This strategy was developed between October 2023 and April 2024 which was a challenging time for the Council and the VCSE sector.
VCSE groups are facing reduced public sector funding, rising costs, and growing demand for services. Staff shortages, lower pay, and fewer volunteers have added to the pressure. Organisations have responded creatively with mutual aid, partnerships, and fundraising.
Over the next few years, we are creating opportunities across Calderdale which should enable the VCSE to flourish:
- Calderdale Council and West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) have pledged to support local groups and strengthen communities. This is in line with the ‘Keep it Local’ principles.
- The Community Anchor Policy was developed in 2016 to support partnership working with the VCSE sector.
- The Council and West Yorkshire ICB are designing person-centred services in collaboration with the VCSE sector.
- The Council are working with North Halifax Partnership (NHP) and Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT) to deliver the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This aims to boost health and wellbeing through community-led approaches. We are hopeful that these approaches will be rolled out across other areas of work across Calderdale towns and neighbourhoods.
- More local community organisations have taken over buildings and facilities through a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). This creates new opportunities in towns and neighbourhoods, including volunteering, enterprise and service delivery. Calderdale Council is reviewing the ‘Community Management of Assets Policy’. This aims to ensure these approaches are more sustainable in the future.
- The Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) is working closely with funders to increase investment in Calderdale and celebrate impact.
- The Cohesion Strategy for Calderdale values the role of the VCSE sector and volunteering in building social cohesion.
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A 2021 survey by Belong, ‘Beyond Us and Them’, showed Calderdale has higher rates than other parts of the UK for:
- Social connection
- Neighbourliness
- More volunteering
- Trust in local government and institutions.
The report showed that Calderdale could benefit from a more joined up approach to volunteering across the borough.
- The Council and West Yorkshire ICB have committed to a 5-year contract for the re-commissioning of the Voluntary Sector Infrastructure (VSI) contract.