Background

All areas in England are now covered by Integrated Care Systems, bringing together local NHS services, local councils, and voluntary organisations to meet the health and care needs of their communities.

We need to make sure that the strategy addresses what communities have been saying matters to them, to understand what will practically help all our communities to live longer, healthier and happier lives and to understand what is currently stopping people from living a healthy life.  

Fundamental ICS purposes are to: 

• Improve outcomes in population health and healthcare,
• Tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience, and access,
• Enhance productivity and value for money,
• Help support broader social and economic development.

Within the ICS is a formal partnership made up of all NHS, Councils, voluntary organisations and Healthwatch, this partnership is the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Partnership (ICP). https://youtu.be/Lm6jspuNF9M

What is the Opportunity and what is the Timescale?

The ICP are running an engagement programme during October and November 2022 to inform a ten-year masterplan/strategy, as part of this there is an opportunity for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE) organisations and groups across Birmingham and Solihull to undertake conversations with their communities that will:

• Ensure representation from and the voice of local people and communities around the implementation of the strategy
• Gather intelligence about the experiences and aspirations of people who use local services

Partners within the health and care system want to hear from citizens within our diverse communities across Birmingham and Solihull, particularly those who are marginalised or at risk of marginalisation, and are seldom heard and seldom seen. 

Funding is £750 per organisation/group.  Engagement activity will take place during November 2022 – you do not have to do continuous engagement throughout the month, it could be several days focused on having conversations with your communities and capturing feedback.

What will be required of organisations and groups?

Funding is available for 18 VCFSE organisations / groups to engage with the communities you support through mechanisms that you deem appropriate, to capture the views and challenges of your community so that these insights can influence how the ICS Strategy is effectively implemented.

Engagement can be using existing structures/activities to have conversations with your communities or holding specific meetings or an event. 

Support provided and reporting requirements

A training session will be made available to all organisations, to ensure that they are fully briefed and understand the ask, and will give the opportunity to ask any questions.

Feedback from engagement activity should be submitted using the online portal. If alternative reporting mechanisms are required, then we can discuss what will work for you and your community. Returns will need to be submitted as soon as possible after the engagement activity, but at the very latest by 5pm Wednesday 7^th December 2022.

How do we apply to take part?

Please send the completed Expression of Interest form by email to [email protected] by 5pm Friday 28^th October if you wish to be considered.

We will notify you by email within 7 days if you are successful.