VCSE Assembly Hub
Thank you to everyone who attended our VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub on 14th November.
We had attendees from across the VCSE sector, as well representatives from our statutory partners Livewell and Devon Partnership Trust. Guests represented a variety of services covering refugee support, chaplaincy, disordered eating, local mental health support as well as national organisations, and many more in between.
Before diving into the topic of trusted assessments we touched on the Darzi Report and the implications it has for the future – there was optimism from attendees that this would support positive change, with an emphasis on community and preventative activity.
Our focus for the day was trusted assessments and how we can better share information across services to help people get the right support as quickly as possible. This session will be the first in a series of meetings looking to co-produce an agreed approach between the VCSE and statutory services; we’ll be sharing outputs shortly as well as future meetings dates. The session proved hugely useful in capturing challenges people are experiencing as we currently work, and some initial thinking around language, shared assessment forms, training, and common spaces to build relationships between teams.
Keep an eye on our website and newsletter for invitations to the next VCSE Assembly hub and similar events.
About the Mental Health Hub
We know that there are lots of great networks already up and running, so the Devon VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub is not intended to cut across any existing activity. Rather, it will be a collaborative conversation space to meet colleagues from across the VCSE and statutory services with the intention of sharing challenges, best practices and thinking, in the hope that this will organically enable opportunities to improve outcomes for the people we support.
The VCSE Assembly’s Mental Health Hub will meet on a quarterly basis, reporting into the overarching One Devon governance structure to share feedback and recommendations for system change. Whether you’re a grassroots delivery organisation or already work at a more strategic level, everyone is welcome to attend. We recognise the strength and insight that will be gained through the participation of a wide variety of people.
About the Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly
The Devon, Plymouth and Torbay VCSE Assembly is a ‘community anchor’ bringing together independent charities and community-led organisations across the county. Together, we are multi-purpose and aim to provide holistic solutions to local problems and challenges. At a local level, our members are often the driving force in community renewal. We aim to support, complement, and add value to local VCSE networks and partnerships, including Local Care Partnerships.
The Assembly is not a membership organisation — anyone who wants to be involved can be. Instead, we are a space where people, communities, and organisations can contribute and engage in improving how important services are designed and delivered in Devon. For more information, visit the Devon Communities Together website.
If you haven’t already signed up to be a part of the Assembly and receive regular communications, please complete this form. If you have any queries or would like to get involved, please email dptvcseassembly@gmail.com.