The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in southwest London is forming an alliance as part of the new Integrated Care System (ICS).
 

Across England, the VCSE sector is organising into 42 alliances — one in each ICS area — making it a key player in shaping health and care systems alongside the NHS and local authorities.
 

VCSE alliance leaders commissioned us to engage with local organisations across the six southwest London boroughs. We aimed to share developments, gather insight, and identify what local organisations need from the new alliance.

Here’s what we learned.

Build relationships

Good relationships remain the strongest enabler of successful cross-sector working.

VCSE organisations want:

• Better connections within the sector to collaborate, share ideas and bid together.

• Stronger relationships with the NHS, through:

  • Cross-sector learning events

  • Joint training and induction (VCSE ↔ NHS)

  • Shared workforce development opportunities

  • Shadowing schemes

Build on existing structures

• Organisations want the alliance to build on existing networks rather than duplicate them. That means:

• Creating a joined-up approach

• Reducing duplication

• Ensuring people can feed in issues and ideas without extra meetings

• Local infrastructure organisations are seen as vital conveners and should have a key role in the alliance.

Improve navigation

VCSE colleagues want better tools to understand and navigate the system:

• A visual map of networks and forums

• Clear information on decision-making, board responsibilities, meeting schedules, and outcomes

• Greater transparency on who does what — and why.