NHS and VCFSEs in Cheshire and Merseyside to co-design new collaboration agreement
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Work is underway between the NHS and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Cheshire and Merseyside to jointly develop a new collaboration agreement, reinforcing their shared commitment to strengthening partnership working for the benefit of their local communities.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is being jointly developed by the integrated care board (ICB) and the VCFSE sector and will set out shared principles, mutual expectations and clear ways of working, which recognise the VCFSE sector’s distinct role, independence and value as a strategic partner within the health and care system.
The agreement will align with the national Civil Society Covenant and build on longstanding collaboration between the NHS and VCFSE sector across Cheshire and Merseyside, providing a stronger, more consistent foundation for joint decision-making, service design and system leadership.
Sir David Henshaw, Chair of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“Improving health outcomes and tackling inequalities across Cheshire and Merseyside depends on strong, trusted partnerships with the VCFSE sector. This MoU reflects our shared ambition to work together as equal partners, drawing on the strengths and leadership of both the NHS and civil society.
“By developing this agreement together, we are reinforcing our commitment to collaboration that is fair, transparent and focused on the needs of our communities.”
The MoU will support VCFSE leadership and involvement at all levels of the system, ensuring sector expertise and community insight influence priorities, commissioning, service design and long-term strategy.
Warren Escadale, Chief Executive of VSNW and VCFSE representative on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Board, said:
“This MoU represents the next step in a mature and productive partnership between the VCFSE sector and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, built over many years of joint working for the benefit of our communities.
“By developing this agreement together, we are reinforcing our shared commitment to collaboration, mutual respect and collective leadership. It builds on the work of the Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE Alliance and our Health and Care Transformation Programme, and will help ensure our partnership remains ambitious, coordinated and impactful as we continue to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes.”
The MoU will be developed through a sector-wide, collaborative process involving VCFSE organisations and health and care partners across Cheshire and Merseyside.
As part of this, VCFSE organisations and partners are invited to complete a survey to help shape its content and priorities. Responses will directly influence what the agreement includes and how partnership working is strengthened across the region. The survey can be completed at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/23SLLCT