VAST’s strategic liaison role acts as a channel between voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations and key partners, including integrated care systems, local government and others. This is achieved with:

Voice – We know that the VCSE sector are well placed to play an active role in improving health and wellbeing for our local population, so we amplify the voice of the sector and people with lived experience – a stronger voice at a timely point, ensuring local organisations can contribute to discussion and influence decisions.

Community – We know that the VCSE sector are best placed to understand their local community and so can help deliver the best quality services for local people. We support a two-way flow of information between VCSE sector organisations and strategic partners and establish positive working relationships with stakeholders.

Connection – Cross sector working has never been more needed to support our communities.  We act at this strategic interface, establishing the links between workstreams and representing the VCSE sector at strategic meetings. We support the VCSE sector to understand and respond to the challenges and strategic priorities of our statutory partners.

Collaboration – By working together we achieve more than we can individually. These links enable working better together in partnership and collaboration to best serve the local population and coproduce solutions to improve health and wellbeing in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.

Communication – Through our strategic liaison function we share information and act as a communication link. We keep you informed on the local landscape and national policy developments that may impact on commissioning, tendering and contracts or have a relevance to your organisation. We increase awareness of the key drivers, levers and opportunities that can enable a more joined up, collaborative system.

For more information on Strategic Health Liaison contact us.