Health and Wellbeing Network
The VCFSE Health and Wellbeing network is one of a number of specialist networks facilitated by Community Action Suffolk for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Suffolk. This network complements our Health and Wellbeing work.
News and information about health issues in Suffolk
Our VCFSE Health and Wellbeing network supports the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board representatives (see below). Its regular meetings allow you to have direct input to Suffolk’s Health and Wellbeing Board agenda. We send a monthly Health and Wellbeing newsletter to the network providing updates on national, regional and local policies, changes to county services and news about other meetings and forum.
There is a complex web of partnerships and forums in Suffolk, which oversee services addressing health and wellbeing. CAS seeks to draw information from them, to champion VCFSE representation and open up discussion.
How to join the VCFSE Health and Wellbeing network
This network is open to all VCFSE sector organisations. You will receive email updates when we have relevant news and information to share and occasional updates if urgent items need circulating, including a monthly Health and Wellbeing newsletter. You will receive agendas and notes for the Health and Wellbeing network meetings. The network meets in advance of Health and Wellbeing Board.
Purpose of the Health and Wellbeing network
- To provide a reference group for the VCFSE sector representatives on the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board and other key strategic health meetings e.g. Alliance, ICS Board – providing feedback on the Board agenda
- To provide a forum in which to raise issues for VCFSE sector organisations around health and wellbeing
- A place in which to engage with key partner agencies who offer services and activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Suffolk residents
The network also invites guests around specific issues and updated information. Last year there were presentations on the Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy, Suffolk All Age Carers Strategy, ICA Delivery Plan, Better Care Fund etc.
Meetings for the VCFSE Health and Wellbeing network
2026 Meetings
- Wednesday 14 January 2026 – 12.30pm via teams
- Wednesday 11 March 2026 – 3.00pm via teams
- Monday 6 July 2026 – 9.30am via teams
VCFSE representation at other strategic meetings
| Name | VCFSE Representative | What it does? | Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) Suffolk and North East Essex (covers West Suffolk, Ipswich/ East Suffolk & NE Essex) VCFSE Assembly Chair | Hannah Reid Kirsten Alderson | An Integrated Care Partnership joins up all parts of the health and care system including GPs, hospitals, community care and social care as well as physical and mental health services. | Our partnership includes all NHS organisations within the system, local government, other health sector bodies, local hospices, ambulance service and other community and voluntary sector organisations. Leadership for the system is drawn from across these local stakeholders. https://www.candohealthandcare.co.uk/about-us/integrated-care-systems/ |
| Ipswich and East Suffolk Alliance | Kirsten Alderson | Transformation and integration of health and social care | Ipswich Hospital; Suffolk County Council; Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust and Suffolk GP Federation, working with Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG http://www.ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/Home.aspx |
| West Suffolk Alliance | Jon Neal and Hannah Reid | Our belief is that by working together in an Alliance we can have an impact on wellbeing, care and physical and mental health outcomes for people. | Suffolk County Council West Suffolk Foundation Trust The Suffolk GP Federation Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (mental health services) West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group https://www.westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/ |
| Integrated Care System (ICS) Norfolk and Waveney | Norfolk and Waveney VCFSE Assembly Chair – Emma Ratzer | Integrated working across physical, social and mental health, delivering holistic care, improved patient experience and better outcomes. | Information on partners see link below: https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/stps/view-stps/norfolk-and-waveney/ |
| VCFSE Assembly Steering Group Norfolk and Waveney | Hannah Reid | Strengthen the relationships between the broad range of voluntary, community and social enterprise groups and organisations operating across Norfolk and Waveney, with local health and social care commissioners and providers. | Voluntary Norfolk, Momentum, Community Action Norfolk, Community Action Suffolk and the statutory partners of the Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care. https://www.norfolkandwaveneypartnership.org.uk/our-work/system-transformation/voluntary-sector-assembly |
| Suffolk Mental Health Collaborative | Jon Neal | The Suffolk Mental Health Committee has existed for a while but there are plans to move to a new model – the Suffolk Mental Health Collaborative. As a system it has been agreed that the Collaborative: • Is decision making • A system forum • All age • End to end spanning prevention through to secondary care • Will initially be convened by the SNEE ICB • Core membership will be relatively small but will include VCFSE • Will develop over time and in phases • Pay careful attention to culture and values • Will be innovative |
Contact Information
Hannah Reid, CAS Chief Executive
Email: [email protected]
Warren Smyth, Chair – VCFSE Health and Wellbeing Network
Email: [email protected]
Alice Wade, Deputy Director of Operations & Business Development
Email: [email protected]
VCFSE sector representation on the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board
Your VCFSE sector representatives are elected by VCFSE sector representatives sit on the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board for three years.
Board Member: Warren Smyth (Abbeycroft Leisure)
[email protected]
Deputy Board Members: Jon Neal (Suffolk Mind) and Carol Eagles (Citizens Advice West Suffolk)
Resources
Latest report – Ageing well in Suffolk 2024
‘To meet the needs of our ageing population, we must move beyond outdated stereotypes and shift the narrative. It’s essential to address the wide-ranging experiences of older adults and create a Suffolk that is truly age-friendly, where healthy ageing is actively supported and celebrated. This aligns with our Public Health and Communities ambition to promote ageing well across the county.’
Stuart Keeble: Director of Public Health.
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) assesses the health needs of Suffolk’s population to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. The JSNA underpins the work of the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board.
Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022 – 2027
‘Preparing for the Future’ – at the heart of our strategy is the necessity of working together if we are to attain better population health.
My Health, Our Future (MHoF) 2024
‘More than 9,000 young people took part in the survey in 2024. They responded to questions about many different things affecting their lives, including about witnessing sexual harassment, sleep, feelings of safety at school or college, body image and their eating habits.’
Healthwatch Suffolk.
Suffolk Dementia Strategy 2024-2029
The vision of the Suffolk Dementia Strategy is to create a society without stigma, where people with dementia feel safe in the knowledge that responsive services are based on an understanding of their needs and empowered to access information, advice, guidance, and support which is readily available whenever they or their families need it.
Suffolk Voluntary and Statutory Partnership – working together for better Mental Health. The welcoming Locality VASP groups meet regularly, each led by a voluntary chair(s), to help the staff and volunteers in local groups and services to share news about help with mental health and wellbeing, and to be discussing related issues of local interest.
Suffolk All Age Carers Strategy 2022-2027
Suffolk’s first All Age Carers’ Strategy has been co-produced with carers at the very centre
of each stage.
Suffolk All Age Carers Strategy – 2025 update
The State of the Sector Report 2023
Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JLHWS) Mid-Strategy Review 2025
