There are strong partnerships between Local Authorities and the local Centre for Voluntary Services
VCSE Response: The Cost of Living Crisis
This page summarises the VCSE activity to address the cost of living crisis in Greater Manchester’s localities. To find support, head to the Cost of Living Support page.
The VCSE Sector in Greater Manchester
The VCSE sector’s role in distributing The Household Support Fund
30+ grants per Local Authority area have been distributed to groups and organisations to enable cash to be available to people at crisis points
Particularly effective at ensuring equity of access for people that often face marginalisation
There’s been significant success in outcomes and delivery
Most areas are on their second round of support and have established mechanisms where there is more government support
Resources provided by the VCSE sector
Food banks and food pantries, increase culturally appropriate food offers. For example, Food Solutions Networks and coordinated activities across food provision.
Winter warmth packs.
Community warehouses, logistical support, bulk purchasing, and home delivery services.
Prepare warm spaces and public living rooms.
Increasing access to welfare advice and funds and partnering up to extend our reach.
Providing multi-lingual welfare advice.
Digital tech and data libraries/banks.
Energy efficiency schemes and support – Groundwork.
Winter volunteering campaigns are active now recruiting additional support.
VCSE managed hardship funds and items available
Migrant Destitution Fund GM
People with no recourse to public funds – Grants are for up to £80 once a month and are typically spent on food, winter clothing, phone credit, travel costs (e.g. to appointments), and dental treatment.
Real Change
Real Change pays for practical items – Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan and Leigh.
Information and signposting
Most CVS’ have Cost of Living signposting resources on their website about local help
Organisations are working with Greater Manchester Poverty Action in many areas to develop, spread and update the signposting referral tool
There are Poverty Truth Commissions, and Lived experience commissioners’ voices in system change in Oldham, Tameside, Manchester, Trafford, Salford
Established and growing social action networks in every area of poverty, which tackle the root causes, and symptoms
Case studies
Macc’s Spirit of Manchester Story week on cost of living a collection of 11 case studies. You can view them here:
Our priorities
A significant amount of VCSE provision is delivered on short-term funding
The scale of demand is too great for current VCSE provision, workforce capacity is stretched and access to money to meet the demand for food etc. We need both small grants and sustainable funding for critical organisations
Inflation costs are affecting what groups can buy and provide for the money they have
Pay reviews for the workforce are squeezing budgets and are not reflected in contract uplifts. NHS pay awards are not passed on to non-NHS providers
Implementing campaigns to increase Real Living Wage across VCFSE
Find out more about the work of the Greater Manchester Local Infrastructure Network
This briefing outlines the vital leadership and delivery role played by the VCSE Local Infrastructure Organisations, the shared challenges in delivering this work, and key messages for the wider system.