Last year we ran our first 'Conversations for Change' co-design session with VCSE sector groups & organisations in the county.

The next step in the process is to gather feedback from the sector, so that you can influence the programme design and implementation.

We've created an online survey that should take around 10 minutes to complete. The survey is particularly for VCSE sector team members who are interested in or are responsible for development of frontline staff/volunteers in their group/organisation.

However, we would like to receive feedback from a range of VCSE sector groups/organisations. Therefore, if you do not have a dedicated team member responsible for the development of frontline staff/volunteers, please do complete the survey so that your views are represented.

The survey will close at 5 pm on 14 June 2024. Please complete the survey by clicking on this weblink.

Aggregated and anonymised survey results will be shared with the Project Steering Group including NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and Gloucestershire County Council representatives. You do not need to give your name when completing this survey, however there is an option to share your contact details at the end of the survey.

If you have any queries about the survey, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About 'Conversations for Change'

'Conversations for Change' aims to enable staff members within VCSE sector groups and organisations in the county to open up conversations with inpiduals about health improvements they can make. Recognising that this can be challenging, we're working in partnership with NHS Gloucestershire ICB to develop a series of training and coaching support sessions to enable team members within VCSE sector groups/organisations to be able to have these conversations more effectively.

About our Co-design Session

The first session was hosted by Matt Lennard (Chief Officer, Gloucestershire VCS Alliance) and Caitlin Lord (Project Manager - Healthier Communities & Inpiduals Team, NHS Gloucestershire ICB). During the session the group explored the question “How can we understand and develop the capability of the VCSE Sector workforce, to have conversations that challenge, encourage, and empower people to make positive change?”.

You can download the slides from the first session here. You can also download the session report here.

Background Information

• The 'Problem' - We know that making change in our lives to improve our health and wellbeing can be difficult. Supporting people do that is the role of everyone in the system, enabling people to find their own best solution and giving them the knowledge, tools and encouragement to make important changes in their lives. However workers tell us that talking to someone about their unhealthy behaviours (e.g. smoking, drug or alcohol use or anti-social behaviour) can be difficult as it can feel provocative, judgemental or even hypocritical. This can mean opportunities to help someone recognise a problem, see possibilities, and make change are missed.
• The 'Opportunity' - Coaching approaches and behavioural skills, give workers the conversational tools to feel confident in these difficult situations. It can enable them to have honest, supportive and open conversations, that engage and positively challenge people to make change. Upskilling around these approaches has been running in the ICS for some time, and though VCSE staff have participated, uptake has been predominantly from statutory sector staff. This ICS funded programme aims to develop something similar but bespoke for VCSE staff. This is in recognition of the sectors vital role in supporting inpiduals be active participants in their health and wellbeing and addressing the inequalities that exist across communities around health and wellness.
• Next Steps: Programme Design - The intention is to design a programme with and for the VCSE sector, tailored to that work context. This will consider the aims and particular needs of VCSE staff and volunteers, how to create opportunities for all to participate, and what support is needed to turn this learning into practice.

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Support for the VCSE sector in Gloucestershire

We provide a range of support for VCSE sector groups & organisations of all shapes and sizes in Gloucestershire, including fully funded training & events, a range of thematic mailings, regular news updates, free membership and help recruiting volunteers.

We are the independent voice of the VCSE sector in Gloucestershire and are passionate about promoting equal partnerships at every level. You can find out more about how we work in partnership and represent the sector on our About Us page.