Partnership
Supporting the third sector
Partnership
Supporting the third sector
Support in Challenging Times
Leeds VCSE Sector
Overview
VCSE organisations and individuals across Leeds are facing unprecedented challenges — from cost of living pressures to workforce wellbeing.
Doing Good Leeds, Forum Central, and partners have brought together practical guidance, funding information, HR resources and crisis support into one place to help the sector navigate this period.
1. Funding & Organisational Support
The aim of the network is to drive positive change for people with learning disabilities. Forum Central aids this by developing the network of third sector organisations working for positive health and care outcomes for people with learning disabilities in Leeds. This development is facilitated practically by connecting people, sharing information, campaigning, hosting events, networking, representing members and influencing health and care strategies in the city.
Forum Central have built up excellent working relationships with partners in the third sector, with the council, including care management teams and commissioners, and with colleagues from across all areas of health services in the city. We work in ways that ensure people with learning disabilities voices are heard and that services are designed to be person-centred and tailored to priority and individual needs.
Forum Central have built up excellent working relationships with partners in the third sector, with the council, including care management teams and commissioners, and with colleagues from across all areas of health services in the city. We work in ways that ensure people with learning disabilities voices are heard and that services are designed to be person-centred and tailored to priority and individual needs.
Support for Organisations
Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) provides practical support to help you set up, run or grow a group — including help with governance, policies, safeguarding, recruiting trustees and more. You can explore these resources on the Start a group or organisation page.
Funding Help
You can access a regularly updated document of funding opportunities, along with bid-writing guidance and access to the Funding Leeds search tool. More info is available on the Funding and Finance page.
2. Workforce & HR Resources
Forum Central coordinates a range of workforce-related support for third sector organisations, including:
- Quarterly HR Network meetings
- HR guidance, tools and signposting resources
- Newsletters covering leadership, recruitment, and wellbeing
Visit the Workforce HR Network page for access to Padlets, contact info, and thematic resources.
3. Cost of Living & Wellbeing
Support for VCSE Groups
If your organisation is experiencing financial hardship, there’s sector guidance available via NCVO and local support offered through VAL and Forum Central.
- Closure of organisations, groups or longstanding projects
- The National Council for Voluntary Organisations NCVO offers supportive guidance on key steps and processes to follow if you need to close your organisation or group or wind up longstanding projects as well as guidance on common situations faced during closure.
- Cost of living guidance for organisations
- The cost of living crisis is affecting us all. The NCVO offers this help and guidance on leading your organisation through this difficult time.
Support for Individuals
If you’re working with individuals struggling with rising costs, the following resources may help:
- Staff welfare and wellbeing resources
- The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership staff wellbeing hub offers support for organisations in the VCSE sector, including support for staff and volunteers.
- Support and resources for mental health and wellbeing can also be accessed through MindWell.
- Together Leeds – citywide cost of living support
- Welcome Spaces – warm, safe places across Leeds
- Money Buddies – free money advice and advocacy
- MindWell Leeds – mental health and self-help support
4. Signposting & Crisis Response
Forum Central’s Wellbeing Line
Forum Central offers a phone line to help staff and organisations deal with stress, trauma, or wellbeing challenges. This includes:
- Wellbeing check-ins
- Signposting to services
- Short-term therapy referrals
- Support after critical incidents
Please call 0800 183 1488 to request a wellbeing check-in call; to get signposting to self-help resources; ask for information about how to access group support, including critical incident support for people and teams; or referral to 1 to 1 therapy for you and your colleagues.
MindWell is also a key resource with translated content, self-help tools, and crisis information.
Leeds Directory lets people search by postcode for community services — including many Welcome Spaces
5. Networks & Sector Collaboration
Forum Central and VAL both coordinate cross-sector networks that offer peer support, advocacy and shared resources. These include:
- Communities of Interest
- Health and Care Leaders
- Third Sector Workforce HR Network
You can find out more on our Workforce HR Network page.
6. Training & Events
Effective Signposting Training
Forum Central runs regular online training to help frontline staff and volunteers improve how they support individuals with mental health or loneliness.
Ongoing Learning
Both VAL and Forum Central share newsletters, learning opportunities and events across the year.
