Background to the role The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector is an integral part of local health and care systems. VCSE organisations deliver key services that support the health and wellbeing of the population. In addition, they contribute vital insight and intelligence on the needs of the people and communities they engage with and are frequently a route to engaging with communities themselves. There is a drive through Buckinghamshire’s local mental health partnership forum to replicate and build upon the successes of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) VCSE Health Alliance and the Buckinghamshire VCSE Mental Health Response Group that was established at the start of the Covid pandemic. Community Impact Bucks has been commissioned by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust to: increase the awareness of VCSE organisations that deliver support to people who have or are at greater risk of poor mental health, with a focus on community Opportunity Bucks wards and health inequalities bring those organisations together through an alliance-based approach and help build relationships between the NHS and VCSE that ensure sustainable mental health services are provided to the people of Buckinghamshire. About you You will bring passion and energy to make a difference to mental health partnerships in Buckinghamshire. You will enjoy bringing people together, building consensus and bridging differences in organisational culture and power. A natural collaborator, you will have the ability to establish credibility and maintain relationships with colleagues from front line staff to very senior stakeholders. You will have a clear understanding of the role and potential of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector within the health and social care system, and an awareness of the local, regional and national health and care agenda from a VCSE perspective. Key responsibilities Provide VCSE representation, attending and presenting to Integrated Care System/Integrated Care Partnership (ICS/ICP) Board meetings, events and other information sharing forums. Enable and co-ordinate other VCSE leaders to represent the sector at such meetings. Advocate for the VCSE sector, encouraging ICS partners to consider new and innovative approaches to working closely with the sector to support the mental health needs of people of all ages in Buckinghamshire. Undertake and maintain mapping to identify and engage VCSE organisations supporting people with mental ill health or improving mental health outcomes, including through addressing inequalities and the wider determinants of mental health. Develop and provide mechanisms for VCSE partners to collaborate on addressing shared priorities in relation to poor mental health, with alignment to the work of the BOB VCSE Alliance and with health and care strategies and plans. Build VCSE organisations’ capacity to take part in procurement and/or bid opportunities, including short-term opportunities and more sustained activities, working with partners and national bodies to identify additional opportunities and resources, and drafting bids if required. Lead the design, delivery and evaluation of the project, ensuring it meets contractual obligations, operates within budget and achieves the desired impact. Key requirements Experienced in working with the VCSE sector, ideally in the context of improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes. A track record of successful partnership working and relationship building with key stakeholders within the health and care system and VCSE sector. Ability to assimilate complex information quickly and communicate (written and verbal) effectively with multiple stakeholders. Excellent persuasion, influencing and negotiation skills. Good analytical skills and a practical approach to problem-solving. Competent user of databases and the Microsoft suite of software. Either Full British driving licence and access to private means of transport or ability to demonstrate how you will meet this requirement. Available to work evenings and weekends when necessary (in accordance with our Time Off In Lieu Policy) About Community Impact Bucks Community Impact Bucks is a local charity that enables people and organisations to get involved in voluntary and community action, helping to build strong and vibrant communities across Buckinghamshire. We help Bucks charities by offering advice and guidance on all aspects of running a not-for-profit organisation in Buckinghamshire. We build collaborative partnerships between Bucks charities, communities and key organisations and networks within Buckinghamshire and Thames Valley. We help people find volunteer roles in Buckinghamshire through Volunteer Bucks, our online platform. We support Buckinghamshire’s residents and communities directly to help people stay connected and live independently in their homes. Established in its current form in 2010, and with nearly 50 years' history of supporting communities in Buckinghamshire, Community Impact Bucks is at the heart of the charity, voluntary and community sector in the county. Our team is working on a hybrid basis - mainly from home, but with access to the office when needed. Our office in Weston Turville, Aylesbury has free parking and good bus links. Diversity & Inclusion Community Impact Bucks is committed to challenging inequality and values the diversity of our communities in Buckinghamshire. We recognise that reflecting that diversity will only ever make our organisation better. We work to ensure an inclusive culture where colleagues feel welcomed and supported to succeed and thrive. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from under-represented communities.