Dorset Innovation Hub (DIH), in partnership with BCP Council, recently convened a pivotal development day to map out strategic priorities for 2026/27, with a strong emphasis on fostering collaboration with Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. The event underscored the DIH’s commitment to driving innovation in Dorset by leveraging the expertise and reach of local VCS groups.
The development day served as a platform to refine priority projects and identify key areas for service development. A central theme was the importance of aligning VCS initiatives with the DIH’s strategic goals, creating opportunities for synergistic partnerships that benefit the entire community.
Key Highlights and Opportunities for VCS Engagement:
- Strategic Alignment: The DIH’s focus on priority projects and service development presents a clear pathway for VCS organisations to align their initiatives and contribute to the DIH’s overarching goals.
- Project Support: The DIH is actively supporting key projects such as Nutrition in Ageing People and FeNO implementation. VCS organisations can explore opportunities to complement these initiatives and enhance their effectiveness.
- Community of Practice: The DIH’s Community of Practice (CoP) events, including upcoming sessions on data storytelling, offer valuable opportunities for VCS organisations to enhance their impact measurement and communication skills.
- Service User Representation: With a revised approach to service user representation being developed in partnership with Dorset VCSA, VCS organisations will play a crucial role in ensuring that the voices of service users are heard and valued within the DIH.
- Communication and Collaboration: The DIH is developing communication materials, including an elevator pitch video and resources to promote common language, to facilitate effective collaboration and communication with VCS partners.
- Innovation Summit 2027: Planning is underway for an Innovation Summit in June 2027, providing a platform for VCS organisations to showcase their innovative approaches and network with key stakeholders.
- Training Opportunities: Keep an eye out for the new training course being developed: ‘Innovation for Improvement in Health and Social Care’ (level 7) as a MOOC.
About the Dorset Innovation Hub:
The hub is one of 4 designated Health Foundation Innovation Hubs in the United Kingdom. The innovation hub is hosted by NHS Dorset ICB as a centralised service, and is overseen by a programme group of 13 partners: primary, community secondary and social care, academia, innovation, research, economy, industry and with patient and public involvement and engagement.
Our small team support staff to use new innovations to support patients and our service users.