NICE voluntary and community sector forum

Help make a difference on behalf of the people most affected by our recommendations.

The voluntary and community sector forum brings together organisations who want to inform and shape our work. It’s a way for you to share your organisation's views, perspectives and priorities.

With 4 virtual forum meetings held every year, you can contribute in a way that's flexible and convenient for you. We want it to be as easy as possible to slot into your existing work commitments. 

Apply to join the forum

Who can join the forum?

We welcome any voluntary and community sector organisation eligible to be a stakeholder in our work. This includes:

  • national organisations for people who use health and social care services, their families and carers, and the public
  • local Healthwatch organisations and local organisations that have no national group to take part on their behalf.

A maximum of 2 people can join from each organisation. We’re keen to work with those organisations whose works covers health, social care or public health.

To help us improve the quality of our work, it's important that the forum includes a wide range of viewpoints and experiences. We especially welcome organisations working with historically underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ+ people, ethnically diverse groups, and people with disabilities.

What do forum members do?

As a member of the forum, you can:

  • influence and inform our work beyond stakeholder involvement in specific pieces of guidance
  • help to transform the way that we work
  • be involved in the implementation of our 5-year strategy
  • stay informed of our key consultations and developments
  • share information with us and other voluntary and community sector organisations about your organisation’s work and priorities
  • build relationships with other voluntary and community sector organisations, support each other and share your experiences of working with us
  • help us create training on the development and implementation of our guidance, for other voluntary and community sector organisations.

There will be 4 forum meetings each year, but you're not expected to attend every single one. We're unable to offer any payment for your membership.

The forum steering group

We selected a number of voluntary and community sector organisations that reflect the diverse range of people who work with us:

  • Association of Medical Research Charities
  • Cancer52
  • Charity Medicines Access Coalition
  • Genetic Alliance UK
  • Healthwatch England
  • National Voices
  • Patients Association
  • Richmond Group.

We asked these organisations to put forward members for the forum steering group. Members of this group help oversee the forum’s work and engage its members. They work together with the forum on collaborative projects, highlighting any issues that need addressing at a higher level.

The group is co-chaired by a member of the steering group and an executive member of the NICE board. It includes members from our senior management team and the public involvement team.

Upcoming forum meeting dates

  • Monday 19 February 2024, 1pm to 2.30pm
  • Monday 20 May 2024, 10am to 12pm
  • Thursday 12 September, 10am to 1pm (hybrid)
  • Monday 11 November 2024, 10am to 12pm.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, email NICEvcsforum@nice.org.uk.