Independent Focus Group Facilitation for Lambeth Voluntary Sector Development

Context:

As the Voluntary & Community Sector emerges from the pandemic, it is increasingly called upon to provide support for residents and communities most affected by the ongoing cost of living crisis. To continue delivery of quality services and to address newer challenges, the Council recognises the VCS itself needs essential infrastructure support. These services are geared to support and sustain VCS groups that delivery services to Lambeth residents.

The current VCS support contract with Integrate Agency CIC comes to an end in April 2024 and the Council will be retendering for new service provision. We want to understand from Lambeth's VCS what support needs should look like to meet future challenges. With the VCS, the Council wants to identify what and how we provide support and resources that will add value to the work of the VCS, and importantly strengthen delivery of shared partnership goals i.e. Lambeth 2030 Borough Plan and VCS Strategy. To this end, it is important to capture insights from those in the VCS that will serve to inform the wider consultation and engagement with other non-VCS stakeholders including the NHS and the funding community.

Requirements:

Lambeth Councils aims to commission a series of independently facilitated focus groups with the VCS that will provide information, data and insights into the needs of the voluntary and community sector. The purpose of these focus groups is to identify potential strategies to support quality service delivery, growth, innovation and sustainability of the VCS in Lambeth.

To achieve this, the researchers will organise and facilitate focus groups:-

x6 existing networks

x6 grassroots groups including Black Asian and Multi Ethnic led groups

Discussions with key stakeholders within the VCS will seek to gain a deeper understanding of the sector's needs, priorities, and opportunities.

The Brief:

A briefing document is attached to this Notice please read this and and prepare a submission based on the key areas addressed in the Requirements.

All submissions must be submitted by 18 January at 12 noon.

Further details are contained within the Briefing Document.

Additional information: This is the Lambeth Borough Plan to 2030