Provision of Community and Voluntary Service

Lot 1

Infrastructure in the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE) - Sustainability, Growth, Partnership & Volunteering.

The provider will establish a clear and robust Governance structure for the sector that is representative and accountable for all. As a representative for communities, organisations and the system the primary role will be to act on behalf, in partnership and collaboratively with community organisations. The strategic lead will co-design and co-produce a range of initiatives that put local people at the heart of the provision, whilst bringing stakeholders and the wider sector on board to respond to needs in our communities. They will also provide organisational support, capacity building and training initiatives that equip local people and primarily small grassroots VCSE organisations with the tools they need to respond to needs in our communities so that they may thrive and grow.

The provider will also be the strategic lead on a Citywide Structured and Supported Volunteering Programme which raises the profile of volunteering in the City, and embeds a City offer that enables local people wishing to volunteer to gain access to face to face and digital resources to easily navigate their way to a suitable role and support organisations to create, develop and grow their own volunteer programmes.

Lot 2

Welfare, Debt, Housing and Benefits Advice

The benefits system is complex and can be difficult to understand. Residents need different levels of support to understand what they are entitled to, or to complete forms with full and accurate information. The emphasis for this provider is a proactive and immediate response where required to people in crisis, support to maximise income and resilience, prevention of adverse repercussions, stabilisation and management of life's challenges, progression towards better life chances.

The Provider will take the lead in delivering a suite of community-based services offering advice, information, practical help and support (including initiatives encouraging self-help and resilience building) to some of the City's most vulnerable people in the areas of welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment and welfare advice.