Worcestershire Good Neighbour Network

Tender description

Worcestershire Health and Wellbeing Board recognise that having good mental health and wellbeing is fundamental to improving health. This is because how we feel and how we can deal with everyday life, influences all our other health needs. Good mental health is important for growth, development, learning and resilience. The impact of Covid-19 has exacerbated health inequalities and demonstrated the need for a different approach, to tackle health needs e.g., mental health and wellbeing and loneliness and isolation. The Council is seeking services to support people to tackle loneliness and isolation by building community capacity through volunteer-based schemes. In doing so making community assets more accessible to all and providing opportunities for people to connect with others in their community. The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of neighbours helping neighbours, and as a result a number of independent, resident-led voluntary based Good Neighbour Schemes have been established that provide low-level mutual aid to local people. They are an opportunity for people to seek help and volunteer their skills and time in a flexible way to support their neighbours. Currently there are a number of Good Neighbour Schemes running across Worcestershire that offer support for local residents with a range of activities including community transport, befriending, gardening services, litter picking and organising social events for the local community. In Malvern Hills these Good Neighbour Schemes are brought together and supported by a Good Neighbour Network (GNN). The GNN provides a professional network supporting and enhancing these schemes through a number of functions, and by linking into other organisations, community groups and activities. This support builds and enhances these schemes to become valuable community assets and empowers the community to create an environment of sustainable networks where residents are more engaged, connected, and resilient. Worcestershire County Council would like the model of good practice in Malvern Hills to be developed across Worcestershire, so all Good Neighbour Schemes are supported to thrive. This may be through the creation of a GNN or another similar approach which will work best in that area, taking into consideration local needs, resources and existing networks and partnerships. See Appendix 1 Service Specification for full requirements Please read the Tender Guidance in full before attempting to apply All bidders must 'view details' and then 'Opt In' in order to access all documents associated with this tender. The Declaration Form provided must be signed and uploaded at point of submission.