Friends in Need to NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB)

NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission a 'Friends in Need' Service. A summary of the purposes and objectives of the services are:-are: - The Friends in Need (FiN) service is a quality driven and accessible peer led community for anyone affected by mental health challenges. In 2016/17 the service was based in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and in 2017/18 the service was expanded to incorporate both Slough and Bracknell & Ascot. Initially the programme was designed primarily to support people affected by isolation and loneliness which often accompanies people suffering from depression and mental health problems. Alongside delivery of the community mental health transformation and formation of our new MHICS (MH integrated community service) teams who support people with more significant mental health needs and co-morbidities such as substance misuse in the community: the scope of FiN has been expanded to ensure people experiencing a wider range of mental health problems (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and social determinants of need can access the hugely impactful groups and support. The over-arching principle of FiN however remains the same as it looks to bring people (regardless of their diagnosis) together to build their own sustainable peer support networks within their local area and online. It enables likeminded people to find friends and activities in their local area and online with the Friends in Need Facebook group. Over the years the Friends in Need network has become a well-regarded and established service amongst the local community with several groups and activities available every day of the week all year around. The Friends in Need group supporting ages 17-25 will continue to develop and support the different needs and peer support requirements of that group which is already seeing activity increasing every quarter. The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Buckinghamshire Mind in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £150,918.50 per annum, total expected spend (including VAT), for the initial three year contract term is £452,755.50. The full lifetime contract value (three years + two year extension) is £754,592.50. The three year contract period will commence on the 01st April 2024. This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.