Market Engagement for Provision of Voluntary Organisations in Slough and Advice and Information:

The Council recognises the preventative value of services delivered through Voluntary Organisations for people in Slough. We also recognise the need to provide excellent infrastructure and capacity building services to facilitate development – not just for existing groups but for those wishing to set up and make a difference in their community. This includes the recruitment and retention of trained volunteers to support both ongoing activities, as well as being able to respond to new need in a responsive and supported way.We will be shortly seeking tenders from suitably experienced providers to facilitate the further development of local voluntary and community groups in Slough.The provider will work collaboratively with Slough’s front line services, residents and community leaders to develop and promote a market of voluntary organisations and cohort of volunteers that will support the needs of the area.The provisional scope includes:• The development of a universally accessible Directory of Services• The development of an up-to-date and well -promoted volunteer matching service• Oversight and administration of the Slough Community fund• Co-location of staff within statutory services to prevent people entering services unnecessarily. Additional information: The provisional scope of voluntary services includes but is not limited to:Young carer’s supportYouth servicesVulnerable families supportIsolation and loneliness reductionTransportImmigration and Asylum seeking.Supporting Social Care services.

The provision of timely Advice and Information is an essential component to support independent living and its provision is underpinned by The Care Act 2014.We will be shortly seeking tenders from suitably experienced providers to ensure the people of Slough have easy access to accurate advice in a range of settings, both online and in person, covering a range of issues, delivered by appropriately trained and experienced employees and volunteers. The interventions may include casework as appropriateThe provisional scope includes:• Income maximisation and benefit information• Cost of living • Relationships. Additional information: This market engagement event does not represent a formal commitment by the Council to undertake a procurement procedure. However, please note that following this market engagement event, Slough Borough Council may wish to go out to the market on the SE Shared e-sourcing portal https://www.sesharedservices.org.uk