Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service - Preliminary Market Engagement

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service Swindon Borough Council invites you to contribute to preliminary market engagement in relation to a Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service and welcomes the views of providers on the questions set out in the accompanying questionnaire. The purpose of this engagement is to gather feedback from the market to help shape the final service specification and commercial model, ensuring the procurement delivers a high-quality, sustainable, and responsive infrastructure support service for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. Service Overview Swindon Borough Council is seeking to commission a provider to deliver a Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service for organisations operating within Swindon. The service will strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and effectiveness of the VCSE sector, enabling organisations to better support residents and communities and contribute to wider system priorities such as prevention, wellbeing, and reducing inequalities. The commissioned service is expected to provide a coordinated and inclusive offer, supporting both established organisations and emerging community groups. Core Service Components The provider may be required to deliver the following elements: • Information, Advice and Guidance Supporting VCSE organisations with governance, legal structures, policies, and operational development. • Organisational Development and Capacity Building Providing tailored support to strengthen leadership, workforce, and organisational resilience. • Funding and Income Generation Support Assisting organisations to access grants, diversify income and improve financial sustainability. • Volunteer Development and Brokerage Supporting recruitment, retention, and good practice in volunteering. • Partnership and Collaboration Development Facilitating networking, partnerships, and collaboration across the VCSE sector and with statutory partners. • Representation and Strategic Voice Ensuring the VCSE sector is effectively represented in local system partnerships and decision-making structures. • Community Development and Engagement Supporting grassroots organisations and enabling community-led activity and participation. Service Aims The overarching aims of the Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service are to: • Strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the VCSE sector • Support organisations to deliver high-quality, inclusive services • Enable effective collaboration between VCSE organisations and public services • Promote community-led approaches and local participation • Contribute to improved outcomes for residents, particularly those facing inequality Key Expectations of the Provider The successful provider will be expected to: • Deliver a coherent, accessible, and inclusive infrastructure support offer • Ensure services are responsive to the diverse needs of the VCSE sector • Provide support that is: o Proportionate and needs-led o Inclusive of small and grassroots organisations o Flexible and adaptable • Demonstrate: o Strong understanding of the VCSE sector o Experience in delivering infrastructure or capacity-building support o Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders • Work collaboratively with: o Swindon Borough Council o Health partners and system stakeholders o VCSE organisations across Swindon Contract Intentions Swindon Borough Council intends to: • Commission a provider to deliver a borough-wide infrastructure support service • Use feedback from this engagement to: o Finalise service design o Refine delivery expectations o Inform the procurement approach Estimated Contract Length and Value The contract term and value are currently under development and will be confirmed as part of the Council’s commissioning and procurement process. Engagement Process To participate in this Preliminary Market Engagement: DN821953 • Suppliers must register on ProContract via: www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk • Suppliers must register an interest to access the PME documentation • Responses to the PME questionnaire must be submitted by: 27th July 2026