Calderdale's voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector is a vital partner for the successful delivery of our Vision 2024. It supports our three priorities:
- To tackle poverty and inequality.
- Climate action.
- To create sustainable towns across Calderdale.
In February 2023 Cabinet approved proposals to fund the VCSE sector from 2024. This includes contracts to deliver:
- Advice and Information Services.
- Healthwatch and the Independent Health Advocacy Service.
- Voluntary Sector Alliance services.
We will continue our grants for anti-poverty and advice, culture and stronger neighbourhoods.
The plans were informed by input from an external review. The review looked into the funding and impact of the VCSE in Calderdale by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies. The report from this is called 'Measuring the Value of the VCS in Calderdale'.
The findings offer a chance for us to transform our relationship with the sector. Together we will deliver a shared vision for the borough. We intend to offer longer funding to help organisations succeed. It will also help them to plan, lever in external funding and retain skilled staff.
For more details:
Voluntary Sector Commissioning 2024-29
Voluntary Sector Infrastructure (VSI) Services 2025-29
The Council and Integrated Care Board for West Yorkshire (Calderdale Cares) wish to jointly commission Infrastructure services. These are to support and develop the capacity of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector in Calderdale.
Our new VCSE Strategy has been produced by the VCSE sector, health partners and the Council. It was endorsed by our Cabinet on 8th July 2024. It sets out how we aim to ensure a flourishing, sustainable VCSE sector in Calderdale. The strategy has been used to inform the development of the new service specification for the VSI contract.
We consulted on our draft specification for VSI Services from 16th July to 12th August 2024. To see the feedback and our response, please email: grants@calderdale.gov.uk.
The tender was live from 2nd to 30th September 2024. We will publish more details when the procurement process is complete.
Timeline
- Tuesday 16th July 2024 - consultation opens.
- Monday 12th August (12 noon) - consultation ends.
- Monday 2nd September - Open for tender on Yortender.
- Thursday 5th September - Bidders' Day. (Information about the event will be sent out closer to the time.)
- Monday 30th September - Closing for tender.
- Tuesday 1st April 2025 - New contract starts.
Contracts awarded for 2024 to 2029
After the tender process that ended in December 2023, five year contracts from 1st April 2024 have been awarded for:
- Healthwatch to Healthwatch Kirklees.
- Independent Health Complaints Advocacy service to POhWER.
- Advice and Information Services to Calderdale CAB.
Support to apply for public sector contracts
In April 2023, the Government announced the VCSE Contract Readiness Programme. This is a £900,000 support package to aid VCSEs in England to compete for government contracts.
This is delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) in consortium with Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) and Voice4Change England.
The programme includes a hub of resources for VCSEs and public sector commissioners, visit: Public Services Hub (SEUK).
If you are interested and want to sign up, please visit: VCSE Contract Readiness Programme (SSE).
The programme will run until the end of March 2025.