Infrastructure Support Organisation - Preliminary Market Engagement Event

Peterborough City Council is hosting a VCSE Market Engagement Event to support early, transparent engagement with voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations ahead of the future commissioning of VCSE infrastructure support.

This event is not a procurement launch and attendance is not a requirement for any future tender. It is intended to:

- Share the strategic context for VCSE infrastructure support in Peterborough
- Outline the types of services and outcomes the Council is seeking to enable
- Test early thinking with the VCSE market
- Provide an opportunity for VCSE organisations to ask questions, reflect, and shape thinking before any formal process begins


What attendees can expect:

Attendees will:

- Hear an overview of why VCSE infrastructure support is being reviewed and reviewed, including links to prevention, neighbourhood working and system priorities

-Gain clarity on the likely scope of services, including:
--VCSE capacity-building and organisational development
--Governance, safeguarding, and quality support
--Volunteer development and infrastructure
--Intelligence, insight, and learning to support prevention and commissioning
--Understand the anticipated commissioning principles, including openness, fairness, proportionality, and a learning-led approach

Have the opportunity to:
- Ask questions in an open forum
- Share views on what works well now and what could work better
- Highlight risks, opportunities, and practical considerations from a VCSE perspective

No organisations will be asked to submit proposals, pricing, or commitments at this event.

Event details

Date: Tuesday 13 May 2026
Time: 10:00–12:30 (with optional ProContract session to 13:00)
Format: In-person
Location: Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Peterborough, PE2 8TY – Ground Floor conference room.

Accessibility and inclusion:

The Council is committed to ensuring the event is accessible and welcoming:

- The venue will be step-free and wheelchair accessible
- Accessible toilets will be available
- If you have additional access, communication, or dietary requirements, you will be asked to note these when registering so reasonable adjustments can be made.

How to register:

Please use the following Microsoft Forms link to register your attendance: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ZLMn4x4EUUyC8skGp4-cyZnO6-LnfslNrMQgh1kHoflUMEdMWkFEREdKQU1PQ1NQVFFWTEpGTUswRi4u&route=shorturl

Registration deadline: 12th May 2026
Capacity: Places may be capped to ensure a productive session; early registration is encouraged.

Confirmation details, including final timings, room location and travel information, will be sent to registered attendees ahead of the event.

Please note, an expression of interest in this event does not equate to a registration for the event, nor is it considered an expression of interest in any future procurement activity.