Voluntary Community Services

Medway Council and NHS Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (the Commissioners) are committed to procuring a high quality, effective and outcome focused service that provides value for money. We want a new model of working that ensures key health and social care priorities are addressed by the best placed organisations.

This specification describes what commissioners want to achieve from a new service delivery model for key functions, some of which need to be delivered as part of the council’s legal obligations. These include ‘Healthwatch’, ‘Information, Advice and Guidance’ (IAG), ‘Infrastructure’, ‘Carers’ Support Services’, and ‘Welfare, Debt and Advice Support Services’. It sets out how commissioners believe these functions are best delivered.

There are a diverse range of community organisations, voluntary bodies, faith groups and neighbourhood groups that make up the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Medway. The VCS helps people develop skills to create new opportunities, tackle inequalities, promote leadership, and support cohesion within communities while helping to improve the quality of life for residents.

There is a specific need to address the needs of working age adults with a disability, people with early signs of mental health illnesses and older people beyond standard health and social care provision and consider the wider social determinants of health and well-being.

It is crucial that volunteers are well supported and made aware of volunteering opportunities and appreciated for the social value they contribute to communities.

To deliver change, a high performing and joined up VSC is essential in Medway. Services must be able to meet and support Medway’s residents; providing support in the right place, with the right information at the right time.

Commissioners are committed to developing the Medway VCS ‘Better Together’ Consortium to ensure VCS organisations work collaboratively and proactively to ensure the right service, advice and information is available to support this agenda.