Closing the Gap 2 - Market Engagement Nov 24

Closing the Gap (CTG) is a contract opportunity for providers to deliver preventative community-based services.

The current contracts are due to end on 31st October 2025, and we plan to re-procure early 2025 to start the new contracts on the 1st November 2025.

Engaging with providers is a key part of developing what Closing the Gap 2 will look like. As such, we are holding an engagement session to gather views, with more sessions to take place over the coming months.

Our next engagement session will take place as part of Reading Voluntary Action's (RVA) Voluntary Care Sector Assembly:

o 9:45am - 12:45pm, Victoria Hall, Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street Reading RG1 1QH.

o Prospective providers are invited to help shape the offer to meet local needs and find potential partners.

o Book on Eventbrite: Reading VCS Assembly - Making the case for prevention Tickets, Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 9:45 AM | Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-vcs-assembly-making-the-case-for-prevention-tickets-1036646316037?aff=oddtdtcreator

For Closing the Gap 2, the contract outcome areas below have been identified, but to note these are high-level, indicative, and subject to change. We still have a way to go, such as being approved via the Council's governance channels.

They have been shaped by learning from the current Closing the Gap services, a Needs Analysis, feedback from stakeholders, a working group of cross-council colleagues and external stakeholders and consultations with funding stakeholders regarding alignment to funding outcome requirements.

Proposed contract outcome areas:

• Carers' Information & Advice Service,

• VCS Infrastructure Support,

• Ageing Well,

• Women's Wellbeing,

• Mental Health,

• Support with building resilience, independence, and wellbeing within diverse communities,

• Learning Disabilities & Autism,

• Supporting people to get out and stay out of poverty,

• Refugee Support,

• Young People's Mental Health,

• Men's Mental Health,

• Sensory Needs,

• LGBTQ+,

• HIV Support.

PIN expires 18.11.24