ASC0284 – Community Connectors Service

Leicester City Council (‘the ‘Authority’) invited Tenders for the provision of the Community Connectors Service, which will focus on six of the more disadvantaged areas of the city whose residents also report higher levels of social isolation. The Community Connectors (a team of local area co-ordinators) will work within the six selected areas of the city.

The Community Connectors will take a community centred (i.e. Asset Based Community Development based or similar) approach to build confident and connected communities with the aims of reducing isolation and loneliness, improving physical and mental health and reducing health inequalities. The Service will take a holistic approach to addressing isolation and loneliness, ensuring that, in addition to organising social activities and events, people are gently supported and encouraged to make other changes leading to better health and wellbeing and greater social inclusion.

The Authority conducted this procurement under the Light Touch Regime for Social and Other Specific Services, as set out in the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR), at Section 7 (Regulations 74 to 77) and Schedule 3. The procurement process was not conducted under the Public Contract Regulations 2015; however, it was similar to that of an Open procedure. The Process did, unlike an Open Procedure, include the flexibility, as allowed under the Light Touch Regime with various evaluation stages as detailed in the Invitation to Tender documentation.