Scope
Description
Community navigation, also known as social prescribing, is an approach that uses 'link workers' or 'community navigators' to connect people to the wider community and its offer of activities, groups and services, to best meet their practical, social and emotional needs. Tameside Live Well Community Navigation Service is a new community-sited and community-delivered service to support the health and wellbeing of residents. Its delivery, recruitment, staff training, and allocation and investment of community funds would ideally be managed by an organisation working in and with a good knowledge of the community.
To deliver the aims, vision and objectives set out in the phased 5-year model the council require the provider to have a robust approach to delivery of the service while also being able to fulfil the role of a system leader. This will involve working in close partnership with a range of local stakeholders to lead the work to improve outcomes in Tameside and work towards a more integrated, preventative, neighbourhood-based approach.
Due to the nature of the service and the timescales for mobilisation, the preferred provider will ideally have proven experience of:
• Good working knowledge of Tameside including the population, community assets, underserved groups, partner organisations, local services.
• Good working knowledge of the third sector in Tameside, including challenges
• Previous experience in managing community navigation or similar social prescribing services involving client casework, and the associated systems and pathways
Tender will launch on the 27/01/2026 via www.the-chest.org.uk
Total value (estimated)
- £3,500,000 excluding VAT
- £4,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029
- Possible extension to 30 June 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Optional extension of two years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85100000 - Health services
Contract locations
- UKD - North West (England)
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
27 January 2026
Tender submission deadline
24 February 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tender will launch on the 27/01/2026 via www.the-chest.org.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
2 April 2026
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWB-2493-LWTQ
Tameside One
Ashton under Lyne
OL6 0GS
United Kingdom
Region: UKD35 - Greater Manchester South East
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government