Outreach and Befriending Older People's Preventative Service

The Integrated Commissioning Department of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) and Westminster City Council (WCC) have appointed Octavia Foundation PLC to deliver a community-based outreach and befriending service.

The pandemic has and will continue to present challenges with regard to isolation in older people. Outreach and Befriending has and will become more vital in getting the correct support to individuals as a means to prevent acute situations and ensure older people feel valued and connected with the community and outside world. This service will reach out and support a diverse range of people and the Contractor will be required to report on demographics and how they are aiming to increase equality of access for those most in need. The Contractor will meet the language and cultural needs of service users by working with a broad range of volunteers. Service provision will therefore contribute in tackling the health inequalities that exist in BAME communities.

The Contract will be for an initial period of 18 months, with the option to extend for a further 6 month period. During this term services will be redesigned following significant changes caused by the pandemic, and a competitive procurement exercise will be undertaken for future service provision which continue to meet the needs of residents.