A new consortium of community and voluntary sector organisations has been awarded a contract by Sutton Council to deliver integrated services for information, advice, advocacy and support to residents.
The new consortium, still to be officially named, will come into effect on 1 July. The contract will be for up to seven years and invest over £7 million, enabling the Council and providers to plan more effectively how to meet the new and emerging needs of residents.
The consortium is a partnership of Sutton’s voluntary sector providers passionate about supporting Sutton’s residents. Together they will deliver information, advice, advocacy and support relating to finance and welfare, health and wellbeing and care choices, with the focus on residents only having to tell their story once.
Councillor Marian James, Chair of the People Committee and Voluntary Sector Lead Member, said: “The Making Informed Choices contract builds on our Corporate Plan, Ambitious for Sutton, and has been developed in collaboration with our amazing voluntary sector to help make sure these plans are deliverable.
“This is an exciting and innovative approach to delivering the information, advice, advocacy and support services that residents need. I am truly delighted and can’t wait to see it come to fruition in July.”
The new approach brings together previously separate contracts so that the Council can work more easily with providers to provide a single point of access for all residents.
Simon Breeze, Chief Executive at Community Action Sutton, speaking on behalf of the consortium, said: “The Sutton Voluntary Sector consortium brings together a partnership of community focused and person-centred organisations which are focused on making a difference to people’s lives. Given the current cost of living crisis it is more important than ever to provide services that support residents and that are accessible in the way that best suits their needs.”
