Arden & GEM is delighted to have been named as a finalist at the UK National Go Public Procurement Awards 2019/20 in the ‘Social and Community Benefit in Procurement’ category.
The shortlisted project, which was run in collaboration with NHS Wolverhampton CCG and Social Finance on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, successfully appointed providers for the West Midlands ‘Thrive into Work’ programme.
Thrive into Work is a ground-breaking trial that is testing whether a new personalised employment support service improves outcomes for people with a health condition by supporting them into good quality employment. Despite general unemployment falling in the West Midlands, unemployment among people with health conditions is rising in each local authority area. There are at least 125,000 people who are out of work with a disability or health issue while evidence clearly demonstrates that appropriate and fulfilling work can help people to better manage their condition, gain independence, build support networks and improve their general health and wellbeing.
Arden & GEM’s procurement team was tasked with finding providers for the programme, who could support individuals across this broad geography. The CSU designed and delivered the full procurement, on behalf of a large group of stakeholders, in just four months. Contracts worth £6.5m were successfully awarded and the new service, which went live in May 2018, has already engaged 700 people with 50% randomised into the treatment group. The trial hopes to support over 1,000 people with health issues and disabilities into work to deliver a positive return on investment.
"It is a privilege to have been a named a finalist for these prestigious awards. The Thrive into Work programme is ground-breaking trial which has brought together a range of national and regional partners to make a real difference for people with mental and physical health conditions who are out of work."
Mike Barlow, procurement manager at Arden & GEM
Celebrating excellence in public procurement, the UK National GO Awards winners will be announced in a ceremony on Tuesday 30 April, taking place at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham.
To view the full list of finalists, click here.