How will systems bid for further funding in years 2 and 3?

27th November 2019

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For year 1 of this programme (2019/20) all STP/ICSs, that wished to engage with this programme, received the same level of non-competed funding. As well as collective support to help systems to scope, design and plan for integrated volunteering approaches that support health and care priorities and improved health outcomes.

We know that systems are at different stages with their development and thinking in volunteering – this is evident from the expressions of interest that we received.

Our ambition, as we move into year 2, will be to ensure firstly that all systems continue to engage with the programme, remain part of the learning and sharing network and benefit from the support, tools and resources that come available across the life of this programme. Whether they receive additional funding or not.

However, in year 2 we intend to further develop our relationship with selected systems to really explore the potential of system supported integrated volunteering approaches. We want to reassure you all that year 2 of this programme is not about systems having fully worked up plans and proposals ready to implement on 1st April 2020.

For this reason, we want to remain flexible in our approach to the funding available in year 2. As part of their year 1 reports, which are expected to be submitted in February of 2020, all systems will outline and explain what they intend to do in the year ending 31st March 2021. We anticipate a range of scenarios such as:

  • fully worked up plans for implementation from April 2020 onwards
  • defining and refining emergent plans which may require some seed funding to enable them to move towards their integrated volunteering ambitions
  • deferring implementation of volunteering approaches to align with other programmes due to the integrated nature of their approach
  • or continuing to refine and develop their scoping activity in light of learning during the first part year. Recognising they may not yet be ready to move forward into the implementation phase.

In year 2 systems that wish to be considered for further funding will need to provide detailed costs of their planned activity with defined outcomes and milestones for payments based on what systems need. Bids can be for any amount up to a maximum of £150,000 but there is a limited budget available so not all systems can receive additional funding in year 2. Systems do not have to bid for the maximum amount – the amount bid for should be appropriate for the stage of development each system’s programme is in.

We are not seeking to reward ‘frontrunners’, who were ahead of the game in their thinking, but to open up the opportunity for all systems to be eligible to be considered to receive further funding, subject to availability, and ongoing support from our delivery partner, Helpforce, to integrate volunteering approaches as part of system transformation. Priority in year 2 will be given to those systems that can demonstrate strong integration, potential impact on health outcomes and LTP priorities, sustainability into the future and how the approaches being pursued can help to reduce health inequalities.

These, and other programme related practical criteria, will ensure that all systems can have a fairhave fair opportunity to be considered for further funding in year 2, so don’t panic if you feel you are still at the bottom of Everest. We want to help some of you set off to the top and we’ll be happy to help some of you to get to base camp!

Our approach to systems receiving funding into year 3 will be managed similarly and please be aware that if your system receives funding in year 2 it does not mean you will automatically receive funding in year 3. We will consider applications for funding in year 3 against relevant criteria at that time as we shift our focus in the programme to share learning, spread, scale and sustainability.

Active engagement in sharing learning throughout the programme will stand all systems in good stead for continuing to be supported through the programme.