SCDC is leading on a procurement on behalf East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire District Councils to develop a series of Warm Hubs operated from community buildings across the Districts of East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire this winter (2022) to support vulnerable and isolated people, as well as those on lower incomes.

Therefore SCDC is looking for a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to provide these services.

The aim of the Warm Hub will be to provide support to those most vulnerable this winter to help mitigate the cost of living crisis. The Hubs will offer a warm, friendly and inclusive environment with access to hot food, tea and coffee; somewhere to socialise, take part in activities and receive information on how to reduce bills, access financial support, and stay healthy and well.

The activities we will expect the successful contractor to deliver will be to:
• Identify and train volunteers
• Identify the suitable venues
• Liaise with the Parish councils
• Liaise with extensive network of contacts in the voluntary and statutory sector to identify the cohort of vulnerable people that could be referred to the hubs
• Support the operational running of the hubs
• Support and supervise the staff at the hubs
• Provide day to day management of Staff
• Carry out suitable risk assessment of venue
• Ensure safeguarding policy and training for staff is in place
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the project
• Share learning and outcomes with stakeholders

The project should be led by volunteers from within their communities with the aim of establishing a network of sustainable Warm Hubs across both East and South Cambridgeshire.

The project should be based on strong partnership working, take a place-based approach which brings together communities, health sector, community and local government organisations.