Groundwork Northamptonshire has been confirmed as the lead provider for a new collaboration – Aspire NN – between North Northamptonshire Council and the voluntary sector. The new contract will provide infrastructure support to the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across North Northants.
The VCSE sector provides valuable support to people across North Northamptonshire and in February 2024, Executive approved the North Northamptonshire Council Council Communities Strategy 2024-2027 and announced a £600,000 investment into VCSE Infrastructure across North Northamptonshire over a three-year period.
Following a robust procurement process, Groundwork Northamptonshire have been appointed as the lead provider in a new VCSE collaboration for North Northamptonshire.
Groundwork Northamptonshire will now work alongside five other organisations who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to deliver support to community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises across North Northamptonshire.
The collaborative leadership between Groundwork and five other key partners based in North Northamptonshire include Support Northamptonshire, Volunteer Action, North Northants Social Enterprise Network, Serve and Northamptonshire Acre.
Cllr Mark Rowley, the council’s Executive Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we have always worked closely with the partners and the voluntary sector to ensure everyone has the best quality of life possible. It is hoped that this new collaboration will further grow on the work that has already been started across North Northants – creating a different and refreshed offer that is rooted in sustainability, trust, need and makes a genuine impact.”
Kate Williams, Executive Director of Groundwork Northamptonshire said:
“Groundwork Northamptonshire are thrilled with this decision, we have worked hard to build a robust partnership that will support strong, dynamic and sustainable change for the VCSE sector. Now, more than ever, the key roles that the VCSE play are crucial, but we recognize and understand the vulnerabilities and strains the sector faces, this partnership is going to work hard to offer genuine support and development for the sector over the next three years.”
The VCSE Infrastructure contract will run for three years with the option for a further one-year extensions subject to funding being available.
Our website, www.aspirenn.org.uk, will provide access to a wide range of resources for VCSE organisations across North Northamptonshire or contact Groundwork Northamptonshire on 01536 526453 to chat about what support they can offer.
Leaders of the six local organisations that make up the new Aspire NN partnership. Left to right: Pratima Dattani (Support Northamptonshire), Nicola Toms (NACRE), Kate Williams (Groundwork Northants), Tony Gibbs (Serve), Rachel Dixon (Volunteer Action), Alison Holland (North Northants Social Enterprise Network).
