Summary

Reading Friends can contribute to better outcomes, but in the current climate there is an even greater need to demonstrate evidence of impact in very real terms. We need to demonstrate good value for money and provide commissioners with the confidence that the service offered provides a viable alternative to more established interventions.

In summary the key points to remember are:

• Commissioning is all about better outcomes for communities and individuals, so there is a need to first understand the outcomes that commissioners are striving for.
• Engaging in commissioning starts from a clear understanding of local need. Do your research and read up on the relevant strategies that are important locally. Learn the language.
• Building relationships is at the heart of engaging in commissioning. Find out who’s who locally, and when you make contact focus on listening and learning about the commissioning landscape rather than ‘pitching’.
• Commissioners locally may challenge you to refocus programme priorities towards delivering universal, targeted or personalised services.
• Engaging in commissioning will require you to articulate your offer with clarity. Think about how you can do this in a compelling way.
• Commissioners will need evidence of effectiveness.  This may be by drawing on how Reading Friends has worked elsewhere.
• Commissioners are seeking value for money and reduced dependency on other more costly services. They are likely to want to compare the proposed befriending activity with alternative interventions and so having an understanding of unit costs is essential.
• Present yourself as a strategic and creative partner, not just a service provider.  Be aware that it’s an investment in developing relationships and may not generate additional funding in the short-term.