Support Provider for Compassionate Birmingham Programme

Birmingham City Council is seeking an experienced organisation to deliver the Compassionate Birmingham workstream, a key initiative under the Birmingham Ageing Well Strategy. This programme provides comprehensive support services for people who are dying, bereaved, grieving, or caring, based on the Compassionate Cities Charter principles developed by Professor Allan Kellehear. The successful organisation will deliver evidence-based interventions including: arts and health initiatives, hospital support for isolated dying patients, training for community organisations, and funding for community bereavement spaces such as death cafés. Research indicates that approximately 30% of bereaved individuals require organised support, while 10% need specialist mental health interventions for complex grief. Currently, 20-30% of bereaved adults cannot access needed support, leading to significant health impacts including increased mortality risk, physical health problems, and higher healthcare costs (estimated at £8 billion annually plus £23 billion in lost productivity). This is a 3-year contract commencing 1st November 2026, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on community wellbeing and support vulnerable populations across Birmingham.