Shared Lives South West in the running for a national award!

21.02.12

Shared Lives South West has been shortlisted as a national finalist in the National Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2012/13.  These awards recognise success and partnership in Government procurement, and Shared Lives South West is a finalist in the GO Best Service Award – Small Businesses/Third Sector.

We were shortlisted after we made a submission about our long term procurement relationship with our key authorities in the South West, and in particular with Devon County Council, who were the main force behind the setting up of Shared Lives South West (SWAPS as it was then known) back in late 2003.

Jane Bell, chief executive says

We are really pleased that our work to offer a high quality personalised service to the public sector in the south west has been recognised by the judges of the GOawards.  As a voluntary sector social care provider it is really important for us to have an honest, robust and constructive relationship with procurement and contract colleagues, particularly in times of financial constraint in public funding.  We have worked hard to develop that relationship with Devon County Council  and our other statutory partners in Cornwall, Torbay and Plymouth over the years.  It is not always easy to find agreement, but with a shared understanding of the huge benefits that a service like Shared Lives offers, we can usually find a mutually agreeable way through!  Being nominated as a finalist recognises and values the work that goes into maintaining and developing that relationship.”

The winners will be announced on March 13th as part of the National Procurement Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham.  For more information, see www.govopps.co.uk/go-awards