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NHS Ayrshire & Arran launches Community Benefit Gateway

Do you have questions about Community Benefits and would like to strategically include them in your bids? Take a look at the new NHS Scotland Community Benefit Gateway, promoted by NHS Ayrshire & Arran!

What are Community Benefits?

A Community Benefit is a process through which an organisation meets its needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money, at the same time generating benefits to society and economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment.

About NHS Scotland's Community Benefit Gateway

The Community Benefit Gateway (CBG) is an easy-to-use and free online service that aims to connect NHS Scotland's suppliers with third sector organisations to reduce health inequalities and improve wellbeing in communities.

It is delivered by NHS Scotland, National Services Scotland, Public Health Scotland, and local public health and procurement teams, as a way of ensuring NHS Scotland's commercial solutions are sustainable, ethical and meet social values.

Why should my organisation get involved?

What kind of support does CBG deliver?

Through the CBG, suppliers can provide support to community organisations, such as:

• work placement opportunities
• volunteering projects
• provision of professional advice
• assistance with building community facilities
• environmental proposals
• improving and promoting biodiversity
• lifelong learning projects
• and much more!

Community Benefits Gateway in action

Click the links below to hear real stories of how the the Community Benefits Gateway is already helping organisations in Ayrshire.

• Ayrshire Cancer Support
• Garnock Valley Men's Shed
• Harbourside Men's Shed

Next Steps

If you are ready to do your bit to support Scotland's communities, then take a look at the Sustainability Information for Suppliers section on the NHS website to find lots of useful information on how to get involved, user guides, and how to register your business on the portal.

Scottish SMEs and supported businesses are welcome to take a look at the free tendering support that SDP offers and register for free events and training as well as "on demand" SDP eLearning.