Befriending and navigation service for Newham families with young children.
The London Borough of Newham is commissioning a VCFS-led befriending and navigation service for families from pregnancy to age five. The service will provide multi-channel access (telephone, text, WhatsApp, web) as a trusted first point of contact, especially during evenings and weekends. It combines emotional support with practical advice, signposting, and referrals, aiming to reduce isolation and build parental confidence. The service will use a peer support model, recruiting and training local volunteers, and must integrate with the Best Start Family Hubs network. This is a market engagement to shape the service design; no contract value or duration is specified.