Shaped by lived experience: a new advocacy contract for South Tyneside

We have recently become the main advocacy provider in the South Tyneside area. In this blog, our Chief Executive David Woolley shares the significance of the contract and the importance of co-production in procurement.

"I’m delighted Your Voice Counts has been awarded a new long-term contract with South Tyneside Council to deliver all advocacy services in the area from 1 September 2025. The contract brings together statutory, general and NHS complaints advocacy into a single offer, creating a much more streamlined and accessible service because Your Voice Counts is now the single point of access for all advocacy support in South Tyneside.

"We bid for the contract last year and had a really positive experience of the tendering process which felt genuinely inclusive and well thought through. We were especially pleased to see people with lived experience on the panel and it was clear that the specification had been co-produced with people who understand first-hand the value of advocacy.  This gives us real confidence in the values behind this opportunity and the ambition we share for what advocacy can achieve in South Tyneside. 

"I’m also especially pleased that the contract explicitly includes a general advocacy offer and hope to see this become a standard part of advocacy commissioning going forward.  General advocacy is open to people who aren’t eligible for a statutory service, meaning we can reach people who may otherwise fall through the gaps, something we are very passionate about at Your Voice Counts.    

"Another real positive is the fact that this is a long-term, five-year contract. In the voluntary sector, that kind of stability is rare and it’s hugely valuable. It gives us the security and space we need to grow and develop the service, build strong relationships and invest in our team and our reach. 

"As an organisation with a strong track record in advocacy, we’re delighted to have been selected to lead this work in South Tyneside. We’re looking forward to working closely with our commissioners, partners and the people we support to make sure advocacy is available to everyone, whenever and whereever they need it. 

"If you’re a professional, partner organisation or someone who may benefit from advocacy, you can find out more about our offer at www.yvc.org.uk/advocacy."