1415-189 – Adult Lifestyle and Health Improvement Programme
Camden Give It A Go!
Market Testing
Camden and Islington Councils are seeking expressions of interest from providers that might be interested
in becoming a partner in Camden Give it a Go! Scheme and also to identify organisations that might be
interested in developing a similar scheme in Islington (subject to resources).
The GIAG scheme offers free gym use for Camden residents who are physically inactive. The scheme has
been running successfully for several years but we are now looking to potentially extend the scheme to
include other providers. If your facility has a public fitness gym, exercise studio and swimming pool
(although it’s not essential to have all 3) then you have the basic requirements to become a partner in
GIAG.
GIAG is a Pro-Active Camden (PAC) initiative of time limited membership (usually 4 months) of public
sports facilities in Camden for people who are currently inactive. Access is free for participants (and will be
through a Single Point of Access) and the aim is to encourage and support Camden residents to change
behaviour and develop the exercise habit for their long-term health and wellbeing, especially people from
areas of deprivation. The scheme is simple and participants need to attend a set number of times each
month (usually 5) to qualify for the next month. At the end of the scheme participants are offered options to
continue exercising, including subsidised leisure centre memberships. Participants are currently referred
into GIAG scheme from other Camden services, such as NHS Health Checks. Since the scheme started
4000 people have taken part and a significant proportion converted to a fitter way of life.
GIAG has the following requirements:
Access and support for participants
 Provide free memberships to GIAG clients that allows full use of leisure centre facilities (i.e. same value
of current memberships with the same status as existing members).
 Provide welcome sessions, induction and on-going support by qualified gym instructors.
 Upon completion of scheme offer participants a range of membership options including discounted
memberships for people in receipt of benefits.
Facilities, insurance & finance
 Provide high quality and appropriate facilities that include at least two of the following: fitness gym,
exercise studio and swimming pool.
 Public liability insurance.
 Contribute 50% of membership costs for duration of scheme
Data and monitoring
 Record and maintain participant records (demographic, participation records and physical activity
levels).
Before commencing a procurement process, the councils wish to undertake market testing on the process
and therefore would welcome the views of providers on the questions set out below.
We would like to receive feedback on the following areas and any other comments that you may have.
Organisations will have an opportunity to ask clarification questions on the specifications once the
procurement process is underway.
QUESTIONS
1
Would you be interested in becoming a partner to deliver this service in
Camden or Islington or both?
2
Would you be willing to co-fund this initiative by offering in-kind membership
fees?
Would you be willing to provide full leisure centre access to GIAG members?
3
Do you have adequate facilities and insurance to become a GIAG partner?
4
5
Do you have any specific proposals/particular measures that should be included
within the service specification to target those in most need?
Would you propose any other changes to this service?
6
7
What would be key in making the service work with a provider of a Single Point
of Access service?
8
What would be your expected level of activity that would make the service
viable?
9
How would you ensure that the intervention delivers long term sustainable
behaviour change (exit strategy, links with other partners etc)
10
What innovative ways would you use to encourage use with friends and families
of clients?
11
What would you see as the key delivery challenges based on the proposed
service?
12
13
14
What proportion of your current staff is not paid above the London Living Wage
[currently £8.80; £9.15 per hour (pro-rata for part time workers) with effect from
1 January 2015]?
Do you have any further comments about the proposed procurement?
Would you be willing to meet with us to discuss your views about this proposed
procurement further?