From time to time, we offer the opportunity for local Healthwatch to tender for specific work and projects. 

What can I expect?

  • We will promote any opportunities that suit the specific skills and role of local Healthwatch;
  • If your response is successful, you will be offered a contract to deliver the work; and
  • We will usually make payment for any work upon the completion of the project. 

Current opportunities

Working with ICBs - February 2026

Up to £9,999 to collate, provide case studies and report on Healthwatch approaches to working with Integrated Care Boards – apply by 18 February 2026 

The opportunity 

Most local Healthwatch provide insight and representation to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), often working collaboratively across local areas. However, the role and structure of ICBs are changing, including mergers, boundary adjustments, and shifts in responsibilities. These changes create both challenges and opportunities for local Healthwatch in how they gather insight, influence decision-making, and work together across evolving footprints.

Local Healthwatch are already exploring a range of approaches in response to this new landscape. This funding opportunity will support one local Healthwatch to bring these approaches together, analyse emerging models, and share learning across the network and at the ICB level with any developments in patient voice system.    The project will:

  • Collate how different local Healthwatch engage with ICBs
  • Produce a summary report with case studies of the different approaches
  • Deliver a dissemination webinar to share learning with local Healthwatch

All activities must be completed by 31 March 2026, and the final report shared with Healthwatch England.

The criteria 

We would welcome expressions of interest from local Healthwatch who: 

  • Can gather and analyse Healthwatch approaches to working with ICBs in the new context
  • Have a mechanism to reach and engage with 153 local Healthwatch.
  • Can commit to the timescales above, including production of the summary report. 
  • Can deliver a webinar to share learning.

Healthwatch England will provide assistance with logistics (eg hosting webinar; distribution lists etc) 

Timescales and how to apply 

  • Please send expressions of interest, describing how you meet the criteria, to projectshealthwatch@healthwatch.co.uk by 18 February 2026. These can be as an email or word document and no more than 400 words 
  • A cross-team panel of Healthwatch England staff will review expressions of interest w/c 23 February 2026
  • We will aim to make funding offers to successful applicants by 02 March
  • The completed funding agreement and associated paperwork must be submitted to Healthwatch England by 06 March 2026. 

About the funding opportunity 

  • We will make payment on the successful delivery of the summary report
  • The standard terms and conditions of Healthwatch England will apply. The total amount of funding is £9,999. All costs are inclusive of VAT. 

If you have any questions, contact projectshealthwatch@healthwatch.co.uk