Preliminary Market Engagement Notice -North West Anti-Stigma Strategy and Action Plan

Lancashire County Council is seeking to appoint an academic institution with substantial expertise in stigma and substance use to lead the development of the North West Anti-Stigma Strategy and associated Action Plan.

The appointed provider will be responsible for

• Convening and facilitating a Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Group.
• Providing regular written updates and/or briefing sessions to substance use commissioners and stakeholders across the North West, coordinated via Lancashire County Council.
• Conducting desk-based research to review and synthesise existing international anti-stigma strategies and action plans, from related fields particularly those related to HIV and mental health.
• Organising and facilitating a North West consensus-building event.
• Leading co-production groups involving individuals with lived/living experience.
• Designing, distributing, and analysing a regional survey.

The findings from the literature review, consensus event, co-production groups, and survey will be synthesised to produce a comprehensive Anti-Stigma Strategy and Action Plan for the North West. These outputs will be reviewed and approved by the Steering Committee.

The delivery of this work will contribute to the following overarching objectives

• Reducing internalised stigma among individuals affected by substance use and those who support them.
• Challenging and changing public attitudes and behaviors towards people with lived/living experience, their families, carers, and support networks.
• Addressing and mitigating structural stigma and discrimination in identified settings.