Introduction
Mental Health Reform is seeking a suitably qualified consultant to evaluate its social inclusion capacity-building project.
About Mental Health Reform
Mental Health Reform (MHR) is Ireland’s leading national coalition on mental health. Our vision is of an Ireland with accessible, effective and inclusive mental health services and supports.
In line with this vision, we drive the progressive reform of mental health services and supports, through coordination and policy development, research and innovation, accountability and collective advocacy. With over 80 member organisations and thousands of individual supporters, MHR provides a unified voice to Government, its agencies, the Oireachtas and the general public on mental health issues.
Learn more about us here.
Project Background
Between 2024 – 2026, MHR received funding from Community Foundation Ireland to develop a social inclusion capacity-building project called CoLab. The aim of the project is to empower people with psychosocial disabilities and their supporters to advocate for improvements in the mental health system to increase the financial and social inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities in society.
The UN uses the term psychosocial disability to describe individuals with long-term mental health difficulties combined with barriers in their social environment which together result in disability. Ireland’s mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, recognises that people with psychosocial disabilities are vulnerable to social exclusion. Challenges can include stigma and discrimination, limited access to services, employment and educational barriers and social isolation.
The purpose of the CoLab project is twofold: firstly, to promote social inclusion by empowering people with mental health difficulties to advocate for positive change in the mental health system; and secondly, to work with MHR’s supporting members to amplify their advocacy efforts for greater impact.
Project Scope
The project is structured according to three key objectives:
- To highlight and address the financial and social inclusion challenges faced by people with psychosocial disabilities through meaningful social engagement, personal development, and active citizenship. This involves the delivery of a capacity-building programme for people with lived experience. The programme will support participants to work together as a group, engage in shared learning and active citizenship in their community, allowing them to influence decisions, voice concerns, and engage with service provision.
- To provide people with psychosocial disabilities and the organisations that support them with the skills and opportunities to advocate for positive change in the mental health system This involves the delivery of a structured training programme for participants with psychosocial disabilities including training on communications skills for mental health advocacy and campaigning skills. Member organisations will participate in capacity-building sessions with MHR to support the achievement of their policy and advocacy objectives. We will also provide practical opportunities for participants with psychosocial disabilities and our members to get involved in advocacy campaigns, meet with Oireachtas members and raise awareness of mental health issues through media interviews and public speaking engagements.
- To create long-term improvements in mental health policy, services and law that increase the social and financial inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities in society. This involves amplifying the voice of people with psychosocial disabilities and our members in the voluntary and community sector. Through strategic advocacy, participants will engage with the Government and contribute to improvements in housing, education, employment, and mental health services for people with psychosocial disabilities which will strengthen social and financial inclusion in the long-term.
Objectives of Consultancy
MHR wishes to engage a consultant to:
- Evaluate the effectiveness, impact, and value for money of MHR’s CoLab project
- Assess the extent to which intended outcomes for participants were achieved
- Analyse participant experiences, with a particular focus on people with lived experience
- Assess whether the project’s approach to creating change worked as intended
- Assess the project’s influence on advocacy capacity, policy engagement, and wider systemic change
- Identify strengths, challenges, and lessons learned in project design and delivery
- Develop actionable recommendations to inform future capacity-building and advocacy work involving people with lived experience and member organisations
Methodology
The proposed methodology should include a combination of desk research, review of project data, questionnaires as well as online interviews with key internal and external stakeholders.
All methods should be accessible and inclusive to ensure meaningful participation of people with lived experience.
Tenderers should outline how confidentiality and respectful engagement with participants will be ensured. Tenderers are also encouraged to propose additional or alternative methods where appropriate and to clearly justify their approach
Consultant Specifications
The person or team undertaking this consultancy should possess the following
- Demonstrate experience in conducting evaluations of similar projects evidenced through previous evaluation reports
- Experience of working with voluntary and community sector organisations
- Knowledge of mental health and disability policy
- Strong research, analytical, writing and communication skills
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
- Ability to deliver work to agreed timeframes and deadlines
Tenderers must declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Timeframe
The evaluation should commence in June 2026 and be completed in August 2026.
The successful candidate will meet with the MHR staff in June 2026 to establish a specific timetable for the project.
Tender Process
Tendering organisations or individuals must submit a tender document with the following information:
- Profile or CV of the individual/organisation
- Details of relevant experience
- Description of the proposed methodology
- Detailed breakdown of proposed costs and timeline
- Samples of previous work and contact details of two referees
Assessment of Tender
Each tender will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the brief (30%)
- Proven track record and relevant experience, including experience working with voluntary and community sector organisations (25%)
- Proposed methodology and approach (25%)
- Cost (20%)
Tenders will be assessed by an evaluation panel. MHR reserves the right to invite shortlisted candidates to a follow-up discussion or interview.
Further Information
The successful tenderer must hold a valid tax clearance certificate. Evidence of tax clearance must be provided prior to appointment and maintained for the duration of the contract.
Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of the evaluation and submission of a valid invoice.
Proof of appropriate insurance, including public liability insurance, must be included with the tender submission
The successful tenderer will be required to comply with all relevant data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and to ensure confidentially in handling all project related information
Budget Available
The total budget for this work is up to €5,500 (inclusive of all costs)
The Consultant will be responsible for all tax, VAT travel, subsistence, and any other associated expenses.
How to Apply
Tenders should be submitted by email to Wendy Mitchell at info@mentalhealthreform.ie no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, 21st May 2026.
Any queries or requests for clarification must be submitted by email to the same address no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, 14th May 2026.
Late submissions will not be accepted