And the winner is...

The Social Value Leadership Group (SVLG) recently hosted the very first SVLG Social Value Awards.

The awards recognised supply-chain partners who ‘do social value right’; partners who have demonstrated a commitment to social value and delivered meaningful projects, resources and opportunities for the benefit of local communities.

And the winners are:

Best Social Value Collaboration

This award is for supply chain partners who have worked together to deliver a project with significant social value outcomes that have made a real difference. 

The project:

As part of the Ferrersfield development in Knowsley agreement (comprising of 131 new build properties), HMS was required to demonstrate social commitments to the local area.

Collaborating with Torus Foundation, HMS has helped to support the local area through IAG (information, advice and guidance), training and education. Through this unique partnership, HMS has developed a strategy to ensure that through social value it has provided opportunities for local people to enhance their skills and obtain employment.

Beth Pilgrim, Co-Founder, Supply Change said: “We chose this collaboration because it demonstrated real partnership working between HMS, Torus, the local authority and the community centre. The collaboration demonstrated a real drive to achieve tangible social value outcomes that went above and beyond initial targets. Impressive outcomes included improving on the local employment target by over 400%.”

Best Social Value Project

This award recognises supply chain partners who have delivered projects with a significant social, economic or environmental benefit in the community.

The Construction of St Mark’s Church of England School and outreach programme project:

St Mark’s Church of England School is a game changer for the Southampton community. Morgan Sindall Construction (MSC) worked collaboratively with Southampton City Council (SCC) to deliver a brand new 900 place all-through school (combining primary and secondary)- enabling families to save the long bus rides, by sending their children to a state-of-the-art establishment, right on their doorstep.

In addition to engaging with local students and creating job/apprenticeship opportunities, the team supported local initiatives including revamping external learning areas for Bitterne CE Primary and Redbridge schools, as well as sponsoring a local youth football team and Southampton’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid.

The Cook for Good project:

Cook for Good, on Peabody’s Priory Green Estate, King’s Cross, aims to use cooking and food to support local communities, which also helps to tackle issues such as social isolation, food poverty, and community disconnection. Cook for Good has set up a community kitchen, cookery school, and surplus food pantry. These facilities are made available to local residents, providing them with opportunities to learn new skills, access affordable food, and build connections with others in their community.

Peabody’s partnership with Cook for Good has helped develop and scale their organisation rapidly, with zero-rent and subsidised utility bills, as well as a secure tenancy of 10 years.

Dan Ebanks – Founder, Social Value Exchange, said about the joint winners: “Morgan Sindall were hard to beat: 82% of the £35m spend going through the local supply chain and SMEs. And the project wasn't just about the numbers. The team had an eye on its legacy impact with its educational partnership pledge. Congratulations Morgan Sindall and Southampton City Council.

“Cook for Good focused on some really important outcomes linked to food poverty. It’s a great example of collaborative working - from the re-use of idle space in the heart of Peabody's Kings Cross estate, to the support sourced from local corporates, including Facebook and Argent. Great work.” 

Social Value Champion Supplier 2023 (the Excellence Award)

Recognising a supply chain partner who has delivered continuous social value - exceeding their social value obligations. 

The VINCI Facilities projects:

VINCI Facilities have supported Peabody’s community programmes for 9 years, helping to tackle issues ranging from child literacy to financial exclusion and mental wellbeing.

They have supported Peabody Community Foundation with contributions for an early years literacy programme, ‘Reading from the Start’, projects including the social prescribing programme ‘Positive Steps Thamesmead’ and early years transition to school programme ‘Ready for School’ in Waltham Forest. VINCI have also contributed to projects such as Peabody’s pan London Annual Toy and Food Hamper appeal ‘Peabody Elves’ and the Mason Mile Programme in Thamesmead.

The Colours Decorating Limited projects:

Colours have two contracts with Southern Housing and they’re overachieving their social value outputs across both. Achievements include renovating eight Southern Housing community spaces and recruiting eight roles via South Housing Employment Support Team:

They have also provided materials to build a graffiti wall at Bexhill Skate Park, and provided paint for mentoring artists, provided practical support, career advice and mentoring, and provided one work trial for an unemployed young person.

By the time this contract ends in August, they will have recruited another five roles, delivered four career talks and renovated one more community space.

Lynsey Sweeney – Managing Director, Communities That Work said: “VINCI Facilities- just an excellent project! Really clear outcomes, great focus on the voice of the customer, an accomplished social value project. The scale and range of social value was impressive, and the long term commitment really shone through. Evidence galore of social impact: well done!

“Colours Decorating demonstrated a really impressive partnership; showing that a smaller supplier can work brilliantly with a big housing association to great social value effect. Colours Decorating clearly exceeded their targets, understanding that minimum contract targets are the starting point, not the end point, of social value goals.”