How we created £4.1 million in social value last year

We tackle economic inequality by: 

• supporting responsible businesses
• creating new jobs 
• employing local people 

We’re boosting the development of green skills by investing in apprenticeships and promoting training in environmental sustainability across all the programme we deliver.  

We also create social value through bespoke projects dedicated to tackling economic inequality. Working with consultancy EY and EY Foundation, we’ve launched the Smart Futures Academy in Scotland. This exciting new venture gives school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds work experience and skills training, plus follow-on mentoring. 

We’re working to tackle workforce inequality, including the gender pay gap and the disability employment gap.  

More than half (53%) of our leadership roles are held by women, and we’re a Disability Confident employer. We make sure that all our staff are paid at least the Real Living Wage for where they live.  

We’re also implementing equality, diversity and inclusion training for all our teams and supply chain staff. 

Wellbeing is our priority for everyone in our offices, programme teams and partnerships. This includes: 

• exercise
• nutrition 
• lifestyle 
• social activities 
• mental health 

We offer benefits including flexible working arrangements, a wellbeing allowance as well as having generous family friendly policies. 

Mental health commitments as part of our partnerships include: 

• awareness campaigns 
• email advice 
• raising awareness 
• signposting to support services

By investing in these initiatives, we’re breaking down the stigma around mental health and creating a community of integration and acceptance. 

We also run volunteering days to strengthen staff relationships and support teams’ wellbeing. Often, these days also enrich local communities through activities such as gardening, watering and weeding in public parks.  

In our mission to address the climate emergency and cut carbon emissions, we deliver powerful outcomes through our partnerships and projects. Our social value commitments in this area are all about achieving additional impact outside of our core work.  

This starts with minimising our own carbon footprint. We’re committed to measuring and reducing our emissions from energy sources we control and the energy we buy. Last year, we cut both types of emissions by 82% from a 2020/21 baseline year. 

One example of providing social value in our programme delivery is the creation of a sustainability plan during the contract process. This includes promoting sustainable behaviours to all staff and supporting low carbon travel through policies and benefits.  

At a regional level, we offer sustainability training and information for staff and suppliers, plus free energy saving advice for businesses and voluntary organisations. 

We also make significant donations each year to the Energy Saving Trust Foundation, a charity that supports young people to take climate action.  

Our social value contribution rose from £1.75 million in 2023/24 to £4.1 million in 2024/25 – a huge step forward.   

We expect it to keep increasing as we strengthen our reporting and measurement processes and embed social value commitments across everything we do.  

As a mission-led organisation, protecting the climate, supporting our staff and serving communities is at heart of our work. In 2025/26, we’ll challenge ourselves to be even more ambitious – creating greater social value for many more people across the UK.