Our role as a social value accelerator site

As one of a group of Social Value Accelerator Sites across the UK, we’re dedicated to exploring and learning more about how social value can practically and effectively be embedded at scale across Cheshire and Merseyside, within the NHS, Local Authorities and Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector (VCFSE) organisations. Our local approach to social value has also been expanded to explore the potential of establishing ‘Business and Industry’ as Anchor Institutions to build opportunities for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) locally.

Locally our definition of Social Value is:

  • the good that we can achieve within our communities, related to environmental, economic and social factors;
  • our approach to building capabilities, strengths and assets and enabling people to live a ‘valued and dignified life’;
  • an enabler for the growth of ‘Social Innovation’ (SI) and helps to reduce avoidable inequalities – linked to the Marmot Principles;
  • a requirement of the public sector as ‘Anchor Organisations’ to use their purchasing power to build capabilities, strengths and assets within our communities, ensuring that Cheshire and Merseyside is a great ‘Place’ to live and work – Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the response from Suppliers, Business and Industry.

NHS Providers, Local Authorities, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector (VCFSE) organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside have signed up to our Social Value Charter, which was launched on the 1 July 2019. Our Charter describes our local vision and principles for maximising the potential of Social Value across Cheshire and Merseyside.

We have already identified a number of Social Value Champions, who will lead the development of Social Value and Corporate Social Responsibility within their organisations and local areas.

Social Value Award

The Cheshire and Merseyside Social Value Award aims to help your organisation to achieve your staff and volunteer recruitment and retention strategy, deliver Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Social Value and recognises your organisation as an ‘Anchor Institution’.

The Social Value Award enables, supports and recognises organisations who:

  • help local ‘People’ and ‘Communities’ to live a valued and fulfilled life by improving their health, wellbeing, happiness, education and employment opportunities;
  • help to improve the ‘Place’ that we live in Cheshire and Merseyside;
  • improve motivation, performance, productivity, health and wellbeing for staff and volunteers;
  • showcase the ethical and moral contribution that your organisation makes to our local communities;
  • improve the reputation or brand loyalty for your organisation, and therefore increase the awareness, appeal and sustainability/market share of your organisation;
  • improve the effectiveness, efficiency of your organisation, and creating added value for the services provided by your organisation (Public Sector);
  • maximise your organisations strengths and offer (buildings, knowledge, skills, resources) for the benefit of local communities; create local opportunities for social innovation;
  • maximise local investment and support the growth of the local economy.
  • collaborate and work in partnership with complimentary organisations to de

Read more about our Social Value Award, who s eligible to apply for it, how long it lasts and more, in our ‘Social Value Award Guide’. Additionally if you’d like to apply for the award on behalf of your organisation, you can do so and upload evidence that you meet the criteria, by visiting: https://socialvaluebusiness.com/social-value-award—cheshire-and-merseyside

Find out more about our Social Value work

To find out more about our social value programme , please read our ‘Social Value Guide’, ‘Supporting Social Innovation in your Local Area Guide’ and ‘Recipe for a Good Life Guide’. Please also feel free to utilise our ‘Social Value Network Training slides’.

Get in touch with our Social Value Lead

Shelley Brough, Head of Integrated Commissioning at Cheshire East Council is the Social Value Programme Lead. If you have any questions about the programme, please get in touch with Shelley via email at: shelley.brough@cheshireeast.gov.uk