The Social Value Tea 🍵: Week of April 16, 2025
Hello! 👋
Nil here with all the Social Value Tea for the week. Hope everyone enjoys Easter and the bank holidays!
Scroll down for this week’s must-know updates, interesting reads, latest jobs, and more.
Enjoy xx
News news!
Stories you might have missed.
- Why wellbeing matters: Evaluation of Rethink Ireland Education & Youth Mental Health Funds 2017-2022
A new report by the University of Galway, in partnership with Rethink Ireland was released this week, which calls for a fundamental rethinking of how young people’s wellbeing can be understood and supported through education and youth mental health projects across Ireland. Lots of great information about valuing wellbeing for young people, the value of education and alternative education, and the most important outcomes for young people.
Read more → Rethink Ireland - Here’s who topped the rankings in this year’s scorecard for sustainable chocolate – and which confectionery giant refused to participate
A new scorecard ranks major chocolate companies on sustainability, spotlighting leaders in ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. This year, Tony’s Chocolonely won the Good Egg award in the large company category. Notably, Mondelēz—maker of Cadbury—refused to participate. It’s a timely reminder that transparency and accountability are fast becoming non-negotiables for consumer trust.
Read more → The Conversation - How sleepovers expose the hell of other people’s parenting
This Times article on sleepovers offers more than just parental angst—it taps into how values, norms, and inequalities show up in the smallest social settings. For anyone thinking about community engagement or child wellbeing, it’s a vivid case study in how the “social” in social value starts at home.
Read more → The Times - NHS leaders need to prioritise social value
In a recent HSJ commentary, Lizzie Smith emphasises the pivotal role of NHS leaders in prioritising social value to address health inequalities and foster sustainable community development. Highlighting initiatives like the NHS London Anchor programme, Smith argues that integrating social value can improve public health outcomes and community wellbeing.
Read more → HSJ - House of Lords seeks insights on autism support
Marking World Autism Acceptance Day, the House of Lords has initiated a comprehensive review of the Autism Act 2009, inviting contributions from autistic individuals, families, professionals, and researchers. The inquiry focuses on key areas such as public understanding, healthcare access, education, employment, and justice system interactions.
Read more → The UK Parliament
And if you’re struggling to understand the Autism Act, take a look at this helpful LinkedIn post
Caught our eye…
Interesting reads worth sharing.
Barriers to LGBTQ+ career progression in the UK: While LGBTQ+ individuals bring extraordinary leadership, resilience and talent to the workplace, our findings confirm what many have felt but few could prove: systemic barriers continue to hold our community back. A first of its kind report from Pride in Leadership, an organisation co-founded by Matt Haworth from Impact Reporting.
12 Free Storytelling Courses: Do you struggle to bring the story of your your impact to life? There’s certainly an art and science to storytelling. “AI can solve a lot of your storytelling problems – but it’s only ever as good as what you ask it to do – and sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know to ask? 🤔” Here’s a helpful round-up of courses you can take to help improve your storytelling chops.
Selling ESG, selling avocados: 🥑 When avocados first arrived in Indian markets, they didn’t take off immediately. The assumption? “Too expensive for everyday Indians.” But that wasn’t the real problem at all…Read on for this article that asks, “What if we approached climate action less as a matter of convincing people to make sacrifices and more as a design challenge to create better experiences? “
Celebrating outcomes
Great examples of social value work worth showcasing
Local business wins waste contract with major Swindon organisation
New College Swindon has chosen Hills Waste Solutions as its new waste contractor to handle all waste disposal and recycling duties for the college.
The college was particularly impressed with the “dedicated account manager, open access to recycling data, and the social value” Hills Waste Solutions offer.
Why it matters:
Sarah Stone from Samtaler said it best:
“For anyone who says social value is just a box to tick,I promise you it’s not, and here’s the example….
The rural pub that serves a lot more than pints
A rural pub in Gloucestershire has swapped pints for purpose, transforming into a community lifeline to combat social isolation.
The George in Newnham on Severn is serving up more than drinks — offering education, culture and conversation to bring locals together.
The Young Professionals in Social Value recently held an event: The Future of Social Value within the Public Sector at the BT offices.
Two key takeaways from the event:
🌟 Unless we are BOLD and BRAVE the world will not change
💡 Great things are never achieved by following the status quo
Greene King’s annual Tub2Pub recycling initiative collected over 240,000 tubs – equating to 27,990kg of plastic saved from landfill. Proceeds from the sale of the recycled plastic granules has raised a total of £10,916.10 for Macmillan Cancer Support, Greene King’s charity partner.
Who’s hiring?
Here’s this week’s latest social value jobs list, published every Friday via our LinkedIn company page.
- Social Value Manager/Lead at Amentum: https://lnkd.in/eCRdwf9C
- Education Director – Centre for Social Impact (CSI) at UNSW: https://lnkd.in/eveEpe_a
- Pro Bono & Social Impact Manager (MEA) at Clyde & Co: https://lnkd.in/eesZKY_h
- Account Director – Social Impact role at Hopscotch Consulting: https://lnkd.in/eeueT_ih
- Global Head of Social Impact and D&I at Simply Business: https://lnkd.in/eKKy2KVu
- Social Value and Engagement Manager at LanguageLine Solutions UK: https://lnkd.in/eUZXKT8V
- Stakeholder & Social Value Advisor at Octavius Infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/eSR9ryzZ
- Operations & Social Value Lead at KPMG Ireland: https://lnkd.in/e6YBSdZt
- Social Value Officer at Royal Borough of Greenwich: https://lnkd.in/eTCMhqMq
- Solution Consultant, Social Value at Capita: https://lnkd.in/eCM8Nsim
- Sustainability Consultant | Social Value at Stantec: https://lnkd.in/e-amzTzK
- Communications Specialist – Sustainability at McKinsey & Company: https://lnkd.in/emb2WSaE
- Senior ESG Reporting Lead at Vanguard: https://lnkd.in/e8h7Hrwy
- Sustainability Analyst at Mars: https://lnkd.in/eHWSJbqV
- Sustainability Manager at HF: https://lnkd.in/efAvEny6
- ESG Analyst at Sustainable Fitch: https://lnkd.in/emQiZ845
- Project Head of Environment and Sustainability via Irwin and Colton – HSE Recruitment : https://lnkd.in/e3Rz6a3a
- Manager – Equity & Partnerships at Homes England: https://lnkd.in/eGbajdFr
- D&I Coordinator at Rathbones Group Plc: https://lnkd.in/etMhMiXu
- Vice President, Sustainability Solutions at Mastercard: https://lnkd.in/eZNZxXGZ
- ESG Solutions Project Coordinator at CHANEL: https://lnkd.in/evv_HHsv
- Head of Sustainability – Circular Economy at THG Fluently: https://lnkd.in/eTJHEF6B
- ESG Data Analyst via Danos Group: https://lnkd.in/eEemx7ud
- Trainee Social Value Coodinator via Fawkes & Reece: https://lnkd.in/ebtzv-yh
- Social Value Coordinator and Bid Manager, both via Kenton Black: https://lnkd.in/exf67NGU and https://lnkd.in/eKQbuPdb
- Transformation Director – Social Impact: https://lnkd.in/eYab5ebn
- Social Value Lead at Atkins: https://lnkd.in/etb-2-HX
Podcasts and Webinars
On new social value-related info
Make an Impact podcast
In this episode of Make an Impact, Heidi Fisher interviews Catherine Manning, Head of Impact Practice at Impact Reporting and the Programme Director and driving force behind the social valuation tool, MeasureUp.
We explore how social value measurement is evolving beyond mere compliance with procurement requirements. Catherine shares her vision where organisations move from “ticking boxes” to embedding social value in their DNA – transforming it from a short bus journey to a meaningful ongoing commitment. This shift requires both structural changes in how we account for value and cultural changes in how we perceive success.
Webinar recording:
The 2023 Procurement Act: unlocking the art of the possible
Julian Bland of E3M & Social Business International and Sandra Hamilton from the Manchester University Institute of Innovation Research and a consultant at Stone King recently hosted a really interesting discussion on the improving SV practice in procurement. Here’s a quick recap of the session:
✅Discussed the importance of distinguishing competitive market purchasing from the system stewardship needed to co-design and deliver public services
✅ Emphasised the Light Touch Regime, the role of the VCFSE sector, and the significant, yet little used flexibilities, that exist under UK Procurement Law
✅ Explored the 8 priority policy objectives embedded in the new Social Value Model and stressed the importance of placing VCFSE expert knowledge at the heart of the Social Value system intelligence
✅ Embedded, Additional and Inherent Social Value – Reflecting distinct sector priorities, we advocated for the development of more collaborative commissioning pathways and invited commissioners to join us in the design and delivery of innovative Demonstration Projects showcasing the art of the possible in collaborative commissioning
Whilst the event is over, we’d highly recommend watching the recording.
Let’s talk: Social Impact Measurement
Social value is under increasing scrutiny, but how do you separate genuine impact from murky claims? Even well-intended businesses can get caught out.
We’ll be joining Hattrick to deliver a webinar on May 1st, 9-10am, where we’ll explore the next chapter of greenwashing and how to avoid falling into the trap of ‘purpose-washing.’
Speakers:
🎤 Malin Cunningham – Founder of B Corp-certified agency @Hattrick & Carbon Literacy trainer
🎤 Matt Haworth – Co-Founder of @Impact Reporting & ‘tech for good’ entrepreneur behind the free new framework revolutionising the social value space, @MeasureUp
Together, we’ll cover:
✅ How vague reporting is diluting social value efforts
✅ The risks of taking social value claims at face value
✅ Progressive solutions helping businesses do better today
Where to be
Upcoming events, awards deadlines and networking opportunities
- YPSV AND GMSVN: Social Value Networking Event on April 30 in Manchester
- Yorkshire Social Value Networking event on April 24 in Sheffield
- Sustainable Futures Awards deadline is April 30
- UK Construction Week in London from May 7-9
- ‘Understanding Social Value’ at Solent Hotel in Whiteley, Hampshire on May 15
- Procurex on May 21 in Birmingham (Impact Reporting speaking on the ESG Zone)
- Edie Net Zero awards now open, deadline is June 11
What we’re loving outside of work…
BBC’s Race Across the World premieres April 23 and I cannot wait! I always end up rooting for all of them. This year they’re starting at The Great Wall of China and they will be navigating through China, Nepal and India.
I recently was in London and saw Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution. In true Agatha Christie style, I was left guessing all the way to the end. Great, immersive play, if anyone is interested!
A solid audiobook recommendation from our MD, Ben White: Simple Marketing for Smart People. His biggest lesson learned? Your #1 job is to teach prospects how to value your product. Your goal is to make the sale irrelevant — by building so much belief that the purchase is a no-brainer
Want to get this news straight to your inbox?
About the author
