The Social Value Tea: Week of April 2, 2025
Hello! đź‘‹
Nil here with all the Social Value Tea for the week. Eid Mubarak to those who celebrated.
With the financial year end, there has been an influx of reporting requests here at Impact Reporting. It’s wonderful to see social value being so embedded into organisations this way. (In case it helps, here’s a guide to writing impact reports we wrote)
Scroll down for this week’s must-know updates, interesting reads, latest jobs, and more! Enjoy xx
News news!
Stories you might have missed.
- Irish Central: A look at the social impact COVID had on Ireland five years on
A new report from Social Justice Ireland shows that the impact of COVID-19 wasn’t felt equally — lower-income communities faced the hardest hit, deepening existing inequalities in income, health and opportunity. It’s a powerful reminder that meaningful change takes more than emergency response — it takes long-term social investment, and policies that put people first. - Institute for Social Value – Our reaction to Chancellor Rachel Reeves Spring Statement
Though not a budget, the spring statement set out spending plans for the coming months, which coupled increased spending on social and affordable housing with significant cuts and spending reductions, most notably in welfare and Civil Service running costs. - The Times -Poor pupils with richer friends will earn more as adults, study finds
Recent research indicates that children from low-income families who form friendships with wealthier peers earn significantly more as adults, with an average income increase of £5,100 per year. The study emphasises the importance of social mixing in schools and communities to enhance social mobility and economic outcomes. - NPR – Kennedy Center Layoffs & Social Impact Staff
The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, has laid off much of its social impact team, raising questions about how cultural institutions prioritise public value in times of financial pressure, as well as how the Trump administration is changing this landscape. Last month, President Trump ousted longtime board president Deborah Rutter and Kennedy Center chair David Rubenstein before taking over as chairman himself. He also removed 18 board members and replaced them with his supporters. - Cardiff City FC Community Foundation Celebrates £33.4m in Social Impact
The Foundation highlighted the powerful role football plays in creating opportunities, building a sense of belonging, and developing resilience in communities across South Wales. - Pioneer Post – WISE100 Women in Social Enterprise Awards 2025 winners announced
Congratulations to all the Pioneer Post Wise 100 Awards winners, especially our own Catherine Manning who was one of the two ‘highly commended’ nominees in the WISE100 Changemaker Award 👏🌟👏 
Caught our eye…
Interesting reads worth sharing.Â
Growing up on a council estate, I was given an opportunity that changed my life: Never compromise on the values that drive you, advises Sarah Maguire, head of social value at consultancy Fusion21. Read her story, it’s a great reminder of why we do what we do.
Case study on Liverpool City Region Combined Authority: Read about how Lucy Bridge, Social Value Lead for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority are adopting and spreading best practice when it comes to social impact. A solid example of how to do things differently in a council!
Why well-off Brits who think collapse is coming still stay silent: Harrison Plastow explores why many affluent Brits anticipate systemic collapse but remain passive. The piece raises uncomfortable questions about the choices that shape our collective future.
Celebrating outcomes
Great examples of social value work worth showcasing
NHS Shared Business Services has released its 2024 Sustainability and Social Value Report, detailing efforts to embed social impact into procurement, operations, and partnerships. This work, guided by the newly launched NHS SBS Social Value Policy and Green Plan, aligns with wider NHS Net Zero targets and supports the wider community through environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Duolingo’s 2024 Social Impact Report tracks progress on its commitment to accessible education, ethical AI, and climate action. It’s hard to capture impact on a global scale and make it feel relevant, but duolingo did it well.
Catch22’s 2024 Social Impact Review highlights the power of local partnerships and data-driven practice in creating long-term, measurable change. Personally, I loved the way they chronicled their year of social impact.
Who’s hiring?
Here’s this week’s latest social value jobs list, published every Friday via our LinkedIn company page.Â
- Social Value Manager at Amentum: https://www.amentumcareers.com/jobs/social-value-manager-lead-bristol-england-united-kingdom-london-exeter-theale
- Senior Contract Manager via Langley Search & Interim: https://www.langleysearch.com/job/senior-contract-manager-corporate
- Social Value Executive at Allwyn UK: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4192401943
- Account Director – Sustainability & Social Impact at Burson: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4189723322
- Inclusion and Belonging Manager at Co-op: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4187799207
- Sustainability and Social Impact Specialist (Senior) at BoF Careers: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4191531162
- Sustainability Lead at Olympia Events: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4192713981
- Sustainability Lead at ASM Global: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4192738462
- Sustainability Lead Manager at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4193177396
- Sustainability Manager at Monica Vinader Ltd: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4192735794
- Head of Brand, Comms and Impact at Principality Building Society: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4187781656
Deep dive
On new social value-related research
The State of Social Value in Public Sector SpendingÂ
Social Enterprise UK’s latest Social Value 2032 report calls for a reset in how we think about public spending — urging government and public bodies to move beyond compliance and embed social value as a strategic tool for long-term impact.
Key takeaways:
Billions in missed potential: If public bodies embedded social value more strategically, it could unlock up to ÂŁ56 billion in added social and environmental value across the UK economy each year.
Inconsistency is the norm: Despite the 2012 Social Value Act, implementation is patchy. Many public sector organisations still treat social value as a “tick box” exercise rather than a lever for better outcomes.
Procurement is key: Public procurement (£300bn+ annually) remains one of the UK’s most powerful tools for driving place-based change — but it’s not being used to its full potential.
Local solutions work: Stronger outcomes were found where local authorities took a place-based, participatory approach — working closely with communities and social enterprises.
A call for leadership: The report calls for central government to set clearer direction, provide training, and build capacity at every level to scale what’s already working.
“Social value is not a burden — it’s an opportunity to create better services, fairer economies, and stronger communities.”
Where to be
Upcoming events, awards deadlines and networking opportunitiesÂ
- Property Biz Awards are still accepting submissions
- YPSV Liverpool Networking Event on April 3 in Liverpool
- Construction News Specialist Awards deadline is April 4
- Cannes Lions Awards deadline is April 10
- Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Awards is April 10
- 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
- Procurex on May 21 in Birmingham (Impact Reporting speaking on the ESG Zone)
What we’re loving outside of work…
- Improving: With the weather getting nicer, my new goal is to increase walking. Here are 8 reasons why we should all walk more
- Eating: These fudgy chocolate brownies from Recipe Tins are absolutely divine, I find 28 minutes is perfect in my oven.
- Sparking Joy: Someone else a networking and storytelling platform that is designed to promote stories of hopefulness, one story a day.
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