We are an organisation with a strong social purpose providing housing at below market cost to customers of modest means. As a responsible business, social value is at the core of everything we do.
Our core business; the provision of affordable social rented housing, creates intrinsic social value in itself. However, we can also do much more, and in the current economic climate, we desperately need to do so to support our customers and the communities where we work.
We recognise and deliver social value directly, in the services that we provide for our customers, and in the communities that we work with:
In the simplest terms, through the implementation of our social value framework we are looking to deliver greater improvement to the economy, society and the environment in neighbourhoods where we own and manage homes.
We have adopted the CiH definition of social value, which is:
The wider non-financial impacts of programmes, organisations and projects, especially on the wellbeing of individuals and communities and of the environment
In order to ensure that our work is both focused and achievable, our social value priorities are:
Strengthen the local economy by enabling more people to be active within our local economies, supporting local businesses to develop and grow and sourcing products and services from local organisations and suppliers
Build stronger and resourceful communities that are resilient and sustainable, supporting the capacity of local groups and individuals to help themselves. Have healthier and happier people in our communities by providing and supporting activities and services that improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation
Create improved places and reduce environmental impact by enhancing the local environment, and acting responsibly to reduce the impact on the environment
Our Social Value Framework considers people at all stages; starting well, living well and aging well. It details specific ways in which Plus Dane alone and in partnership, will deliver tangible outcomes against these priorities.
The table below outlines internal measures; things that Plus Dane staff do to achieve social value, and external measures that our partners and suppliers can use to demonstrate to us how they are achieving social value through our investment. Our contractors will have access to a guide to confirm Plus Dane’s approach to social value and how to use this framework.
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priority |
outcomes: what we are trying to achieve |
internal (Plus Dane activities) |
external (suppliers and partners) |
priority 1: economic |
Outcome 1: Helping residents into jobs
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Outcome 2: Supporting residents in their pathway to work and training
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Outcome 3: Supporting a vibrant local business base
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priority 2: social
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Outcome 4: Ensuring residents in our neighbourhoods are well paid and supported by employers
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Outcome 5: Reducing poverty and health inequalities for our tenants, customers and their families
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Outcome 6: Support the development of a resilient, effective, and joined up voluntary and community sector
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Outcome 7: Promote tenant participation and active citizenship
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priority 3: environmental |
Outcome 8: Promote environmental sustainability |
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We will measure and report the social value that is generated - this will include the tracking of social value created by Plus Dane, including commitments made by suppliers, measuring the difference we are making to tenants and our neighbourhoods across the agreed priorities.
Due to the complexity of social value, there is not one methodology which will demonstrate meaningful outcomes, so we will use a combination of tools such as:
Key outcomes will be shared in Plus Dane’s Annual Report and promoted on an ongoing basis through our existing communication channels.
