Social Value

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 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 is the response from Suppliers, Business and Industry.

NHS Providers, Local Authorities, private sector 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.