Social Value UK

Topic: Volunteering and community work

Turkish Red Crescent Society Soup Kitchens SROI Report

“Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) has been a major contributor to the operation of soup kitchens and food aid programs in Türkiye. In 2022, an average of 42,300 people benefited from 33 TRCS soup kitchens and 12,605,506 plates of meals were distributed in total (TRCS Annual Activity Report, 2022).

While measuring the impact of the TRCS soup kitchens, SROI analysis is used as a framework. The SROI analysis used here is Evaluative and covers 13 domestic fixed TRCS soup kitchens’ 1 year operation period from October 2022 to September 2023. The focus of the analysis is basically to understand the changes that stakeholder groups have experienced. In TRCS Soup Kitchens SROI Report, two phases of data collection were conducted; firstly, a qualitative phase in which a sample from stakeholder groups were involved in conversations, and then a quantitative phase in which a larger sample of main beneficiary group were involved.”

“One of the notable results of the research is that 63% of the beneficiaries prefer regular cash payment/shopping card or food materials as a form of alternative food aid. This group gives much more value to cook their meals at home and according to their taste preferences/diets. For this reason, they prefer to be provided with financial support rather than ready-cooked hot meal help. By selecting alternative food aid activities at the tactical level, TRCS can diversify its service and in this way, optimise impacts on wellbeing for all materially affected stakeholders.

The SROI ratio of the study was found as 1:1.63. That means for every 1 TRY invested for TRCS soup kitchens, 1.63 TRY of social value is created each year for stakeholders. This result shows that TRCS soup kitchens created added value and achieved their short, medium, and long-term goals of Theory of Change.

This report is the first social impact measurement of the TRCS soup kitchens. As it is the first evaluation analysis, the main aim was to develop the framework for future systematic data collection. Through illustrating what outcomes are most important to stakeholders, this study can help TRCS soup kitchens to put actions in place where it matters, to continue to increase and maximise the positive social value created.”

11/03/2024
The value of giving back – the social return of Charity Shops
Executive Summary

The value of charity shops goes far beyond what is captured in financial terms.

This Social Return on Investment (SROI) has been carried out to understand the social value of charity shops in the UK. Aligning to the International Principles of Social Value and conducted in accordance with the Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework published by the Cabinet Office of the UK Government, this analysis uses a stakeholder informed approach to show the social value generated. Accordingly, it uses the views of people that are most materiality affected (staff, volunteers, customers and donors) to determine what outcomes charity shops create and involves them to estimate their quantity, duration, value and causality. It is not an assessment of the savings to the state, environmental value or benefit to the economy.

The results conclude a total of £75.3 billion of social value generated by UK charity shops in 2022, an SROI ratio in the range between £1: £4.1-17.8 and a vast total positive impact on those people whose lives charity shops touch.

Nearly a third (29%) of this total social value is through increasing individuals’ feeling of giving back to others and almost half (49%) of the total social value is about giving back to others or the planet. The highest social value per person was created for volunteers, whilst the highest total social value per stakeholder group was for the large group of customers across the UK. It was shown that for staff, volunteers, customers and donors ‘giving back’ to other people is the most important outcome for all groups, and it is through enabling this, charity shops are making the most difference to people’s lives. Other important outcomes also include:
- ‘Feeling that charity shop staff meet me with friendliness and compassion’
- ‘Feeling that I am ‘giving back’ to the planet’
- ‘Excitement from the shopping experience’
It is recommended that findings from this SROI analysis, and the use of the toolkit that will follow, is used to:
1. Evidence value: Help the charity retail sector in demonstrating its immense social
  value to our societies.
2. To be responsive: Through illustrating what outcomes are most important to
  stakeholders, this study can help charity shops to put actions in place where it
  matters, to continue to increase and maximise the positive social value created.
26/10/2023
Measuring Impact of Food Rescue in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Social Return on Investment

“Over the past decade, food rescue organisations have emerged across Aotearoa New Zealand, responding to two key issues – food insecurity and food waste. Food rescue organisations rescue surplus, good, nutritious food destined for landfills and redistribute it to people in need. Food insecurity and food waste have been longstanding issues in Aotearoa. However, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the entire food system, exacerbating these issues. In 2020, the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance (AFRA) was established through funding provided by the NZ Ministry of Social Development’s Food Secure Communities programme. AFRA is a national body encompassing 23 of Aotearoa New Zealand’s major food rescue organisations. Food rescue in Aotearoa New Zealand, predates AFRA, with the first food rescue organisations starting in 2008. However, AFRA was set up in response to issues regarding Covid-19 and ongoing concerns about food insecurity and to provide cohesion and coordination of the sector through capacity building, best practice, collaboration, and advocacy, for an effective food rescue sector.

This Social Return on Investment (SROI) report aims to understand, measure, and value the impact of food rescue in Aotearoa New Zealand. AFRA commissioned the report. It focuses on three case study organisations representing the key food rescue models operating in Aotearoa New Zealand:

• Satisfy Food Rescue (SFR) Christchurch – Community Hub (collects, stores, sorts rescued food. Food is picked up by or delivered to recipient organisations)
• Just Zilch (JZ) Palmerston North – Free Store (collects, stores, and distributes rescued food directly to food recipients via a ‘retail store’ setting where food recipients select food free of charge)
• Good Neighbour (GN) Tauranga – Mixed model (community hub and additional components, e.g., community kitchen, community gardens).

SROI is a framework that aims to understand, measure, and value the impact of an organisation’s activities on various stakeholders. It uses qualitative and quantitative data to tell the story of how change is being created and experienced. Monetary values represent outcomes enabling a ratio of benefits to investment to be calculated, specifying the amount of social, environmental, and economic value created for every $1 invested. The evaluation period for the analysis was the 2020/2021 financial year. This SROI is a forecast analysis, providing a benchmark SROI ratio for future evaluation of food rescue in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is also the first SROI study to measure and value the impact of multiple food rescue organisations in Aotearoa, New Zealand.”

03/05/2023
Tzu Chi Foundation Environmental Protection Missions (SROI) Analysis Report

“The Tzu Chi Foundation (hereinafter referred to as Tzu Chi) has begun its environmental protection missions since 1990. Tzu Chi currently has over 270 environmental protection stations around Taiwan, and is not only involved in the recycling business, but also promotes the concept of “cleaning the source, love the earth by protecting environment” by environmental education promotion, energy saving and carbon reduction, circular economy, waste reduction, vegetarian, etc., We hope to arouse people’s awareness of environmental protection and cherish the earth’s resources. At the same time, Tzu Chi connects the resource network of the community, the environmental protection stations allow neighbors to report their needs, and provides assistance to families with economic or medical needs in the community.

This project uses the activities of “Environmental protection missions” in 2020 as the scope of evaluation and conduct classification and calculation. The overall SROI of Tzu Chi’s environmental protection missions in 2020 was 6.34. It means for every NT$1 of input in Tzu Chi’s environmental protection missions, NT$6.34 in social benefits will be generated.”

12/04/2023
YMCA Black Country Wren’s Nest Navigator Project Forecast of the Social Return on Investment

“The evaluators were commissioned to complete an evaluation of the Wren’s Nest Navigator Project.

The project aims to reduce crime and ASB on the estate, reduce unemployment and increase educational attainment, increase individual resilience and generally raise the skills and aspirations of estate residents by working with individuals and families via a combination of buddying, mentoring, physical and online activities and support.

The project outputs were to support 120 individuals per year. The activities planned aimed to support adults and children and young people to overcome barriers and increase their resilience the project aims to reduce entrenched worklessness, improve independent living skills, improve quality of life and raise aspirations for the benefit of future generations.

…for every £1 invested in the Wren’s Nest Navigator Project, there is £3 of social value returned so far.“

16/01/2023
The Social Return on Investment Report of The 11th Power of Love Platform by Taishin Charity Foundation

Since its establishment in 2010, Taishin Charity Foundation (TCF) has aimed to support small and medium sized charitable organizations. In order to achieve that goal, TCF launched Taiwan’s first large-scale online charity event, called “The Power of Love Platform” (PLP). First, charitable organizations are invited to submit project proposals to the event website. The public then vote online for the organizations they believe contribute the largest positive impact. Finally, after voting is concluded, funds are distributed based on the allocation of votes. This event not only allows small and medium charitable organizations to receive much-needed funding, but it also provides publicity to participating organizations.

This report adopts the SROI methodology to evaluate the social value of the 11th PLP from October 1st, 2020 to November 30th, 2021, including a series of activities related to the PLP after the first-round review, online voting competition, and project execution.

05/09/2022
OVO Foundation – A Forecast Social Return on Investment Analysis on the Impact of OVO Foundation programmes

OVO Foundation (the Foundation) is OVO Energy’s charity. Created in 2014, OVO Foundation shares the belief of OVO Energy that businesses should be better for everyone. The Foundation’s vision is for all children and young people to have equitable access to a sustainable future. By funding meaningful and impactful organisations and projects, the Foundation wants to make sure that:

● All children and young people have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take actions on sustainability issues and to help make their own communities more sustainable.
● All children and young people live in a sustainable community.

This SROI report summarises the results of an independent forecast of the social return on investment (SROI) of three programmes at OVO Foundation (Project Jua, Future Builders, and OVO Gives Back). This SROI report was compiled with advice and support from Social Value UK, and a separate SROI report focused on Project Jua has been assured by Social Value International.

15/03/2022
Adim Adim (Step by Step) SROI analysis

Adım Adım is Turkey’s biggest “benevolent family”. Tens of thousands of volunteer runners, hundreds of thousands of donors, millions of donations, over 100 NGOs and thousands of beneficiaries… All stakeholders have come together to achieve one main goal; to decrease inequality through physical activity, mainly through running.

The culture of volunteering is one of the most important elements of decreasing inequality and increasing human welfare. Adım Adım SROI Analysis demonstrates the tremendous value that volunteering can bring. In fact, this result is supported by the increasing number of Adım Adım volunteers. We all know that “trust” and “solidarity” are the prerequisites of donation. We are delighted to note that people are more than willing to donate when approached by our volunteers, which is testament to Adım Adım’s policy of transparency.

The Adım Adım SROI analysis was carried out to see the impact created by this charity formation activity, to identify the outcomes that can be positive, negative, intended or unintended to allocate resources as good as possible. So, Adım Adım will be able to manage and maximize or optimize its social value by informing decisions about where to direct resources. This SROI Analysis helps to inform decisions and encourage for expending in Turkey and abroad.

The analysis is also designed as a tool to support to in spreading awareness of Adım Adım. In other words, this report is intended for both internal and external stakeholders.

21/02/2022
“Meeting Place: Dialogue” Programme in Russia. Social Return on Investment Analysis

This report describes the process and presents the outcomes, findings and recommendations of an SROI analysis of “Meeting Place: Dialogue” programme (MPDP) implemented by CAF Russia with the support of
EVZ Foundation to support former prisoners and victims of the German national socialist regime in WWII.

The analysis has shown that MPDP creates positive changes for four key stakeholder groups: the older people, their relatives, volunteers and specialists involved in the project. Although potentially relevant negative outcomes were identified for all stakeholder groups within the qualitative stage of data collection, they were not confirmed to be significant to meet the materiality criteria. The SROI ratio of MPDP is 3.55:1, which means that it is effective from the investment point of view and for every ruble invested in the programme, 3.55 rubles worth of social and economic outcomes is created for its stakeholders. The outcomes for older people account for 81% of the overall value of programme outcomes, outcomes for relatives – for 10%, and outcomes for volunteers and specialists for 6% and 3% respectively.

09/12/2021
Mennonite New Life Centres MNLCT Impact Report

“Mennonite New Life Centre (MNLCT) is a community-based settlement agency based in Toronto, Canada that provides a wide-range of programs and services to help newcomers settle in Canada.

This report is as assessment of the two bridging programs offered by the MNLCT – namely Bridge to Employment in Media & Communications (BEMC) and Bridge to Registration and Employment in Mental Health (BREM).

The bridging programs are funded by government agencies. The Impact Report takes an account of the value creation process and measures a social return generated for its intended beneficiaries i.e. the program participants.

The analysis revealed a social return on investment generated in the range of $2 to $10 for the BREM program participants and $1 to $5 for BEMC program participants.”

07/04/2021
Tzu Chi Foundation – Analysis Report of “Banqiao Jing Si Hall” Social Return on Investment (SROI)

The Tzu Chi Foundation (hereinafter referred to as Tzu Chi) was founded in 1966 by Master Cheng Yen in Hualien. The Tzu Chi Foundation is a Buddhist charity foundation and it focuses on humanitarianism with global presence. It upholds the Buddha’s belief of “unconditional compassion and universal sympathy” and gradually develops the “Four endeavors, eight footprints” of charity, medical care, education, humanities, international disaster relief, bone marrow donation, community volunteers, and environmental protection. This project uses the activities of “Banqiao Jing Si Hall” in 2018 as the scope of evaluation and conduct classification and calculation based on the six major aspects: “Poverty Relief and Provide Aid in the Education of Young Students,” “Compassion for Humanity and Disaster Relief,” “Welfare Services and Physical and Mental Health Care,” “Community Care and Putting Localization into Practice,” “Provide Guidance to Volunteers for Cultivation and Empowerment” and “Promotion of Values and Pass on the Philosophy.

15/09/2020