Social Value UK

Tag: Assurance

  • One Wirral CIC achieve Level One of the Social Value Management Certificate

    One Wirral CIC achieve Level One of the Social Value Management Certificate

    One Wirral CIC have successfully achieved Level 1 of the Social Value Management Certificate! To understand more about their organisation and why they chose to embrace the Principles of Social Value, we spoke to Katie Landon, Communications and Marketing Officer.

    Please tell us about your organisation and what you do

    We collaborate across sectors and organisations finding areas that need extra assistance to reduce health inequalities – helping to bridge gaps in health services and support. Using an agile approach means we can help people through practical and innovative solutions that really make a difference.

    Some of our projects and services include; cancer prehabilitation, diabetes prehabilitation, Community Health Checks, collaborating with Macmillan to deliver an innovative Personalised Care offering, providing various training, consultancy and research services as well as creating strategic partnerships.

    By using real data and evidence, talking to the community, and committing to our values, we aim to empower people to make the most of their health.

    We are committed to measuring and managing the social value our organisation is creating, which is why we became a Social Value UK Organisational Member. It allows us to understand the impact of decisions and understand the changes on people’s lives beyond measuring finances.

    Has your organisation been measuring and valuing social value for a long time, or are you at the start of your journey?

    We have always had an appreciation for social value, but have formally started to measure it over the last 12-18 months in order to understand our impact, report on it, and find areas of improvement. We started with one project, then two, and this year plan to roll out across all.

    It’s good to see that evidencing social value is being requested more and more amongst tender application processes, because it means even a greater number of organisations are required to showcase and evaluate their impact on their communities.

    What prompted your organisation to apply for the Social Value Management Certificate?

    Our directors were accredited as Level 1 Associate Practitioners, and we saw this an opportunity to celebrate the work we had done to date, highlight to partners and collaborators the importance of social value, and how it can contribute to long-term goals and missions.

    Having the organisational certificate clearly demonstrates our commitment to social value, so our stakeholders can have confidence in our approach.

    What are you putting in place to improve how social value data is collected and acted upon to create social value?

    Our directors and wider team have implemented a robust policy that means we’re always thinking of the big picture, which includes ensuring our projects and services can provide as much social value as possible. It allows us to be as accountable as possible with our outcomes, develop our internal capacity and utilise the social value hub.

    For example, with our Cancer Prehabilitation service, we regularly report the social return on investment to update to update our stakeholders and provide continuous transparency with how the service is contributing in multiple ways.

    What has your organisation learned in achieving the Social Value Management Certificate?

    During the discussions of looking at our processes and policies, it highlighted the ways we collected information could have been improved.

    Measuring and monitoring social value also makes us and our stakeholders appreciate how our projects and services are having positive impacts in ways that we may have previously not thought about, meaning we gain a lot more insight and evidence to put forward and inform various organisations or bodies, which can help also them discuss solutions and opportunities.

    Therefore, it can support our wider collaborative efforts even further.

    How do you see your organisation benefiting from achieving Level 1 of the Social Value Management Certificate?

    As well as implementing the processes in order to better collect the social value, we can use it to inform our future initiatives and make our strategic partners also aware of the benefits.

    We will also be utilising the accreditation within tender applications to highlight that we are committed to not only monitoring social value, but also maximising it.

    What initiatives will you be working on to create social value for your stakeholders?

    We’ll continue to embed measurement across all our projects and services over the next 12 months, including encouraging our partners and collaborators to do the same as it has far-reaching benefits to our communities.

    Find out more about the SVMC here.

  • Floyd Slaski achieve Level One of the Social Value Management Certificate

    Floyd Slaski achieve Level One of the Social Value Management Certificate

    Floyd Slaski Architects have successfully achieved Level 1 of the Social Value Management Certificate! To understand more about their organisation and why they chose to embrace the Principles of Social Value, we spoke to Alicia Ho, Management, Marketing and Sustainability Assistant.

    Please tell us about your organisation and what you do

    Floyd Slaski Architects Ltd is a RIBA Chartered Practice based in London. Established in 1952 we have a wide portfolio of healthcare types and facilities including community clinics, high tech diagnostics, emergency departments, operating theatres and intensive care units. Whilst healthcare forms the majority of our commissions, Floyd Slaski’s expertise also encompasses education, residential, commercial and community buildings. Our designs integrate sustainable practices and aim to create lasting and positive social value.

    Has your organisation been measuring and valuing social value for a long time, or are you at the start of your journey?

    We have been implementing Social Value initiatives and practices into our work for some time now, and it is a design consideration we are always thinking of. Working towards our Level 1 Certification has prompted us to formally record and measure our Social Value outcomes and draw up benchmarks and goals that we are able to work towards.

    What prompted your organisation to apply for the Social Value Management Certificate?

    We decided to apply for the Social Value Management Certificate to show our determination and commitment to Social Value. Prioritising social value aligns with our broader objectives and commitment to making a positive impact. There were also stakeholder expectations that influenced our decision to obtain Level 1 Certification as this reflects our responsiveness to stakeholder needs and interests. This certification will enhance our credibility, reputation and competitive advantage and will improve our ability to measure, manage and communicate our social impact effectively.

    What are you putting in place to improve how data is collected and acted upon to create social value?

    We are already contributing to social value and have these values integrated in the way we work. Moving forward we are committed to recording and calculating the social value we have provided in our past work, and for all our future projects.

    We will be working on creating further community engagement, have larger efforts in our environmental sustainability impact and ensuring diversity and inclusion in our designs, to further maximise our social impact.

    So that we can properly keep track and record our results, we will measure and report our progress in a way that enables us to have better specified target goals.

    What has your organisation learned in achieving the Social Value Management Certificate?

    The process of achieving certification has deepened our understanding of social value concepts and principles. Through this exercise, we have learnt the importance of recording data, especially quantitative data. While we were already implementing many social value initiatives in the office and in our work our understanding of social value concepts in relation to measuring and managing social value within the context of our organisation have been enhanced.

    How do you see your organisation benefiting from achieving Level 1 of the Social Value Management Certificate?

    Achieving Level 1 certification demonstrates our commitment to managing social value effectively. It enhances credibility in the eyes of our clients. Level 1 certification has encouraged us to establish basic processes for measuring and managing social value and by formalising these processes we have improved our efficiency in collecting data, assessing impact and implementing strategies to enhance social value creation.

    We have learnt a lot through the application process. Acknowledging our strengths and assessing our weaknesses has already had a big impact in the way we work. We believe that moving forward, our actions will be further empowered because of the certificate.

    What initiatives will you be working on to create social value for your stakeholders?

    1. Emphasis on improved infrastructure to benefit local residents, to foster and promote positive social interactions.

    2. Create a cost-effective sustainable building solutions to adapt in our future work.

    3. Emphasis on preserving local biodiversity by minimalising impact to nature, or restore lost biodiversity within our designs.

    4. Create a systemised action plan and maintain a record/catalogue for recording changes and any reasons for not making changes made to activities based on social value data.

    Find out more about the SVMC here.

  • Congratulations to Allison Ricket – New Level 3 Advanced Practitioner

    Congratulations to Allison Ricket – New Level 3 Advanced Practitioner

    Social Value UK are proud to announce that Allison Ricket has achieved Level 3 Advanced Practitioner status.

    Allison is Visiting Professor and Executive in Residence for Impact Measurement and SROI at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.

    Ahead of this announcement, we spoke to Allison about his experience with the assessment process…

    Why did you embark on the Social Value International Professional Pathway?

    SVI’s approach to accounting for social value is underscored by systems thinking and democratic principles of honouring the voice of those experiencing the change. Understanding the interconnectedness and complexity of impact is critical for a just and sustainable future. The SVI Professional Pathway increased my professional competencies in helping organizations measure, manage, and communicate their impact while increasing engagement with their stakeholders. Because SVI is a global network of experts, embarking on the professional pathway also allowed me to align our work in the United States at Ohio University to the global standard in measuring social value. It provided a platform for me to learn from leading experts in the field and engage with a global community of practitioners who share a common goal of creating a better world.  

    Overall, embarking on the Social Value International Professional Pathway aligned perfectly with my personal and professional goals of making a positive impact on society. By acquiring a deeper understanding of social value measurement and management, I aimed to become an advocate for social change, helping organizations and communities create sustainable and equitable outcomes.  

    What elements of the assessment were particularly useful for your learning?

    Overall, Social Value Practitioner Advanced Level 3 assessment’s peer review process provided the opportunity for consequential discussions around the data, valuation methods, and stakeholder communication process. Through the peer review process, I was able to connect to SVI’s global network of practitioners who have been working in the Impact field for decades. These individuals have not only worked in the space, they have shaped it. Talking through both successes and challenges in measuring social value for clients enabled me to refine and adopt new approaches to strengthen our methodology and engagement with clients. The peer review process also provided me with tailored professional development ideas for continuing to move our work forward. 

    How do you plan to utilise your newly acquired Level 3 Advanced practitioner skills?  

    • Leading Impact Measurement Initiatives: As the leader of the SROI and Impact Measurement team at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, I will leverage my advanced practitioner skills to spearhead impact measurement initiatives for social enterprises, impact investors, non-profits, foundations, and impact funds in the United States. Especially in rural areas in the US, there is a need to measure outcomes to multiple systems in a way that can be communicated to often far-away state or national entities that could provide substantial funding opportunities to local communities. The use of SROI to measure and monetize sometimes intangible, relational outcomes is a step in the direction of honouring the diverse, strength-based contributions of rural stakeholders while giving voice to the outcomes those stakeholders prioritize as most important to their communities. The power of SROI lies in articulating a narrative counter to the stories of extraction and lack repeated about rural areas.
    • Advising and Influencing Policy: With my expertise in impact measurement and my role as an advisor to national organizations and federal policymakers, I will utilize my Level 3 Advanced practitioner skills to contribute to the development of impactful policies. By employing rigorous data analysis and evaluation techniques, I can provide evidence-based recommendations and advocate for the integration of social value principles into policy frameworks. This will help shape decisions at a systemic level, promoting the consideration of social and environmental outcomes alongside economic considerations.
    • Strengthening Collaborations and Networks: Collaboration plays a crucial role in driving social impact. With my Level 3 Advanced practitioner skills, I will actively engage in building and strengthening collaborations and networks within US social impact ecosystem. My goal is to partnerships that facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources, and best practices. This will enable collective action and amplify the social value generated by organizations and initiatives.
    • Contributing to Research and Thought Leadership: Given my research interests in asset-based approaches to community building, social entrepreneurial ecosystems, and holistic community well-being, I plan to utilize my advanced practitioner skills to contribute to research and thought leadership in these areas. Through rigorous research methodologies and data analysis, I can generate insights that advance the understanding and implementation of social value principles. This will help shape the discourse around impact measurement and inform future practices and policies.  

    Are you embedding social value and SROI into any current projects? Can you tell us about them?

    At the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University, I lead a team of researchers in conducting SROIs and social value analyses for large and small clients. Most recently, we conducted an SROI study of the $10M Columbus & Franklin County Small Business Recovery Fund, aimed at assisting small businesses in the aftermath of the pandemic. We are also currently working on a number of projects that include an SROI for The Boys and Girls Clubs Ohio Alliance and an SROI for PassionWorks, a local social enterprise. Our university team is also partnering with Tim Goodspeed to complete a set of wellbeing valuations that will be available in the US

    What does it mean to you to be part of a global network? How can you contribute to the social value movement and what issues/areas do you intend to address?

    Being part of a global network allows me to share my expertise, experiences, and best practices with others while also learning from their insights. By engaging in knowledge sharing and collaboration, we can collectively advance the field of social value measurement and management. The current body of knowledge project, which I am facilitating with Social Value US, seeks to engage this global network in order to build a framework that outlines key concepts, theories, methodologies, and skills necessary for the practice of impact measurement and management. Through both the BOK work and my work in applied research at a university in the U.S., I hope to further engage the academic community in conversations and practice in social value, impact measurement and management, and the ecosystems that support social enterprises. As we engage the academic community, we therefore expand access to these concepts and practices to the next generation of entrepreneurs, researchers, thinkers, and leaders who are all hungry for ways to think differently about addressing social, environmental, and economic goals. 

    “Becoming the first Level 3 Advanced Practitioner in the United States is an honour and a privilege. This achievement speaks to Ohio University’s commitment to being at the vanguard of interdisciplinary work to create a more sustainable and just future not just for our region in the US but also for the world. In addition, becoming a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner will continue to help carry forward the conversation of measuring and managing impact in the US.” – Allison Ricket, Visiting Professor and Executive in Residence for Impact Measurement and SROI at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service

  • Alessandra Leach – Now a Level 1 Social Value Associate

    Alessandra Leach – Now a Level 1 Social Value Associate

    Social Value UK are proud to announce that Alessandra Leach has achieved Level 1 Social Value Associate Status.

    Alessandra is a Consultant in Healthcare Strategy & Planning at Lexica.

    Lexica is a multi-disciplinary specialist consultancy. They help public sector organisations deliver better outcomes through the unparalleled capability, commitment, and collaboration of their team.

    As a social enterprise, wholly owned by an NHS Trust, they are unique in terms of our business ethics, their insights into the working of a major public sector providers and their access to visionary expertise. With over 100 specialists, Lexica includes world-renowned experts who laid the foundations in the subject areas in which they operate. Their reputation for continuous improvement is reflected in their ability to attract, develop and retain the brightest entrants to the market and in the remarkable stability and resilience of their team. This ensures that their clients receive the benefits, not only of experienced practitioners, but also the creativity and innovative thinking of the generation which will shape the future.

    Visit their website HERE

    Ahead of this announcement, we spoke to Alessandra about her experience with the assessment process…

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Professional Pathway?

    Working with clients in the NHS and wider Health sector, social impact is central to every project I work on. I hope that improving my understanding of impact management through the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway will allow me to better support clients in identifying, appraising and ultimately delivering value to their communities.

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process?

    Learning about SVI’s Principles has been incredibly helpful in framing the way I approach projects. The assessment process has given me a solid understanding of the theory that underpins impact management, which I hope to draw from and build upon as I continue my social value journey.

    Now that you are a Level 1 Social Value Associate what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills? 

    I continue to look for opportunities to embed social value principles in my work. I am excited to connect and share ideas with other SVI practitioners. Lexica is currently reviewing its own approach to social value. I hope to use the knowledge I have gained through the assessment process to support the development and implementation of Lexica’s Social Value strategy.

    Are there any other specific projects you are doing at the moment that are related to SROI and social value?

    I am currently refining our methodology for identifying and appraising the social benefits associated with health infrastructure investments, with a view to achieving SVI report assurance. A recent project I worked on using this methodology to demonstrate the SROI of a new hospital has been developed into a workshop case study by SVI.

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    This is an incredibly exciting time for social value and I look forward to learning from the knowledge and experience of the international practitioner community. I am interested to hear about the work that other practitioners are involved in and explore opportunities to work together in the interest of furthering the social value movement.

    In particular, I am keen to engage in the conversation about social value within consultancy and how, as consultants, we can maximise the benefit we provide, both directly to our clients, and indirectly to the communities they serve.

    “I am thrilled to have gained Level 1 Social Value Associate status with Social Value International. I look forward to contributing to the growing practitioner community and using my knowledge of impact management to support the social value goals of Lexica’s clients.” – Alessandra Leach

  • NEW Level 3 Advanced Practitioner – Tom Chan

    NEW Level 3 Advanced Practitioner – Tom Chan

    Social Value UK are proud to announce that Tom Chan has achieved Level 3 Advanced Practitioner status.

    Tom is a Manager at the Hong Kong Council of Social Services.

    The HKCSS is a statutory body established in 1947. Together with their Agency Members, they uphold social justice and equality in their mission to advance the well-being of the Hong Kong community. The HKCSS is committed to building an impact-oriented, collaborative and innovative social service sector, and co-creating a better society with stakeholders across different sectors. The HKCSS has over 510 Agency Members, with service units throughout Hong Kong, providing high-quality social services to those in need.

    Ahead of this announcement, we spoke to Tom about his experience with the assessment process…

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Professional Pathway?

    Through the SVI practitioner pathway, I can stay tuned for the global trend and new development in the profession of impact measurement and management. SVI also envisions a community for exchanging and discussing professional practices of impact measurement.

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process?

    The assessment process was like a peer review. The assessor made good observations on the report and gave me valuable advice. It’s an enjoyment to discuss the technical details of the report with an experienced practitioner who has solid field experience.

    Now that you are a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills? 

    There are lots of conferences, workshops, activities and webinars, as well as publications organised and published by SVI and its affiliated networks, such as the Hong Kong Institute of Social Impact Analysts (HKI-SIA). All in all, I will share my experience in Hong Kong and the larger community and encourage more people to undertake the SVI practitioner pathway.

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    By having consensus on the principles and systemic framework for impact measurement and management, more talents could join this sector and the cost for accounting social value will be lower, thus building up a world that is more sensitive to social value.

    “It is a testament to one’s dedication to advancing the field of impact measurement and to driving a more equitable and sustainable world.” – Tom Chan

  • Announcing New Level Three Advanced Practitioner – Adam Knight-Markiegi!

    Announcing New Level Three Advanced Practitioner – Adam Knight-Markiegi!

    Social Value UK are proud to announce Adam Knight-Markiegi, Research Director at M·E·L Research, has achieved Level Three Advanced Practitioner status.

    M·E·L Research is one of the UK’s leading social research and behavioural insights consultancies. Our vision is to make a positive difference to organisations, employees, customers and wider society. Our mission is to empower our people to make a positive difference, using their passion and skills in listening to and understanding people, to provide actionable insight, that helps our customers deliver better public services.

    Visit their website here

    Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Adam’s experience with the Level Three assessment process:

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway?

    I started my SROI training back in 2018 with the two-day practitioner course. I’ve also liked how SROI is a great bridge between qualitative and quantitative approaches to understanding what changes for stakeholders. It’s rewarding to work with organisations to capture their wider social impact and help improve their social value.

    The SVI Practitioner Pathway, especially the Level 3 Advanced status, is a public show of a deep understanding of social value measurement and proof – and commitment – of demonstrating this to high standards.

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process? How did you find working with your assessor?

    Having my single-handed SROI report externally assessed was really useful. Because of the demands of the Practitioner application, you can’t get lots of input into the SROI evaluation from colleagues or others. Every decision really does come back to you – with stakeholder involvement, of course. This means an external pair of eyes assessing your work becomes really valuable, helping to emphasise the good parts but also pick up areas to improve.

    Now that you are a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

    We carry out lots of evaluations at M·E·L Research, though not so many SROI ones so far. I will grow this here. Part of this has been encouraging a colleague to go on the SROI Practitioner Training. Now as an Advanced Practitioner myself, I want to nurture these skills in colleagues and help to apply the SROI principles in other, non-social value project

    Are there any other specific projects you are doing at the moment that are related to SROI/social value?

    A live SROI evaluation is of Steps to Work’s BRIDGES project, aiming to tackle poverty and social inclusion in the Black Country. As well as assessing the project’s aims against programme objectives, we’re also unearthing other changes for participants, partners (like colleges and employers) and other stakeholders. The findings will address funder requirements but also give Steps to Work useful insight into how such projects work and who benefits most from them, therefore feeding into their future projects.

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    For me, it comes back to SROI principles and applying these. This even includes the new Principle 8 of being responsive. My externally assessed report was an SROI evaluation of the Birmingham School of Bell Ringing, an entirely volunteer-run organisation helping people learn to ring church bells. I learnt to ring there and have returned as a volunteer helper, then analyst and now evaluator. As an ‘insider’, I know how the report findings are already making a change to how the School operates. The School has been responsive and I’ve taken up another voluntary role, as Pastoral Manager, so am also being responsive.

    “I’m delighted to have been recognised as a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner. Going back to the start of the SROI evaluation I’ve used for the assessment, this is the end point in a year-long journey. Great to be recognised for the hard work and commitment to social value and social impact measurement.”

    Adam Knight-Markiegi, Research Director at M·E·L Research

    For more information from Adam, reach out via Adam.Knight-Markiegi@melresearch.co.uk

    Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.

  • Congratulations Natalie Wilson- A New Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Congratulations Natalie Wilson- A New Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Social Value UK are proud to announce Natalie Wilson, Research Associate at Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, has achieved Level One Associate Practitioner status.

    Ohio University’s Social Enterprise Ecosystem has a dual mission: bringing venture development services to regional social enterprises, which combine a market-based approach with a mission for social good, and capacity-building for philanthropic funders interested in impact investment.

    Visit their website here

    Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Natalie’s experience with the assessment process:

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway? What has led to your application for Level 1 of Practitioner?

    I work in the field of Program Evaluation in the United States, where SROI is less prevalent than in other areas of the world. I wanted to pursue this training to prepare myself in furthering the practice of SROI in this country. I feel measuring social impacts is crucial and needs to be a clear and consistent focus in the US and beyond.

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process?

    There was so much that I learned from the training and assessment. The cultural difference in SROI in the UK and SROI in the US was especially eye-opening.

    Now that you are a Level 1 Associate Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

    I want to incorporate SROI into more of my evaluation projects so that clients will be able to use it as part of their story to advocate for funding and show the true value of their services.

    Are there any other specific projects you are doing at the moment that are related to SROI/social value?

    My small SROI team and I are working to set up systematic SROI research studies that can be updated yearly for all grantees funded through one foundation so they will be able to measure their collective social, environmental, and economic impact. We hope this will be a benefit to the foundation, but also to each individual grantee.

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    I specialise in working in and for Appalachia, a small and unique population within the mountainous eastern US. Joining a global community is an excellent way to ensure my perspective remains broad and well-rounded.

    “I’m happy to call myself a Level 1 Associate Practitioner with Social Value International. I hope to further the movement towards accounting for and measuring social value here in the United States as comprehensively as we see the practice in other regions in the world.”

    Natalie Wilson – Research Associate at Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service

    For more information from Natalie, reach out via n.b.wilson@protonmail.ch

    Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.

  • Announcing Gerard Grattan as a Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Announcing Gerard Grattan as a Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Social Value UK are proud to announce Gerard Grattan, Director & Improvement Coach at Impactara Ltd., has achieved Level One Associate Practitioner status.

    Impactara Ltd. is a continuous improvement consultancy based in Glasgow, Scotland. They support purpose-driven organisations, charities and social enterprises to make the most out of their existing resources with simple ways of working.

    Visit their website here

    Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Gerard’s experience with the assessment process:

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway? What has led to your application for Level 1 of Practitioner?

    I started gaining insights into impact assessment and SROI 5 years ago whilst making the transition from an established career in the corporate sector towards a portfolio career putting positive impact at its centre. Up until now I would bring in experienced Social Value practitioners when needed in projects I was involved in and always enjoyed their approach and skills therefore decided it was time for me to boost my understanding and competence to do so.

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process?

    Learning about the principles and overall Value Map in a much deeper level to what I had seen before. I found the wealth of combined expertise and examples from others very powerful to translate what was on paper to real life application.

    Now that you are a Level 1 Associate Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

    I intend to use upcoming clients work as an opportunity to practise these newly acquired practitioner skills to help clients understand, measure and manage their impact.

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    I see the opportunity for impact assessment and SROI to become a global common approach to making better informed decisions for all organisations as they transition from purely profit driven to a more balanced purpose-led mindset. I am excited to be part of that opportunity and contribute where I can to the continued development of the methodology alongside the ever-growing community. I see the opportunity for impact assessment and SROI to become a global common approach to making better informed decisions for all organisations as they transition from purely profit driven to a more balanced purpose-led mindset. I am excited to be part of that opportunity and contribute where I can to the continued development of the methodology alongside the ever-growing community.

    “I’m proud to have taken this first step becoming a Level 1 Associate Practitioner with Social Value International and reinforces my commitment to helping others have a more positive impact in this world.”

    Gerard Grattan, Director & Improvement Coach at Impactara Ltd.

    For more information from Gerard, reach out via owners@impactara.co.uk

    Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.

  • Announcing New Level Three Advanced Practitioner – Penny Court!

    Announcing New Level Three Advanced Practitioner – Penny Court!

    Social Value UK are proud to announce Penny Court, Senior Associate (Impact) at Moore Kingston Smith, has achieved Level Three Advanced Practitioner status.

    The Fundraising and Management team (MKSFM) is a subsidiary business of Moore Kingston Smith. MKSFM provides specialised consultancy and advisory services to the not for profit sector. As a team they have three main areas of expertise: financial management, strategic fundraising support and impact measurement and reporting. They help clients improve their business models, remodel their finance functions, diversify their funding streams and measure, manage and articulate their social value.

    Visit their website here

    Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Penny’s experience with the Level Three assessment process:

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway?

    I decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway because, as someone working in the world of impact measurement and management, this is an invaluable accreditation to have. As an impact practitioner I knew the Pathway would be beneficial to my development as a professional and it gives me the assurance that my practice is sound and in line with international standards.

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process? How did you find working with your assessor?

    It didn’t feel like I was being examined but rather that my assessor was supporting me and genuinely wanted me to achieve. I learnt a great deal through the assessment process. I had discussions with my assessor that made me think about things differently, and those conversations and her insightful comments really deepened my understanding of the 7 Principles and impact methodology.

    Now that you are a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

    I am excited to use my skills to help organisations contribute meaningfully to society and make better decisions that move us into a fairer and more sustainable world. In terms of what I plan to do next, I want to continue to grow and develop. The world of social value, as we know, is diverse and rapidly evolving, and there is lots to learn and contribute to. This is one of the things I love about the space – is it dynamic and there are always such exciting conversations to have, ways to get involved and new ideas blooming.

    Are there any other specific projects you are doing at the moment that are related to SROI/social value?

    My team at Moore Kingston Smith are working on a number of impact related projects at the moment. For one of our clients we are building a bespoke impact measurement framework tailored to their activities that they will be able to use going forward to not only understand and demonstrate their impact but also to help inform their strategic decisions.

    Another project we are working on is with a charity that provides housing and support for people with mental health issues. We are conducting a predictive impact report for this client that will allow them to see how it is they are helping to create change for their clients and where there is opportunity to optimise their impact. The analysis will also be an excellent way to demonstrate the social value they generate to commissioners.

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    This global social value community is hugely important to me. I have loved being a part of it so far and have learnt so much from others. The webinar, conferences, and exchanges have allowed me to connect with many brilliant people. I regularly find myself listening and learning from someone who is sitting in Canada or Africa, or has done some exciting work somewhere in Europe. I sign up to as many things as my diary will allow! As the movement expands and we continue to develop and refine how we measure and account for value in the world, I am increasingly aware that our global community is the life force of this.

    “It was hard work but I am over the moon to have been accredited as a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner. This is a real milestone for me as I continue to develop my experience and skillset in the world of social value. I feel privileged to be a part of this global community who are all doing things differently and making the world we live in fairer and more sustainable. It’s a big task but we are committed!”

    Penny Court, Senior Associate (Impact)at Moore Kingston Smith

    For more information from Penny, reach out via pcourt@mks.co.uk

    Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.

  • Congratulations Elisabet del Valle- A New Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Congratulations Elisabet del Valle- A New Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Social Value UK are proud to announce Elisabet del Valle, Co-founder of Cliclab Transformative Agent, has achieved Level One Associate Practitioner status.

    Cliclab is a transformative agent. A non-traditional consulting agency that focusses the attention on the attitude as a driver force to transform corporations. They are a motivated, interdisciplinary, and international team of experts in different fields, able to see the company in 360º. They assess and train companies in soft & hard skills to faster, innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability and social impact, business strategy and positive working environment.

    Visit their website here

    Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Elisabet’s experience with the assessment process:

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway? What has led to your application for Level 1 of Practitioner?

    I have known the organisation for many years, and I am very aligned with its values and objectives. Social Value is doing a very important job in standardising the measurement of social impact. For this reason I have decided to consolidate my training in this field with the accredited courses of Social Value.

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process?

    I have reviewed all the principles and values of the methodology and the organisation. And learned better the theoretical bases to perform SROIs.

    Now that you are a Level 1 Associate Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

    I would like to progress to Level 2 Accredited Practitioner status and improving my knowledge and training to apply it directly in a professional way.

    Are there any other specific projects you are doing at the moment that are related to SROI/social value?

    We are experts in innovation, and we participate in different innovative projects to measure its social and sustainable impact. Also, we manage sustainability strategy and measure the impact of different public and private organisations related to innovation and RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation).

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    There is very little awareness of the importance of measuring social impact to contribute to the sustainability of the planet. There are many divergences in the measurement of it, so it is important to share knowledge among all. And achieve a homogenised of the data and processes to improve professionalisation in this field.

    “I’m very glad to have become a Level 1 Associate Practitioner with Social Value International. Since I was a child, I have believed that together we can improve the world, and this is a little step to go through to achieve this.”

    Elisabet del Valle, Co-founder of Cliclab Transformative Agent

    For more information from Elisabet, reach out via bet@cliclab.cat

    Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.

  • Announcing Lynne Haddow as a Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Announcing Lynne Haddow as a Level One Associate Practitioner!

    Social Value UK are proud to announce Lynne Haddow, Director & Improvement Coach at Impactara Ltd., has achieved Level One Associate Practitioner status.

    Impactara Ltd. is a continuous improvement consultancy based in Glasgow, Scotland. They support purpose-driven organisations, charities and social enterprises to make the most out of their existing resources with simple ways of working.

    Visit their website here

    Ahead of this announcement, we had a discussion about our Practitioner Pathway and Lynne’s experience with the assessment process:

    Why have you decided to undertake the Social Value International Practitioner Pathway? What has led to your application for Level 1 of Practitioner?

    Our work at Impactara Ltd. aims to help organisations make positive impact improvements. I wanted to learn more about impact measurement to get a good grasp of how to help purpose-driven organisations measure their impact and demonstrate their value

    What did you learn and find useful from this assessment process?

    The assessment process helped me to focus what I had learned and apply it to theoretical situations which, in turn, helped clarify my understanding.

    Now that you are a Level 1 Associate Practitioner what do you plan to do next to develop your practice? How do you plan to use your practitioner skills?

    I plan to build on the knowledge gained and use it to help clients better understand, measure and manage their impact.

    You have now joined a community of practice around the globe. What does this mean to you and why do you want to participate and contribute to the development of the methodology and overall social value movement?

    Being part of a community of practice around the globe means that we can learn from and support each other. I look forward to discussions with others and aiding in the continued improvement of the social value movement.

    “Becoming an Associate Practitioner with Social Value International demonstrates our commitment to supporting the social value movement and to helping others improve their positive impact.”

    Lynne Haddow, Director & Improvement Coach at Impactara Ltd.

    For more information from Lynne, reach out via lynne@impactara.co.uk

    Interested in becoming an Associate Practitioner? Find out more here.