Read the key takeaways from the Social Value UK conference 2024 in Birmingham, attended by the Samtaler team. With Sarah Stone and Kate Gräfe as speakers, the event marked the launch of the Institute of Social Value (ISV) and explored insights on fostering trust, shaping long-term outcomes, and driving the future of social value.

This festive season, Giving Trees are creating moments of joy for those facing financial challenges. Initiatives like Connect Reading, Dunelm’s Delivering Joy, and Kids Day Out bring communities together, allowing people to purchase requested gifts for those in need. Whether through local collection points or online platforms, these Giving Trees ensure no one is left out. It’s a simple way to make a big difference this Christmas.

Discover how partnering with environmental specialists can drive innovation and sustainability. From achieving net zero to enhancing biodiversity, explore the benefits of expert collaboration in aligning ESG goals with impactful social value strategies. Learn about cutting-edge solutions from Nature Positive, Acclaro Advisory, and Useful Projects, and how they complement Samtaler’s work in delivering meaningful change.

Isabelle Parasram OBE, CEO of the recently rebranded Institute for Social Value (previously Social Value UK), shares her insights on the rebrand of the professional body, who it is for and how to get involved in advance of the launch at the upcoming Members Conference next week. Isabelle also discusses what politicians and policymakers may have on their radar with regard to social value and the government’s delayed Procurement Act.

Social Value is a crucial requirement in Local Authority procurement. In this blog Kate Gräfe outlines key elements procurers seek in Social Value responses, including understanding local priorities, ability to deliver locally, proven track record, and SMART deliverables. Following these guidelines can help suppliers maximise meaningful Social Value delivery and score highly in tenders.

Louise Griffiths, Samtaler’s Social Value Consultant, embarked on her journey with a passion for making a meaningful impact. Now, with over two years of experience under her belt, she reflects on the importance of networking, joining professional memberships, and committing to continuous learning. These key insights have been vital in shaping her successful career in social value.

Lorraine Cox, Director of STAR Procurement and Chair of the National Social Value Taskforce, shares her insights on why social value is more than just a buzzword — it's a vital approach to creating real benefits for communities. Discover the role of the Taskforce, upcoming changes in the Procurement Act, and how organisations can ensure every pound spent has maximum impact.

Community benefit funds are place-based funds from the owners of renewable energy projects, who will provide an annual payment for community benefit. Typically, in Scotland, this is onshore wind. The initiative offers an opportunity for communities to work with renewable energy businesses for the long-term benefit of the community.

Social Value responses in tenders are increasingly pivotal for UK public procurement success. This blog breaks down key strategies for crafting concise, high-scoring Social Value answers within strict word limits. Learn how to focus on buyer requirements, provide clear, SMART commitments, and leverage proven examples. These approaches will help suppliers effectively communicate their impact and maximise their tender scores.

We are so passionate about social value being a real mechanism for benefit either environmentally, socially or economically being delivered, so less is more. When you write a really focused question it gets really focused responses, and then you are more likely to contract manage it well.

Auticon is a social enterprise, so it's very much a case of our social mission driving everything we do. Our social mission really is focused on two things. The first thing is creating employment opportunities for autistic adults, and the second part is much more broad - creating awareness and education around neurodiversity as a whole. We work by recruiting and training people with autism to become IT consultants.