A growing trend within the public sector is the introduction of community matching, also referred to as wish lists. They assist local suppliers and offer something for suppliers not within a local authority’s area to provide a direct benefit. They are also incredibly beneficial when answering questions on social value.

So, what is a wish list? What are the benefits to your business, the public sector, and the communities they serve? We will answer this and share examples of public sector bodies that have implemented wish lists. To help suppliers understand the local community’s needs, and how they can work with them to deliver on these commitments.

What is a wish list?

Perth and Kinross Council introduced their wish list in 2019 with help from Sarah Stone, Founder & Director of Samtaler. Perth and Kinross Council approached Sarah and asked her to develop, implement, and launch their new approach to Community Benefit, which helps match third-sector organisations with suppliers who can support them.

Samtaler also assisted Clackmannanshire Council in developing their wish list and has shared knowledge and learnings with councils across Scotland and England to help as they developed similar approaches.

What are the benefits if you supply the public sector?

‘How will your organisation work to help others? For example, local charities, local community groups, resident engagement, supporting local culture and heritage.’ — Nicola Gooch, Samtaler

The above may seem familiar. However, it can also be one of the more complex social value questions to answer. Primarily if your business is situated outside the contracting authority’s local area.

A wish list is an excellent solution for how you can support the local community. It removes the fog around how you can connect with the community and local charities. It also allows a business to analyse cost implications at the tender stage and helps provide realistic promises to be delivered post-award. It also gives companies confidence that what they provide is what the community needs, even if it seems trivial. For example, a kettle and toaster for a breakfast club may not seem like an enormous contribution, but if this allows the club to continue to operate and, in turn, stops older adults from experiencing isolation, then it is essentially priceless. 

It is also crucial to note that any wish you select at the tender stage is not guaranteed to be available when you come to deliver it. So always have a few options and review wish lists regularly. 

What are the benefits to public sector organisations?

Implementing a wish list will mean that the contracting authority must divert resources however, the benefits will more than make up for this.

A wish list can be a simple online list with a link shared at the tender stage, or a more complex affair involving maps of the contracting authority’s area.

It is vital to keep the wish list up to date and that ‘wishes’ meet specific criteria before being advertised. Assisting suppliers and sub-contractors in this way will ultimately result in an increase in those businesses carrying out promises made in tenders. In addition, it can lead companies to develop longer-term, more meaningful relationships with community groups/charities.

A wish list provides a relatively uncomplicated way for a contracting authority to demonstrate support for their local third sector, community groups, and charities. Contracting authorities must always be mindful of setting the tone for their local communities around the delivery of wishes. They must clarify that although a wish is on the list, there is no guarantee that it will be delivered.

What are the benefits to the community?

A wish list can improve relations with the contracting authority and the local community, and allow finance to be directed elsewhere. In addition, it will enable communities to ask for resources that may have otherwise been out of reach. For example, suppose a community group wants to apply for funding to allow them to repair their building. In that case, they may need a building survey for the funding application. This could be delivered via a wish, allowing that group to proceed with a funding application. Ultimately, it brings the private and third sectors together and fosters long-term positive relationships.

Examples of ‘Wish Lists’

North Ayrshire Council

Launched in 2021, North Ayrshire has an online wish list that is simple to use and matches their contractors and suppliers directly with community organisations.

It is shared at the tender stage so potential suppliers can review the list and decide on wishes they may be able to support if they are successful.

Community groups complete an online form for up to 3 wishes for their organisation broken down into various categories:

• Financial (donation of money) capped at £1,000

• Materials (donation)

• Food (Donation)

• IT Equipment (Donation)

• Request for voluntary time from the contractor - general (e.g., helping at an event, general labour for a project)

• Request for voluntary time from the contractor - specific (e.g., specific financial, business, design, or other skill-based support)

• Sponsorship or fundraising support

• Other (please specify)

It makes it easy for suppliers/contractors out-with North Ayrshire and Scotland to support a local cause. However, only a third-sector organisation based in North Ayrshire can upload wishes.

It has been well received at the grassroots level and with the Council supply chain.

Birmingham City Council 

Set up by Corporate Procurement Services at Birmingham City Council. Match my Project is an online portal where businesses can find and support Birmingham-based community projects. Match My Project provides businesses and the community a platform to unite and improve their local area. It matches business resources with the local knowledge of community organisations to get things done. Community organisations can post projects they need support with, and businesses can browse through them, selecting those they’d like to support. Many community projects that receive help from companies support Birmingham City Council’s strategic objectives and vulnerable groups. Including jobs & skills, children, health, housing & homelessness, and climate change. 

As a business, you can use the site to find community projects that need the resources you can provide and offer to support them. For example, suppose you are a supplier to Birmingham City Council. In that case, the projects you deliver via Match My Project will help demonstrate how you have delivered social value in the local area. Only Birmingham-based community organisations (or those serving Birmingham citizens) can register. However, any business can offer support. You can also access a leaderboard showing the companies that have donated the most hours, the value of materials, the cash contributed, and community reviews.

Match my Project has also been adopted by Local Authorities, Governments, and Housing Associations, including Hyde Housing Association and Onward Homes. 

Social Value Unit / Northern Ireland Government

Developed by Social Value Unit (SVU) for the Northern Ireland Government (NIG), this is a database of current contracts available to view by community groups (known as brokers) and suppliers.

Brokers are organisations in NI that:

• can benefit from SV initiatives public sector suppliers deliver or;

• work with people who can benefit from SV initiatives

Brokers register by completing a form and sending it to SVU, who then upload details on the website. The website allows brokers to access a list of current public sector contractors with details of their associated social value requirements. The social value requirements can include the following:

• paid opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market

• support for schools or VCSE sector organisations

• digital inclusion activities

• work experience opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market; and

• opportunities for VCSE organisations in the supply chain.

Suppliers can also search the database for Brokers using the following criteria;

• Social Value requirement

• Priority groups (i.e., looked after children/care leavers)

• Location

• Industry (i.e., ICT)

It will then bring up a list of brokers from which suppliers can review and select. In addition, the website provides a range of online webinars for both brokers and suppliers explaining how to use the database and an explanation of how social value is scored.

Further examples of Wish Lists

Below is a list of other public bodies that have adopted a community matching process:

• East Renfrewshire Council – Project Wish List

• Ebbsfleet Garden City – Match my Project

• Perth and Kinross Council – Wish List

• London Borough of Hounslow – Hounslow Connect 

How to find out if a public sector organisation has a ‘wish list’

If a contracting authority has a wish list or something similar, they will promote this at the tender stage. If you are unsure, you can always ask in a tender qualification question if such a method is available.

How to embed this into your social value offer

Research and create a list of contracting authorities you work with regularly who have a wish list system in place, check this each time you receive a tender. Make sure that any promises you make at the tender stage are shared with the relevant delivery personnel.

Conclusion

Wish lists are an excellent way of linking businesses with the community. They have the potential for long-term relationships between the third and private sectors. In addition, it takes the headache of figuring out where to start supporting local communities away from private businesses.

This process is a simple and effective way for contracting authorities to support their third sector to flourish. It needs little resources and increases the chances of promises made in tenders delivered.

Contracting authorities need to manage third-sector expectations. Of course, only some wishes will be granted, and parameters must be set. However, with relatively little effort, you can achieve some great things!

How we can help

At Samtaler, we understand the importance of your social value commitment. You’re here because you care about the impact your business has on society and want to be better. We want you to succeed, and we know from experience that achieving social value requires skill, strategy, and support.

To find out how we can help send an email to hello@samtaler.co.uk

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