A Year of Social Value with Helen, Our Social Value Coordinator

I joined as Social Value Coordinator in November 2022 to deliver our commitments to local community initiatives under a new contract with Bristol City Council. Over the past two years, my role has grown alongside our expanding social value commitments, and I now lead projects across the UK, all focused on creating meaningful, positive change.

Our social value impact 

Social value has become increasingly important to councils, especially under the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, which requires organisations like ours to consider how we can secure broader social, economic, and environmental benefits for the communities we serve. This means that alongside ensuring councils receive the best value for money, strategic priorities such as job creation, enhancing supplier resilience, reducing emissions, and fostering innovation should play a key role in awarding contracts. 

We’ve always considered social value to be an integral part of the work we do as we work closely with our council partners to drive meaningful action, guided by the government’s TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures) framework. But don’t just take our word for it—this year, we became Planet Mark certified, recognising our social value contribution of £28 million in 2022. Planet Mark is a global certification that tracks and supports continuous improvement in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing social impact, providing transparency and trust. 

Here's a snapshot of some of this year’s initiatives and the positive changes we have supported.  

Supporting young people 

Through various initiatives we’ve provided practical experiences to young people, which helps them gain confidence and make informed decisions for the future. In Bristol, we partnered with local industry leaders to give a student valuable insights into the advertising and media sectors. We also joined Air Balloon Hill Primary School’s Book Buddies programme, where our volunteers contributed 25 hours to support literacy development. In addition we also teamed up with North East Scotland College in Aberdeen, to host webinars and showcase students’ eco-friendly fashion designs on our digital screens, creating a platform for sustainable, local business engagement.  

Working with people to access employment    

Everyone has different needs and priorities, which is why we are working to offer more tailored career support. At the Staple Hill Community Hub in Bristol, we’ve dedicated 34 hours to helping job seekers through 1-2-1 support. In partnership with Borderlands, a charity supporting refugees, we contributed 20 volunteer hours to help an asylum seeker improve their English, prepare for exams, and offer job-seeking guidance. We also had the pleasure of welcoming PROPs, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, to our Bristol depot. Together, we guided participants in creating engaging digital content for city-wide displays on our screens, offering them a one-of-a-kind professional experience in the process. 

Engaging with Communities 

As part of our partnership with councils, we offer free media space to local charities. Many charitable organisations have limited resources, so offering this space can make a real difference in reaching those who need it most. For example, in Sunderland, we offer two-week campaigns on our digital screens each year which enables them to raise awareness of vital local causes and engage with the community. 

Our dedicated depot teams have been at the heart of supporting local projects, contributing over 250 hours to community-focused green initiatives. From Plymouth to Glasgow, their efforts have transformed allotments, enhanced school grounds, and revitalised community spaces. This work demonstrates our commitment to creating greener, more vibrant environments for everyone to enjoy. 

Bristol Bus Boycott

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege of working on is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott and its lasting impact. In partnership with Curiosity Unlimited, we launched the Designs4Change art competition in Bristol, inviting schools, local residents, and the wider community to reflect on and celebrate this pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. This was an opportunity to pay tribute to the legacy of the boycott and reflect on its profound and lasting influence. By showcasing the winning artwork on our screens for an entire year, we not only celebrate the creativity of the participants but also ensure this powerful story continues to inspire. 

Reaching new milestones  

It’s been a great year for delivering on our Social Value commitments. Operating as a Platform for Good enables us to reinvest in vital causes and contribute meaningfully to communities we serve, by leveraging our media space, workforce, and products to support local initiatives. It’s truly a collective effort supported by my colleagues and strengthened by our partnerships. I am truly honoured to be part of this mission and can’t wait for what we can all achieve in 2025.