More than 200 community projects across the UK have been funded through £1.1million donated through the Travis Perkins Managed Services (TPMS) social value fund since the start of the year.
Working directly with housing associations and local authorities, TPMS provides materials and products for the repair and maintenance of the social housing sector. Social value is an important part of its work, with funding ringfenced for investment in social value projects at the start of each contract. This is then used to support projects in the local area that provide meaningful improvements to the communities in which they are working.
In total, 211 projects have been funded since the start of the year for 67 customers. This has included a vast range of different projects, from running a schools insight visit in Derby, to supporting a financial literacy programme, upgrading a shopping precinct in Northampton, installing defibrillators in Southampton, and supporting a series of projects with youth skills training programme delivery partner Volunteer It Yourself.
Michelle Smith, Social Value Manager at Travis Perkins Managed Services, said: "It's absolutely crucial that in our industry we are offering really good, impactful social value within our contracts.
"Social value creates wider economic, social, and environmental benefits to a community beyond the building and management of homes. It has positive impacts like improved mental health, local job creation, and enhanced financial resilience for residents.
"Local authorities and housing associations are really stretched, which makes ensuring meaningful engagement in this area even more important, as social value funding can make a world of difference to a community that otherwise they may not see."
Projects are aligned to address some of the most pressing societal issues, including community engagement, food or fuel poverty, social progress and wellbeing, and community cohesion and placemaking.
The flexibility of the social value funding model has enabled Cottsway Housing – which has some 6,000 properties across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire – to deliver smaller repairs free of charge for vulnerable customers. This could be relatively simple jobs such as changing a toilet seat, fitting a security chain, or installing blinds and curtain poles, but which residents would normally be expected to undertake.
Chris Edeson, Operations Manager at Cottsway, said: "This approach has enabled us to provide practical, customer-focused support, and being able to say yes to these requests has made a real difference. Tasks that might seem minor can be significant barriers for some customers, and it's rewarding to know that through this partnership working we're able to go further to help those who need it to live more comfortably in their homes."
