Thought Leadership

Sarah Rial is the social outcomes lead at our Social Value 2032 programme partner Jacobs, and the lead author on a new report exploring how social value techniques can improve major project delivery. Infrastructure is the backbone of every country - providing connectivity, shaping places, and delivering vital services to citizens. At its core, infrastructure delivers undeniable value to society. However, budgetary constraints, competing political agendas and conflicting local and national priorities can often result in society feeling overlooked in the decision-making and delivery processes of major infrastructure projects. Speaking with professionals who work across major project delivery in a variety of roles, our research has revealed that projects often feel “inflicted” on communities, rather than being integrated into their regional and national ecosystems. This is leading to the rise of so-called “NIMBYism” (Not in My Back Yard) and criticism regarding the rising cost of major infrastructure programmes, hindering growth and equitable access to quality infrastructure in the UK. There remains an inherent tension in major infrastructure delivery. While projects aim to serve the needs of the nation, in doing so they often have profound impacts on local communities. While in some instances the national interest must be served and the price of the few may be deemed something we must bear; without a clearly articulated rationale for this decision and without carefully selected options and mitigation strategies; this adverse impact on the few can be detrimental to the project, with costs soaring and reputations irreparably damaged. So how do we overcome these challenges to unlock significant economic, environmental and social benefits and ensure these benefits are equitably distributed across society? The answer is simple: we must place people at the heart of infrastructure delivery and bring everyone on the journey with us, united by a common purpose. Infrastructure investments are often driven by societal needs. By conveying a cohesive purpose, companies can drive collective action to respond to customer and societal needs. It can support attraction and retention of high-quality talent and enhance customer loyalty. Purpose-driven companies often demonstrate better long-term performance as their sustainable practices can lead to more stable and predictable returns. As environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors become increasingly pivotal in investment decisions, purpose-driven companies can excel in ESG criteria, thereby attracting private investment. Major infrastructure delivery can benefit greatly from this approach. “Purpose-driven delivery” involves understanding the society our project serves, effectively communicating their value to stakeholders and actively listening while empathising and responding to the communities affected throughout the delivery process. Like purpose-driven organisations, this approach enhances project delivery, aids in making sound investment decisions and mitigates critical risks during execution. This concept isn’t new. The techniques and case studies are derived from established industry practices, tested on major projects in the UK. These methods are employed daily by social value and sustainability practitioners, yet many still limit “social value” to a mere question in public sector procurement. We recognise the potential of social value in achieving improved outcomes on major projects; it helps projects develop a clear “purpose” that resonates with communities, funders, staff and suppliers, uniting them behind a common mission and creating a cohesive approach that permeates every stage of the project lifecycle. Our research has confirmed that social value has been crucial in delivering project outcomes far beyond procurement. It has helped reduce risks, attract financing, foster a united culture and maximise the value delivered for every pound spent. This new publication serves as guidance, offering inspiration and lessons learned from over 40 organisations, demonstrating how social value techniques can benefit both society and projects. We aim to equip leaders, designers, commercial experts and all teams working on major projects with the tools and methodologies to adopt a “purpose-driven” approach to delivery across every project lifecycle stage. By doing so, projects will remain focused on the people they serve, creating a tangible golden thread that runs through every facet of the project and fostering a culture that prioritises doing things right for the benefit of all. This update is part of a series exploring the opportunities for social value to expand across public sector procurement and influence the spending of the UK’s largest companies. Find out more about the Social Value 2032 programme here.

We're deep into party conference season and working hard to push our message up the political agenda, so here are a few of our highlights so far...Since Keir Starmer has already set out the five missions he hopes will define his premiership, we’re urging our new mission-led government to work with mission-led businesses. Alongside our partners in the Future Economy Alliance, we’ve put together a paper making the case for how our movement can help deliver the changes needed, from making Britain a clean energy superpower to building public services fit for the future and breaking down barriers to opportunity.  We’ve already handed this to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Business Secretary Johnny Reynolds, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, Business Minister Gareth Thomas and Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government Alex Norris at conference this week - but we’re just getting started, and will be taking our message to many more political decision-makers. We also ran events including an insightful roundtable alongside Labour Business discussing the need for recognition, finance and government support to grow social enterprise. Our business breakfast at Baltic Creative CIC brought people who've started and supported social enterprises together to explore how the new government can unleash our sector's full potential. We convened a lively panel with Future Economy Alliance partners, chaired by our patron Baroness Glenys Thornton, and attended lots of other events with encouraging conversations about supporting our mission-led movement. With the Liberal Democrats now a renewed force in national politics, we also attended their conference in Brighton this month. We met with several MPs - including former Social Enterprise UK member Josh Babarinde, who is now the party's justice spokesperson and a strong advocate for our sector in parliament. Alliance partners will be attending Conservative Party Conference this weekend, and we'll also have a presence at the Co-operative Party's annual gathering with an exhibition stall and sponsoring drinks at a networking reception. Conference season is all about getting our asks to those with the power to help our sector grow, and showing how we can help them solve problems. You are key to this, so if you’ve spoken to your local MP, engaged with government departments, have suggestions to share or would like to support our continued work raising the profile of our sector with political stakeholders, please contact the team on policy@socialenterprise.org.uk. CLICK HERE TO READ OUR PAPER

Sign up for this webinar from Turning Point with the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt as well as others looking into the challenges facing the health and social care sector Health and care social enterprise Turning Point is hosting a series of webinars looking at some of the challenges facing the health and social care sector as part of a programme of activities to mark its 60th year.  The series will feature leading thinkers including Professor Sir Michael Marmot, former Labour Health Secretary Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt and broadcaster and academic Tom Shakespeare. For more information on the series and secure your free place at one or more of the webinars register here The webinar series in full: Can (and should) charities and social enterprises play a bigger role in the delivery of public services?  With the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt and Social Enterprise UK chief executive Peter Holbrook. Monday 14 October, 1.30-2.30pm The future of social care With writer, broadcaster and disability campaigner Tom Shakespeare CBE. Friday 18 October , 9-10am Synthetic opioids – how does the drug and alcohol treatment sector need to work differently to respond to the changing drug supply?  With harm reduction and local intelligence systems expert Michael Linnell and Turning Point Safer Lives Lead, Deb Hussey. Friday 18 October 4-5pm How can we shift the dial on health inequalities?  With Professor Sir Michael Marmot and Coventry and Warwickshire Grapevine chief executive, Clare Wightman. Tuesday 22 October 9-10am Mental health services - imagining a better future With co-production specialist and campaigner Isaac Samuels and Peter Devlin, Director of Adult Services at Essex County Council and ADASS Mental Health Policy Lead. Thursday 24 October 3-4pm Unblocking the system – how can we move more people with a learning disability out of long stay hospital? With Professor Robin Miller from the University of Birmingham.Friday 25th October 9-10am How can we reduce alcohol harm?  With Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK.Wednesday 6th November 10-11am. For more information on the series and to secure your free place register here: https://www.turning-point.co.uk/news-and-insight-detail/health-and-care-futures-webinar-series

Following our successful campaign for social enterprises to be included in the NHS pay deal, which won central government funding last year, we’re launching a new programme to support our members working in health and social care. Social enterprises deliver more than £1bn of vital NHS care across the country, while reinvesting any profits in the communities they serve. Yet the recent fight for equal treatment is a reminder that this contribution is not well recognised, even in the NHS itself. Over the next three years, our new programme will build awareness and understanding of the crucial role social enterprise plays in the NHS family. As the leading national voice for our movement, we strive to address the key issues and ambitions of our members, to ultimately create an environment where social enterprise can thrive. While we continue to champion social enterprise across governments and industry more widely, this new programme will focus on health and care specifically, engaging system leaders to ensure they have us in mind when making relevant policy and funding decisions. We know from our previous research that social enterprises are pioneering ways of integrating health and social care services that deliver huge value. Part of our work now is collecting more data and stories on the social enterprise solutions to issues in public services – providing real inspiration for the wider NHS, local authorities and central government. This growing evidence base will then support our policy advocacy on sector issues where social enterprises just want a fair playing field, such as access to digital funding or recruitment and training. We aim to build on regional workshops we held in recent years to foster constructive engagement between social enterprises, commissioners and system leaders in local and national government. It’s promising to see the ministerial appointment of Paul Corrigan, an architect of the Community Interest Company model and longstanding champion of social enterprise in healthcare, as we look to grow such recognition among key decision-makers. Our events calendar is always busy, as the world’s largest social enterprise network, but this programme will also curate specific networking and peer learning opportunities for our health and care members. We will collaborate with relevant sector leaders like the NHS Confederation, the Local Government Assocation and the Centre for Mental Health to help deliver for our members and the NHS more widely. If you’re a social enterprise health or social care provider and would like to get involved, contact our team on membership@socialenterprise.org.uk.

ChangeKitchen CIC is a social enterprise based in Balsall Heath that is passionate about food justice in our city, and has launched a September crowdfunding campaign to create positive change in the local community. Their Crowdfunding UK campaign focuses on increasing the health and wellbeing of people and families in the local community, reducing food poverty, and enabling job creation for those experiencing worklessness. Match funding from both Aviva and Access – The Foundation for Social Investment, means that for the first £150 of each donation ChangeKitchen CIC can claim match funding of x5 until 29th September 2024. Meaning £25 becomes £125, and £150 becomes a huge £750! Why is this needed? Communities are still struggling with the cost of living and food poverty, especially among families. Balsall Heath is a deeply rooted, multi-cultural neighbourhood that is also one of the most deprived in the country. ChangeKitchen CIC are proudly located in the heart of the Balsall Heath community. In the last year, ChangeKitchen CIC has seen the need for free community meals rise from 200 per week to currently over 500 per week. With this Crowdfunding campaign they are being ambitious and aiming to raise £50,000 to ensure the nutritional health and wellbeing of individuals and families during this continued cost of living crisis. What ChangeKitchenCIC will do ChangeKitchen CIC can provide a free community meal for £1 – so every £1 donated can make a real difference to a real human who is experiencing real hunger right now. ChangeKitchen CIC are using this crowdfunding campaign to raise awareness of Birmingham food insecurity, help change the financial ability of families to feed themselves nutritiously, and create added social impact: Produce and distribute more free community meals to people experiencing food poverty. Provide healthy eating training within the local Balsall Heath community supporting meal planning and promoting good household budgeting. Create and seek out more work experience and employment opportunities (for those who are struggling to find work in catering and hospitality). ChangeKitchen CIC will do this by developing their ready meal offer and creating more sales, therefore creating more income, meaning more profits will be re-invested into the ChangeKitchen CIC social enterprise aims. In the first week, over £25,000 has been raised and is already making a real difference. Local people have been donating already and businesses can book catered events through the Cooking Up Change for Birmingham Crowdfunder UK campaign page. Birgit Kehrer, founder of ChangeKitchen CIC, says, “On behalf of the whole ChangeKitchen CIC team, we are so incredibly grateful for the support and kindness of our network and the community. It’s a firm belief within our social enterprise that no one should be going hungry in this day and age. Many parents give up their own meals to ensure their children have something to eat. There is a taboo, a real sense of shame, around people not being able to afford a basic human need such as nutritious food. We, at ChangeKitchen CIC, are committed to changing that, so we’re #CookingUpChange and asking people and businesses to get behind our crowdfunding campaign and donate to make a difference this September.” The crowdfunding campaign runs until 29th September 2024. Read the ChangeKitchen UK crowdfunding journey here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/changekitchen About ChangeKitchen CIC A social enterprise based in Balsall Heath providing catering and hospitality services with profits invested in reducing food poverty, reducing food injustice, reducing food waste, and improving skills, life opportunities and healthy eating by providing volunteering, training and community meals for vulnerable people in the local community. www.changekitchen.co.uk/ _ _ _ About Crowdfunder UK At Crowdfunder, we're on a mission to spread positivity across the globe. United for good, our team is dedicated to turning innovative community ideas into meaningful realities, going beyond the confines of traditional fundraising. We're a unique force in crowdfunding, driven by a desire to think creatively and address societal challenges through community-driven change and engagement. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ _ _ _ About Cooking Up Change for Birmingham We're Crowdfunding to ensure the wellbeing of our communities during this cost of living crisis. This new initiative allows us to use our experience as a social enterprise event caterer to share our delicious and nutritious recipes with everyone! www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/changekitchen/

While the Awards are hosted by Social Enterprise UK, such a special event would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors, so we're very grateful for their foresight and wisdom in supporting our pioneering sector. Our sponsors know what we know: that social enterprise is the future, it’s the best of Britain, and the best of business. These important allies at organisations of all sectors and sizes work as social intrapreneurs, championing our way of working and helping to grow our brilliant movement. Read more below about our sponsorship family – and please get in touch if you’d like to join our supporter network, building partnerships and demonstrating commitment to social enterprise. Barclays Business Banking Barclays Eagle Labs help social ventures to start, grow and scale through our suite of support for the UK Tech Ecosystem. We offer a range of services including our online Eagle Labs Academy, access to mentors, growth programmes, corporate connectivity and networking for social entrepreneurs at all stages of growth. We are proud to partner with London Social Ventures to deliver support via a network of 11 universities alongside other partners such as Impact Hub, Sustainable Ventures and x+why dedicated to supporting social impact businesses across our UK-wide physical sites. We have an international diverse supplier portal within Barclays, intended to help smaller SMEs to access our procurement opportunities as part of our ‘buy social’ mission, plus specialist internal teams dedicated to supporting VCSEs and the impact investment market. barclays.co.uk | @BarclaysUK BDO LLP BDO’s “Investing for Impact” agenda underpins our ambitions to help our teams, the business world and wider society succeed. Part of this approach is ensuring we understand our supply chain, embedding social and responsible purchasing with our existing and potential suppliers. In our last financial year, BDO worked with 14 social enterprises and spent over £315,000 – and we have an ambitious target to do even more this year, in part through our commitment to Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge. We’ve also invested £8m in developing our workforce of 8,000 people and have set up initiatives to ensure that our recruitment, retention and pipeline are reflective of the society in which we operate. This includes the launch of our newest staff network, Bridge, which is centred around social mobility. Our commitment to developing talent wherever it starts is why we are proud to be supporting the Education, Training & Jobs Social Enterprise category at this year’s awards – whilst also celebrating the success of Social Enterprise UK on its journey. bdo.co.uk | @BDOaccountant Better Society Capital At Better Society Capital, we are proud to support Social Enterprise UK, as sponsor of the Social Investment Deal of the Year Award. It is so important to recognise the entrepreneurs and organisations striving to make a real positive impact on society, and the role that capital can play in supporting this goal. In light of current economic, social and environmental challenges, we will need to use every tool available to help support our communities – including social investment. This event celebrates the inspirational work of people who look to make a difference through business, and this is central to the mission of Good Finance: a collaborative project co-funded by Better Society Capital and Access - The Foundation for Social Investment. Good Finance exists to help charities & social enterprises navigate the world of social investment through their website, programmes and events, all of which aim to build knowledge of social investment and connect social enterprises and charities to the right investors. bettersocietycapital.com | @BetterSocCap Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies At Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies, we recognise the need to embrace social enterprises within our supply chain and enable the valuable work of those businesses – protecting vulnerable people, supporting climate action, and creating resilient communities. Since joining the Social Enterprise UK community, we have sought to collaborate with social enterprises in working towards our vision: to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable world. We are delighted to support the UK Social Enterprise Awards for the second year in 2024, and would like to congratulate all of tonight's winners as well as those who made this year's shortlist; we look forward to seeing what these purpose-led businesses will do next. bunzlchs.com | @BunzlCleaning Clear Voice As a social enterprise, social impact is at the heart of our mission. The profits generated from our interpreting, translation and accessibility services allow us to fund and train refugees to become interpreters via our InPower Project (nominated for Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year tonight). In 2023/24, we also donated £3.2m to our parent charity Migrant Help and generated an additional £3.3m in social value. Our clients - from private businesses to public and third-sector organisations - make this possible. We are proud to sponsor the Buy Social Market Builder Award, which recognises organisations that prioritise spending with purpose. clearvoice.org.uk | @ClearVoiceUK The Clink Events The menu this evening has been produced in The Clink Kitchens at HMP Downview by serving prisoners training with The Clink Events. Service staff, made up of graduates of The Clink’s training schemes and young disadvantaged people, are given intensive training and support in order to achieve a Level 1 NVQ in Hospitality. This education and work-based experience equips them with self-confidence along with the skills and ability to serve guests efficiently and professionally. Clink Events takes a modern approach to event catering, creating delicious food made from fresh, local ingredients. Where possible, Clink Events uses ingredients grown in the Clink Gardens at HMP Send, ensuring food is seasonal and full of flavour. Clink Events are proud to have partnered with Carbon Neutral Britain to measure and offset their carbon footprint, and are now certified as a carbon neutral business. theclinkcharity.org | @TheClinkCharity Company Shop Group A decade ago, we at Company Shop Group founded our not-for-profit social enterprise Community Shop, a unique social supermarket that aimed to address the root causes of food insecurity in the UK’s most deprived communities. Our interconnected yet distinctly separate business model has allowed us to provide sustainable long-term support for over 73,000 families, whilst our for-profit Company Shop ‘surplus supermarkets’ help the industry tackle the important issue of food waste with redistribution. We’re proud to support the Consumer-Facing category at the UK Social Enterprise Awards this year, as passionate ambassadors for social enterprises and the great work they deliver. companyshopgroup.co.uk | @Company_Shop The Connectives The Connectives are a team of experienced consultants with a track record at board, executive and senior leadership levels in commercial and social enterprises. We partner with you to develop better ways of working, so that you can create sustainable commercial success while fostering positive social and environmental outcomes. We’re delighted to sponsor the UK Social Enterprise Awards: an event that highlights and celebrates the incredible work of innovative social entrepreneurs across the country. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we support the people and organisations who are committed to protecting our planet and building a better future for our communities. theconnectives.com | @TheConnectives Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the UK’s largest independent funders. We aim to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future, and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK. We do this by contributing all that we can to unlock change by people and organisations with brilliant ideas who share our goals. We believe communities can thrive when the local economy works better for the people who live there, and where they are at the heart of change. So, we’re thrilled to sponsor the Community-based Social Enterprise Award, which recognises remarkable social enterprises playing a vital role in their communities. esmeefairbairn.org.uk | @EsméeFairbairn GLL GLL is the UK's largest staff-owned charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and cultural services in partnership with 70 local councils, public agencies and sporting organisations. We're one of only three UK leisure businesses to be endorsed by Which? magazine as a recommended provider. Sponsoring the One to Watch Award emphasises the potential of social enterprises - from exciting start-ups to established national brands like ours - to change lives. To succeed at scale and last the course, social enterprises must not only follow sound customer-centred business principles, but also never lose sight of the reason we exist, and the ethical values that set us apart from the private sector. gll.org | @GLL_UK Keegan & Pennykid Keegan & Pennykid is an independent, second generation, family-owned insurance brokers with a UK-wide reputation as ethical and expert advisors to the third sector.  With over 55 years of experience under our belts we are proud to be known as dedicated specialists to the third sector, providing each of our clients with a highly personalised service.  Keegan & Pennykid is proud to sponsor the UK Social Enterprise Awards and recognise the invaluable work that organisations do in addressing and helping to alleviate social and environmental issues within the UK and wider world. keegan-pennykid.com | @KeeganPennykid Landmarc Landmarc works in partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to manage the Ministry of Defence’s 190,000 hectare UK Defence Training Estate. Managing such a remote and rural estate makes Landmarc an important rural employer, a significant environmental manager and a maintainer of community relationships, in addition to our core role of support services to DIO. Delivering social value is therefore important to us, and we are delighted to join Social Enterprise UK to celebrate all those who deliver exceptional services to business and to society, by sponsoring the Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year Award. Good luck to all the finalists. landmarcsolutions.com | @LandmarcNews Linklaters As part of our commitment to buying social, and a member of the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, Linklaters is delighted to sponsor the Prove It: Social Impact category at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024. Our sponsorship reflects our dedication to social causes that foster positive impacts for the communities we operate in. This dedication is demonstrated through our global volunteering efforts, pro-bono work, mentoring of young people, and support for diverse and innovative social businesses. We wish all the finalists the best of luck, and look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements at the awards ceremony. linklaters.com | @LinklatersLLP Mitie Mitie is dedicated to delivering social value: fostering a responsible supply chain, aligned with the UK Social Value Model and UN Sustainable Development Goals, is central to how we drive positive social change. Diversity is embedded in our supply chain, and our focus on equal opportunities ensures we actively work to identify and engage suppliers through Social Enterprise UK and others, such as MSDUK. We’ve spent £7.5m+ supporting purpose-led organisations since 2021, and £4.3m+ with VCSEs since joining Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge in 2022. We are proud to support the UK Social Enterprise Awards and wish all nominees and guests an enjoyable evening. mitie.com | @Mitie Nestlé UK&I Supporting social enterprise is a key foundation of our Nestle Community regeneration approach. We are proud to be members of the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, which we joined a few years ago in partnership with Sodexo, and excited about the opportunities to work with more social enterprises in the coming years. This is in line with our Procurement Supplier Diversity programme, as social enterprises also help us to actively work with more diverse suppliers – something that is close to our hearts. As such we are delighted to sponsor the Building Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award and would like to congratulate all of tonight's winners and those shortlisted. nestle.com | @NestleUKI NFU Mutual At NFU Mutual, we make a conscious effort to do business the right way. In 2021, we became a proud partner on Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge; we are committed to supporting social enterprises and directing our spend on products and services towards businesses that create change. Last year, we worked with 39 different social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations, supporting causes from developing entrepreneurial skills in young people to empowering refugees with training and employment opportunities. We are delighted to be part of the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024 and help celebrate the achievements of different social enterprises. Congratulations to all the winners, and those shortlisted. nfumutual.co.uk | @NFUM PwC At PwC, we support social entrepreneurs to create sustainable, resilient businesses. Sharing the skills of our people with social entrepreneurs goes to the heart of our purpose to build trust in society and solve important problems. Our successful PwC Social Entrepreneurs Club helps our membership of 400+ to develop skills, connect with other leaders, overcome challenges and maximise impact. As one of the founding members of Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge back in 2016, we are proud to now have over 50 social enterprises in our supply chain and spend around £1.5m a year with them. We are delighted to support the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024, and would like to congratulate all of tonight's winners and those who made this year's shortlist. pwc.co.uk | @PwC_UK Zurich Insurance Zurich is committed to supporting a fairer, more open and sustainable society, and aims to generate positive social impact within the communities that we operate around the world. As a founding member of the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, and Buy Social Europe, Zurich is proud to sponsor the International Impact Award in recognition of the important role that social enterprises play in generating positive social impact here in the UK and beyond. zurich.co.uk | @ZurichInsUK

NHS messages prompting gym-goers to look out for potential signs of cancer will appear in the changing rooms of hundreds of Better leisure centres this summer. Stickers reminding people to check themselves regularly are set to feature on mirrors in more than 240 leisure centres run by Better, the UK's largest leisure charitable social enterprise. The eye-catching stickers will feature the message ‘Check you out’ and ‘Know what’s normal for you’ before reminding people that if something in their body doesn’t feel right, to contact their GP practice. The scheme is the latest push by the NHS to find cancers at an earlier stage, with Better joining several other partners, such as supermarkets and washroom hygiene specialists, to highlight cancer messages to the public in relevant everyday situations. The new initiative comes as a survey of more than 2,000 people by Better found that only 55% of respondents check their bodies for physical changes regularly (at least once a month), and one in ten (12%) don’t check at all. Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: “Finding cancer early is key to successful treatment and survival, and this means that we need people who have new symptoms to come forward as soon as they spot them. This is why it’s vital that people are aware of their bodies, take notice of any change from what is normal for them, and get it checked out immediately. “The partnership with Better helps us to reach more people and remind them to check themselves at a time and a place that works for them. It’s a simple thing that anyone can do, but it really can save your life.” Joe Rham, Customer and Communities Director for GLL, the not-for-profit charitable social enterprise that runs Better leisure centres, said: “Our aim is to improve health and wellbeing in local communities and we’re delighted to be partnering with NHS England in this vital campaign. “The survey we conducted clearly indicates a need to raise awareness of potential signs of cancer and the mirror stickers will hopefully act as a timely reminder to our customers to check themselves regularly.” NHS staff are working hard to see and treat more people with cancer than ever before, with over 50,000 patients starting cancer treatment in June – more than nine in ten within one month – and over a quarter of a million people referred for urgent cancer checks. The NHS also met the 28-day faster diagnosis standard for the second month in a row in June with more than three quarters of patients (76.3%) – almost 200,000 people – receiving the all-clear or a definitive diagnosis within four weeks.   Lending her support to the scheme, Demi Jones, ex-Love Island reality TV stars, said: “I was just 22 years old when I received my thyroid cancer diagnosis after I found a lump on my neck. I contacted my GP practice straight away to get it checked out and I was quickly referred for further testing that led to treatment by the incredible NHS team in Portsmouth. I’m now living life cancer free and would urge anyone who notices an unusual change not to delay and speak to their GP as they are there to help. It really could save their life, as it did mine.” The survey by Better also found that 59% of respondents are aware of the symptoms of breast cancer – the highest awareness across the UK’s most common cancers. That is followed by skin (50%) and bowel (47%). Worryingly, one in five (20%) said they are not aware of any potential cancer signs - particularly among the younger age groups. 33% of those aged 18-34 said they were not aware of any symptoms, compared to 16% of those aged 35 or over. Of those surveyed, 68% of females and 56% of males said they would recognise a lump or swelling in a part of their body as a possible early sign of cancer and would seek medical advice. Rhiannon Morgan, 34-year old regional health manager for Better in London and Surrey, was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump during a hiking holiday in Canada in 2019. She said: “When I found the lump, I was alarmed but I had no other symptoms and felt perfectly well so I wondered if it was just where my rucksack had rubbed against the skin.”  “Eight weeks later, test results showed that the lump was cancerous, so I needed chemotherapy and underwent a mastectomy during lockdown. Now I’m living cancer free and I would advise other people to know what’s normal for your own body and get yourself checked if something doesn’t seem right.” David Bateson, 49 from Ampthill, Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with melanoma after going to his GP about a bleeding spot on his scalp. He’d noticed the spot wasn’t healing and his wife, a nurse, encouraged him to get it checked. After being referred to a specialist for a biopsy, David was told it was cancerous and within months had surgery to remove it. Despite the cancer returning the following year, immunotherapy has meant that he is now cancer free. David said: “I am living proof that early diagnosis is so important. Although I never dreamt that this spot on my head would end up being skin cancer, it turned out to be one of the most aggressive types. I dread to think what would have happened if I’d not gone to my doctor when I did. “I think these stickers are a great idea. I play football at my local leisure centre, and – when you’re in the changing room or showering – it’s the perfect place to think about changes in your body, so it’s the ideal setting to remind people to be aware.” About Better Better is the consumer facing brand for GLL.  Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services.  Operating under the Better brand, it manages 250 public sport and leisure centres, 113 libraries and 10 children’s centres in partnership with 50 local councils, public agencies and sporting organisations. www.better.org.uk

Your Voice Counts (YVC) is a charity based in Tyne & Wear dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities, those facing mental health challenges, people with dementia, and individuals assessed as lacking the capacity to make their own decisions. Through its advocacy and support services, YVC plays a crucial role in enhancing the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Government Contracts and Impact During and after completing the DCMS funded Contract Readiness programme run by The School for Social Entrepreneurs in partnership with Social Enterprise UK and Voice 4 Change England, a course aimed at enhancing contract readiness for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, YVC applied for three government contracts. Despite not winning two of these contracts, the organisation was notably close, finishing as the second-highest bidder for one. Success came with the third and most recent tender, which was pivotal for YVC. This contract allowed YVC to retain its Newcastle Advocacy service, ensuring continued support for those in need. This win not only secured the organisation’s operations but also strengthened its capacity to serve the community effectively. Challenges in the Contracting Process The journey through the contracting process was fraught with challenges. YVC faced significant strain due to multiple contracts landing simultaneously, stretching their limited capacity. Staff worked extra hours, including evenings and weekends, to manage the workload. Bidding for contracts in a new Local Authority area, where YVC lacked established relationships and a local track record, further complicated the process. The absence of local references and connections made it challenging to strengthen their bid and compete effectively. The Contract Readiness "Wins" Programme The Contract Readiness "Wins" Programme proved to be transformative for YVC. It enabled the identification of effective contract win strategies, which informed the organisation’s new funding strategy and growth plan. The programme deepened YVC’s understanding of social value in the tendering process and equipped the team with essential skills. One of the practical outcomes was the development of a Bid Library. “I was able to increase my understanding of social value in the tendering process and the programme equipped me with skills that I am now putting into practice to help prepare for future tenders” says Alex. Overcoming Challenges Through the Programme The programme provided a platform for YVC to learn from other organisations and social entrepreneurs about their challenges and successes. “Learning from the programme helped me to apply a much more critical approach to our tender content – in particular, ensuring that we consistently articulate the added value that our organisation brings above and beyond contract specifications.” Peer learning was instrumental in applying a more critical approach to their tender content. These insights have been pivotal in refining their bids and increasing their competitiveness in the tendering process. Organisational Growth and Achievements Since starting the programme, YVC has experienced significant growth and success. “Our key successes since starting the programme have been securing a 5-year grant worth £400,000, providing financial stability and enabling long-term planning. We have won a £337,000 per year contract for three years with the Newcastle Local Authority, ensuring sustained support for their advocacy services and we have entered into partnerships with two other organisations to deliver a new Local Authority contract, expanding their reach and impact.” Conclusion The Contract Readiness Wins Programme has been a cornerstone in YVC’s recent achievements. It has not only helped the organisation secure vital contracts and funding but also equipped them with the knowledge and strategies needed for sustainable growth. Through perseverance and strategic development, Your Voice Counts continues to make a profound difference in the lives of those it serves. yvc.org.uk