Social value is about the good we can achieve within our communities related to environmental, economic and social wellbeing.

We have an incredible network of over 15,000 VCFSE organisations who are already tackling these issues head on, driving innovative solutions, enabling our public services and delivering compassionate support for people across Cheshire and Merseyside.

And it’s clear that the social value system, which requires our public sector to consider how it can use its purchasing power to build capabilities, strengths and assets within our communities, presents huge opportunities to go even further.

To realise this potential, over the next few months we will be convening a working group of system leaders to co-produce guidance that supports our system to maximise VCFSE social value outcomes.

Jointly sponsored by our public and VCFSE sectors, the project will provide an opportunity to build more inclusive public sector commissioning of social value, increase VCFSE capability in bidding for social value, including with the TOM System*, and better highlight pathways for collaboration between the sector and other public sector suppliers in delivery.

Whether or not you are involved through the Working Group, please do share any reflections or questions you have about this work.  And we look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.

*The Local Government Association-endorsed Social Value TOM System is the most established and trusted method for measuring and recording Social Value today. It provides an evidence-led framework with clear, consistent guidance and a fully transparent methodology.