You may have seen our socials this week and the ‘HEADS UP’ posts from this week’s Social Value Leaders’ Summit, brilliantly curated by Social Enterprise UK. Hopefully you enjoyed dipping in to the dynamic updates and they shared a flavour of the agenda, speakers and discussions.
Yes, it’s always great to see and hear different perspectives from people who have an interest in driving the social value agenda. Unfailing in his advocacy of social enterprise is Social Enterprise UK CEO, Peter Holbrook CBE, who is always generous in his experience, knowledge and giving others the space to shine in the world of ‘social economy’. Also, he’s a great disruptor which is much needed in the sector, and across public and private sector alike… shaking up the status quo is what can bring about positive change and move us closer to a fairer society for all. Thank you Peter!
Back to the Summit…
…do we still have a mountain to climb?
It’s a valid question as the VCSE sector has been around for quite a while now. Keynote speaker, Josh Babarinde OBE MP pushed the dial on public sector procurement (a strong theme for the day), by saying, “Dipping it’s toe in the water, if it can find the water”. This related to only c.4% of public sector contracts each year (approximately 17,000) being awarded to VCSE providers.
Yes, we can do better. In the room, the 200 delegates were from mixed backgrounds of local authority, academia, private sector (particularly built environment) companies, social enterprise infrastructure organisations, large-scale social enterprises like Nuneaton Signs (fabulous to see you again Tim Landreth!), right through to smaller start up (and super curious) entrepreneurs.
Of course, we devoured the leading-light speakers and panel discussions with highlight topics including:
The Common Good Economy (Mariana Muzzucato) giving a more international perspective on social value.
Government’s Vision for Social Value (panel including Claire Dove CBE DL, Robert Vaughan from Department for Transport (DfT), Jo Jarvis of National Highways and Prof. Jo Pritchard OBE). Here we heard from panellists saying how ‘we(they) can employ a whole load of SMEs on contracts, and VCSEs are part of that supply chain, but we’re only showing first tier contractors so missing out on understanding that (accumulated) social value’. Claire Dove told us that, “Every department will have a VCSE/social value target, and these will be published.” Fabulous, we look forward to these new initiatives!
The Impact Economy and Public Procurement (panel with Patricia Hewitt, Caron Dunlop of Mott MacDonald, Gayle Monk from Anthony Collins, and Peter). Loved the commentary here that included an imperative to ‘identify the space for collaborative partnerships’ followed by ‘critically, we are starting to see people thinking about the outcomes’ so maybe the mountain summit is getting a little closer!
After a very bougie lunch, and a new favourite dessert of Coconut Rice Pudding with mango coulis and fresh raspberries (delicious, maybe try with a hint of cardamom)…. ROUNDTABLES!
Loved these conversations, very real and very open. We had three questions to consider – my group only got to Q2 as we had soooooo much to say.
Thanks to Roundtable hosts Alison Ramsey (SCAPE SG), Clare Connelly (Fusion21), Gareth Hart (Plymouth Social Enterprise Network), and the indomitable Kate Welch (Social Enterprise Acumen).
Here’s the quick capture, although some of the points seem to have been talked about for a few years at least so we do need to ramp up the social value agenda and not lose focus (in my opinion)…
- More bespoke procurement is needed.
- Move the dial on the disconnect between procurement and social value.
- More place-based and local leadership.
- Know the difference between a social enterprise and a B Corp.
- Champion the use of VCSEs in the supply chain… they know who they are!
So, overall lots of good facts, stats, research and reports to digest throughout our Summit day, all ably facilitated by the experienced Sarah Beaumont OBE.
Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, made an excellent closing keynote, and the highlight of the day…. Laughter! The anecdotes of rewilding London projects, and Justin Beaver and Sigourney Beaver, will not be forgotten!
But it’s the people in the room who truly made, and continue to make, the difference. Everyone was open to a conversation, exploring an opportunity, developing a collaboration, or simply willing to actively listen.
My closing reflection comes from a comment in the Impact Economy session, “When things get tough, it’s communities that bind us together.”
Communities matter. People matter. Kindness matters.
Moving mountains takes time, and the right equipment, but the ‘summit’ beckons those of us who have social value threaded through our mission, vision and values.
Thank you to the whole SEUK team for all the hard work behind the scenes to hone such an important sector debate in a safe and welcoming space.
Sallie Ryan
ChangeKitchen CIC | marketing and communications
