MENU

Social value

What is Social Value?

The council expects organisations who bid for big contracts to also pledge social value resources. These resources are to help improve the borough’s economic, social and environmental wellbeing. If a company wins a contract, they must provide the resources they pledged.

Some of these resources are set aside for local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. 

What resources are on offer?

The resources for VCS groups and the nominal value we give to them are: 

  • Support from staff (Value)
    • Executive Officer mentoring time (£450 for one day) This gives strategic support for business development, marketing and promotion, and financial forecasting
    • Managers mentoring time (£300 for one day). This gives support for bid writing, marketing and promotion, outreach, administration, and data collection. 
    • Junior officer time (£168 for one day)
    • This is for bid writing, marketing and promotion, outreach, administration, and data collection. 
  • IT support
    • For an update and repair service (£330 for half a day)
  • Equipment in good working order
    • Desktops (£450)
    • Laptop and mouse (£250)
    • Printers (£250)
    • Projectors (£350)
    • Whiteboards (£150)
    • Software (£150)
  • Training (Value)
    • First Aid course: Access for one VCS staff member or volunteer (£400)
    • Health and Safety course: Access for one VCS staff member or volunteer (£400) 
  • Annual subscriptions (Value) 
    • Locality: Community subscription (£300)
    • National Council for Voluntary Organisations (£118)
    • Social Value UK: Community Subscription (£150) 

We have a limited number of each resource to give out. If a request is not available when you apply, there’s a waiting list. When new contracts are awarded, the resources will be available again.

What resources can community groups apply for? 

A VCS can apply for resources up to a total value of £2,000. 

Who can access the resources? 

To be considered, groups must:

  • be a Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) not-for-profit organisation as set out on page 9 in the Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy 2020-2024
  • be providing project activities that mainly benefit Tower Hamlets residents
  • be providing activities that support the council’s priorities as set out in our Strategic Plan.
  • have a base in Tower Hamlets for activities
  • have a formal governing document such as a Constitution or Memorandum and Articles.
  • have a bank or building society account in the organisation’s name
  • have had an income of less than £100,000 in the previous financial year

We cannot accept requests from groups that are:

  • a debtor to Tower Hamlets Council
  • using Tower Hamlets Council buildings without a property agreement in place 

How can community groups access the resources? 

If you apply, you’ll be asked to confirm the group is fully eligible. If not, you can’t submit a request. 

We accept applications at any time and have no set closing date. 

Feedback and support are available if you have questions.

What happens after a community group applies? 

We aim to process applications within 4 weeks. Resources are given to eligible groups on a first come first served basis.

Resources may not be available straight away. If it is not available when you apply, there is a waiting list. When new contracts are awarded, the resources will be available again.

We tell applicants when requested resources have been allocated to a company.

The company and our contract manager will contact you to process the resource.   

What happens when you receive the resource?

  • The resource is yours to use
  • You need to email us to confirm as soon as you receive a resource. 
  • Please email again within three months to tell us how it has:
    • been used
    • benefitted local people
    • benefitted your organisation’s work
  • This lets us identify and report on outcomes. 

How do you apply?

Please apply online.

If you do not have an account, please use the 'New applicant?' link.

Who do you contact for further enquiries or support?

Please contact vcs@towerhamlets.gov.uk.