Social Value is a topic that is becoming more important on the business agenda year on year. Whether that be through wellbeing, upskilling, equality, inclusion, environment, or charity.

But why exactly is social value important to businesses?

Pictured: Maria Green

• It can help create a more resilient, sustainable, attractive and profitable business.
• It can help engage your staff. It has been reported that 90% of employees who work at companies that have a strong sense of purpose say that they’re more inspired, motivated and loyal.
• It can reduce employee turnover. It’s even estimated that engaging in socially valuable projects can reduce employee turnover by 50%!

We make social value a priority in our business strategy, and we do this through the employment of our resourcing and social values partner, Maria Green. As she approaches her nine-month anniversary with the company, we sat down with Maria to discuss her journey so far, and what’s to come from her work in the future.

How has your time been with Smart so far?

Since starting with Smart in January, my entire experience has been extremely rewarding.

Everything from collaborating with external companies to roll our successful programmes to integrate people back into the workplace, to working closely with different teams within our business, to exploring our business values and directly aligning them with my work.

My experience in recruitment, working in high-volume challenging environments coupled with a welfare to work background has made my transition into this role a seamless process.

What does social value mean to you?

Social value means an inclusive, diverse workforce where people are valued for the contribution they make.

Every business should ensure that everyone is afforded the same opportunities and a strong social value strategy can  help you achieve that.

It’s hugely important in any business to recognise the challenges that people may face and ensure that we can adapt our businesses and working practices to make peoples’ lives that little bit easier.

What value does your role add to the wider business? 

My role in Smart is to look specifically at our social value. This includes developing projects that keep social value at the core of our business.

Our current initiatives include:

• An ex-offender initiative in the Midlands, working alongside Inside Job.
• An ex-offender initiative in the North West, working with Seetec.
• Members of the #SRAG (Social Recruitment Advocacy Group) Driving awareness and change along with the UK’s top employers.
• National work-based training academies with Skillcert, offering sustainable employment. Having started this initiative in September 2022, we have already had 20 learners complete, achieve and sustain employment.

Day to day, my role involves exploring charity partnerships and other external organisations that can support certain demographics to overcome their barriers and achieve sustainable employment.

This will enhance our brand reputation, separate us from competitors, attract new customers, retain staff, and improve employee engagement.

What are your plans for your future in Smart?

There are so many things! I am excited to roll out numerous initiatives across the business and then watch them grow and flourish.

Having compiled and implemented a more engaging, learner focused process, we are now ready to roll this out to the wider business. With the incredible feedback we have received so far from charitable organisations and the DWP, I am extremely excited to see how it is received in other areas of the business.

Our social value strategy is something that we are investing heavily in to ensure that we are an accessible agency working in the interest of people and planet.

If you want to find out more about our work, or how our work can help your business, contact us today.