What is Social Value?

Social Value is a broader understanding of value. It goes beyond financial outcomes by placing emphasis on the social, environmental, and economic benefits an organisation or project can bring to the communities it operates in. At its core, it asks: how do our actions affect people’s lives?

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Rather than using money as the sole indicator of value, Social Value focuses on engaging people to understand the impact of decisions on their wellbeing. For some, Social Value may come from job satisfaction, enjoying nature, or having time with family. If a quiet country lane is part of someone’s daily commute, and a development disrupts that route, the decision carries a social impact. It’s this kind of day-to-day experience that contributes to overall wellbeing.

Social Value considers the changes people experience in areas such as health, relationships, employment, education, finances, and the environment. It supports organisations in making better decisions by measuring what truly matters to people—not just profit.

To do this properly, we must avoid tick-box exercises. True Social Value requires listening to service users, employees, and the wider community. Their insights must guide our decisions, backed by robust data to reflect real impact.

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