Risks to Look Out For — Protect Your People, Your Projects, and Your Brand

As social value grows, so do the risks. One of the biggest is failing to support the frontline employees who deliver social value projects every day. They are the face of your organisation in communities, and without the right training, guidance, and safeguarding, you risk inconsistent delivery — and reputational damage.

Another growing risk is greenwashing and self admiration on social media. In a world that demands transparency, posting exaggerated claims or celebrating impact that isn’t real is not only distasteful — it undermines trust. Social value must be authentic, measurable, and grounded in lived experience, not marketing spin.

Protecting your brand means investing in your people, your partners, and your processes. Social value is no longer a side project; it’s a strategic function that requires competence, credibility, and accountability at every level.

What Organisations Should Be Doing Right Now

If you want to deliver meaningful, credible, and commercially valuable Social Value, here are the actions that matter:

• Senior leaders must actively engage with their Sustainability or Social Value leads This isn’t a back office function anymore — it’s a strategic driver of growth, culture, and reputation.

• Train all employees in Social Value and Sustainability Frontline staff, managers, new starters, apprentices — everyone needs to understand the “why” and the “how.”

• Start planning now for 2030–2035 expectations The next decade will demand stronger Culture & Wellbeing, innovation, and co production. Don’t wait to be told.

• Put Culture & Wellbeing at the heart of your strategy This is where the biggest impact — and the biggest risks — will sit.

• Recruit differently — and more diversely Social Value thrives when lived experience, community insight, and diverse perspectives shape decisions.

• Remember: we are all part of a community, inside and outside of work You and employees are not separate from the communities you serve. We are all community.

• Choose your partners wisely Social Value is the “new thing” — but not everyone can deliver what you need. Look for credibility, accreditation, and lived experience.