25 Jun Essex County Council to launch first Social Value Festival
The inaugural Social Value Festival will take place from Monday 19 to Thursday 22 July 2021. The Festival is aimed at businesses of any size ranging from small and medium enterprises to large organisations as well as social and community enterprises across a wide range of sectors.
Social Value is a holistic approach which looks at the wider economic, social and environmental impacts of an organisation’s activities. It is a tool for local economic growth, creating opportunities for Essex businesses and charities; jobs and skills development for Essex residents; preparing young people for employment, ensuring they are aware of opportunities; and reducing negative impacts on the environment.
Essex County Council, like many other public sector bodies, takes Social Value into account when putting contracts out to tender and awarding contracts. The Festival is the ideal opportunity to learn more about Social Value and how to successfully incorporate it into a bid. Delegates can gain an understanding of how Essex County Council evaluates Social Value using the ECC TOMs framework (Themes, Outcomes and Measures).
The Festival will be led by experienced and leading experts in the field. Keynote speakers include Professor Chris White, the author of the Social Value Act (2012), Director of the Industrial Policy and Insight Centre at the Manufacturing Technology Centre and a visiting Professor of Industrial Strategy at Loughborough University. Arnab Dutt, Head of Social Value Policy at FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) and member of UK Government SME Panel, will lead a session dedicated to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
There will also be a range of targeted sessions focusing on small businesses, employment, social care, environment and technology. ECC will launch the Social Value Catalogue, an online resource hub with guidance, tools, and examples of best practice. The Catalogue includes signposts to funding opportunities and practical support aimed at helping organisations improve their social value offer.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Corporate Affairs said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Social Value and how it contributes to the Essex economy, community and environment. Please do take a look at the full programme and find out how we can contribute to Social Value together.”
The programme runs from Monday 19 July to Thursday 22 July as follows:
Day 1 – Monday 19 July
1 – 3pm: Introduction to Social Value and ECC Social Value Priorities
Plenary session: keynote speaker Professor Chris White, the author of the Social Value Act (2012).
Breakout sessions: ‘Social Value: The opportunity for Vendors’; ‘Social Value and the Climate’; and ‘Social Value: Creating New jobs and Skills’.
Day 2 – Tuesday 20 July
10 – 11am: Introduction to the Social Value ‘NTOMs’ and ECC framework
12 – 1pm: Introduction to Social Value and the Essex TOMs for SMEs
Day 3 – Wednesday 21 July
11am – 12pm: Introduction to Social Value and the Essex TOMs for VCSEs
2 – 3pm: Social Value in health and social care
Day 4 – Thursday 22 July
11am – 12:15pm: Developing employment and skills through Social Value
2 – 3pm: Social Value in technology
All of the sessions will run online and are free of charge.
For more information or to reserve a space please visit the Social Value Festival event page at Eventbrite
