Our Social Values

At Utility SwopShop we started our Social Value journey back in November 2019. To date our values, are captured in this 10-point Social Value Commitments Plan:
  1. Local offices – we have committed to a lease in a serviced office at Whitehills Business Park, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 5GU.
  2. Local Employment – all our staff live in the Blackpool area and operate a Car Share Scheme to minimise our impact on the environment.
  3. Local Apprenticeship Scheme – our first apprentice started with us in December and we are supporting him through an NVQ Level 3 in business administration.
  4. Local Government Kick Start Support Scheme – we have created 2 opportunities through the government “Kick Start Scheme” in conjunction with the Chambers of Commerce.
  5. Annual Charity Day – our employees receive 1 day per annum paid leave to support a local charity.
  6. Blackpool Beach Clean – The Utility SwopShop Directors are members of the BLCC (Blackpool Light Craft Club) and annually support the “LoveMyBeach” event managed through the council run scheme.
  7. Green Recycling Ambassador – Utility SwopShop manage the recycling policy programme at our offices in Blackpool.
  8. Partnerships in the Community – Utility SwopShop partner with local companies for services within the supply chain within a 10-mile radius limit.
  9. Net Zero – our commitment to net zero is quantified through off-setting our scope 3 travel Carbon Emissions for all UK travel through our travel management agents.
  10. Utility SwopShop have committed to achieving the Social Value Management Certificate Level 2 by 2022. http://www.socialvalueuk.org/social-value-certificate/

Our reasons for committing to The Social Value Management Certificate are:

  • Gain a competitive advantage: We can prove to external stakeholders (including funders/ investors/ commissioners) that we are aligned to an international standard for managing social value and taking steps towards maximising the value that we create.
  • Improve our practice: We can follow a clear pathway for improving the way we measure and manage our social value with the support of peers and an international network of practitioners.
  • Maximise: We can maximise the value we are creating for all our stakeholders by implementing robust systems to measure, manage and maximise our social value.
  • Social risk management:The certificate will provide evidence to our our customers and our stakeholders that we are taking steps to manage our social value.