The phrase "deep social value" refers to the profound and lasting impact that an idea, action, organisation, or system has on the well-being, cohesion, and progress of society. It goes beyond surface-level benefits or short-term gains and touches on the core of what helps communities thrive over time. It goes way beyond corporate volunteering days to paint community centres as valuable as they are!
In an era where economic success often overshadows ethical impact, social value emerges as a quiet revolution. It is more than corporate social responsibility or government initiatives—it is the essence of how communities thrive, how businesses redefine purpose, and how individuals shape a more just society.
The Evolution of Social Value
Social value was once a secondary consideration, a charitable checkbox rather than a fundamental pillar of decision-making. Today, it is integral to procurement policies, business strategies, and everyday actions. Governments worldwide and important locally our council now demand measurable contributions to social impact from corporations, with environmental responsibility, fair wages, and community investment becoming non-negotiables and a high-ranking mark on commissioning papers supports this work.
Beyond Compliance—A Moral Imperative
While laws and policies push organisations to act responsibly, the true essence of social value extends beyond compliance. It is found in the decisions made when no one is watching—the ethical sourcing of materials, the conscious effort to uplift marginalised communities, the pursuit of sustainability not for financial incentives but for future generations.
Social value is not reserved for institutions and policymakers—it lives in the daily choices of individuals. Supporting ethical brands, reducing waste, engaging in activism, or simply fostering inclusivity in our personal and professional spaces are all acts that contribute to the collective good. In an interconnected world, these ripples form waves, shaping the economic and social landscapes of tomorrow.
To embed this in the DNA of what we do, we do need to go deeper than a cursory nod to social value. ‘Deep’ social value is multi-dimensional with many layers and cuts across many themes to bring lasting change to communities. Here are some of the ways it can impact when done well and meaningfully.
1. Empowerment and Equity
Promotes fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity and supports the uplift of marginalised or underserved communities.
2. Sustainability
Encourages and supports responsible use of resources leading to long-term environmental impact as well as improved economic wellbeing and social health.
3. Trust and Social Cohesion
Social value done well builds strong, trusting relationships within and between communities and encourages civic engagement and mutual support, the phrase better together springs to mind.
4. Cultural and Ethical Enrichment
Supports, preserves, and celebrates cultural identity, heritage and diversity and builds community tolerance through ethical behaviour and shared values.
5. Resilience and Adaptability
In our ever-changing society deep, social value helps communities adapt to change and build resilience and recover from adversity, it encourages innovation that supports the common good.
The Future of Social Value
As the world grapples with inequality, environmental crises, and shifting economic landscapes, social value stands as a guiding principle. The challenge now is not whether businesses, governments, and individuals will embrace it, but how deeply they will integrate it into their DNA. Will social value remain a metric, or will it evolve into a universal standard of accountability and compassion?
The Barking and Dagenham approach to social value
Several organisations including the BEC have been working on this for some months about how we move social value deeper, to have a more meaningful impact for our communities. We are building a community of givers as well as receivers and we have a dedicated linked in group in its infancy but worthwhile none the less.
We are hosting a series of events the next one is the 1st of July you can register here!
