Championing Social Value in Facilities Management

More companies are starting to consider their social value impact and are sourcing facility management companies that can demonstrate the way that they engage with local communities.

According to Social Value Portal’s most recent insight report, facilities management has been one industry to really drive social value forward, delivering an average of £3.5 million per project. Artic’s commitment to delivering a positive social, economic and environmental impact through local communities is showcased through a social value policy. By using a multitude of different strategies that are in place, Artic can evidence and record its positive impact in its local communities.

What is Social Value?

The consideration of social value by businesses was born from the Social Value Act 2012 which was implemented January 2013. The Act requires businesses in the public sector to consider the social value impact of partnerships within any procurement process. The government has set a legal obligation for the public sector to consider where it is spending its money; making sure that their partnerships with other services will lead to maximum positive impact on their local community.

The Introduction of the Procurement Policy Note PPN 6/20 in January 2021 stated that any government-funded contract is legally required to meet a minimum, mandatory weighting of 10% for social value. As a part of the procurement process, companies that are tendering for these contracts must be able to demonstrate how they are able to contribute to the sector’s social value weighting and what they can offer as a business that is of benefit to the community.

Overall, the goal is for businesses to showcase the positive impact they will generate, and have previously generated, to local areas that is relevant to social, economic and environmental spheres.

What Artic is Doing for Social Value?

Social value is important to Artic as it embodies company values and ethos to support all future growth and development of those that are a part of Artic. As a facility management company that is in partnership with several publicly funded sites, it is also Artic’s responsibility to feed positive contributions back into the areas that it benefits from working in. Part of Artic’s mission has always been to improve equality and wellbeing, as well as reduce environmental degradation and that means focusing in on the wider scope and macro stakeholders.

As a part of its social value strategy, Artic assigned social value champions across the business to make sure no contribution goes unnoticed. Although social value recording is just beginning to gain traction across the industry, Artic has been positively contributing to its local communities since the beginning:

 

• Learning with Artic: Artic is proud to have been delivering worthwhile apprenticeships that offer future opportunities for development and growth for over twenty-five years. The apprenticeship programmes are conducted with City & Guilds which offers a variety of apprenticeships that develop skills in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and plumbing. Artic have had several success stories from its apprenticeship programmes, some developing into Project and Contract managers, others continuing to thrive as engineers.

 

• Inspiring Future Engineers: It’s part of Artic’s mission to inspire the engineers of tomorrow through its STEM outreach and school events. Through sponsorship of the Royal Air Force (RAF) F2 sidecar racing team, Artic often works in partnership with the RAF Careers in STEM team at events to co-promote careers within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. Artic are proud to facilitate opportunities of development in STEM for the community and have provided numerous apprenticeships for those who registered their interest at the STEM events.

 

• Energy Efficiency through Solar: In line with company initiatives increase sustainability and energy efficiency, Artic have recently completed Phase 2 of its head office solar panel installation project. Dartford Borough Council revealed that Dartford has the second highest average daily level of air pollution through its Air Quality Management report. Adding Solar Panels significantly reduces Artic’s environmental impact within Dartford, saving 15,769 kg of CO2 emissions. Artic implements similar energy saving strategies within contracts to cut energy costs and future-proof sites for clients.

 

• Sponsorships: As part of giving back to local communities, Artic has sponsored several football teams including Matters of Men Charity Team and Greenwich FC. These teams foster a safe community for the locals and help them to develop important skills that will be beneficial to them in future years. The Artic Stadium is not only a place for the talented Cray Valley team to play, but also a safe space for the community to come together and support their local team.

 

• Community Projects: Outside of its inner sphere, Artic has always reached out to clients to see if there are any opportunities to assist in community projects during the length of its contracts. The client’s community is Artic’s community and in support of this, Artic has donated engineer time to uplift community gardens, social spaces and hospital wards.

All contributions and efforts are not only representative of Artic’s social value weighting, but also of the clients. The sites Artic works on often facilitate a place of learning for apprentices and in turn contributes to the client’s own social value as well.

These are just some of the ways that Artic has invested in both internal and external communities, fostering sustainable development and growth that will continue to be implemented into all facilities management solutions.

Choosing Artic as Your Facilities Management Partner:

In any procurement process, it is important for all businesses to consider what impact the services they hire have on their local community. The responsibility does not solely lie within the public sector, a high social value impact is a weighting all companies should strive to achieve. When looking for a facility management company to partner with, it is important to consider their social value efforts and how they will positively impact the local area of your business. Artic endeavours to make a positive difference in all domains of social value. To find out more about Artic’s facility management strategies and make a positive difference in your local community, contact Artic now.