Be part of a strong local community

One of the biggest benefits of Social Value comes from the wider financial and nonfinancial value that your organisation can create in terms of the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

During the pandemic we saw a rise in community volunteering – people wanting to help out and help people. This proactive support could be harnessed by business to achieve a huge and positive benefit for local people and local communities, your employees, their families and friends.

Getting involved in local projects is a great way to be part of a community, building its strength and resilience; and ensure that no one from any background gets left behind.

There are numerous projects in Greater Manchester – in fact there are around 17,000 community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises with which you could work.

Suggested Actions

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• Encourage your employees and members to take part in organised volunteering via your local volunteering centre or provide Trustees for local charities and other voluntary organisations
• Respect, reach out and develop partnerships with local voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises, which work in your local community. Develop organisational partnerships with your local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector
• Get involved in the Greater Manchester Young Person’s Guarantee
• Offer professional support with Business in the Community National Business Response Network
• Support the GM Age-friendly Neighbourhoods Challenge
• Provide an opportunity for Our Pass
• Enable employees, members and volunteers to take part in volunteering to improve the local environment with Nature GM or activities which reduce social isolation
• Help Greater Manchester tackle the digital divide and ensure that everyone can benefit from the opportunities that technology can bring
• Help to tackle food poverty by getting involved with Fare Share GM, join Good Food Greater Manchester, or support your local Food Bank or Pantry
• Support local Food Pantries – find Your Local Pantry. People can join these pantries and are able to purchase healthy food by paying a small amount and receiving much more than the value. They can choose the food themselves and retain their dignity, and can learn more about other services that can provide support.
• Join the Greater Manchester Food Security Action Network (FSAN) – ending food poverty in Greater Manchester. People with personal insights into food insecurity, people from the frontline organisations, public sector offices and anyone working to find more effective solutions to the food poverty crisis.
• Support projects in the arts and culture sector – for example United We Stream and Community Arts North West
• Explore how your organisation can support people who are homeless of sleeping rough through A Bed Every Night or the Greater Manchester Homelessness Action Network
• Support Forever Manchester in its campaigns to provide cash for front line community activities.
• Join the Greater Manchester Food Security Action Network or the No Child Should Go Hungry Campaign
• Getting involved in local recycling schemes