Green light for Adra’s Social Value report
Work carried out by Adra, North Wales’ largest housing association and its partners over the last 12 months generated over £5.7 million of social value, according to a report launched at the National Eisteddfod today (Tuesday, August 8).
This is the first report of its kind produced by Adra, as a way of identifying how communities across North Wales have benefitted from all the development and maintenance work carried out, as well as services to support tenants. The social value element reflects the positive value the business created for the local economy, communities and wider society.
The £5.7 million social value figure was calculated by looking at a wider range of issues like homelessness, tackling loneliness, mental health, poverty, employment and training, creating safer communities, procurement and decarbonisation.
Some of the key headlines over the last 12 months included:
- £44 million invested in building 118 new homes across the region and £12.1 million was spent on upgrading 494 of its existing properties.
- £39 million spent with local suppliers
- 361 local people employed by Adra
- 419 people affected by ant-social behaviour or domestic abuse supported by our Neighbourhood Service Team
- 151 homes received energy efficiency works
- £724,000 invested on adapting homes
The report includes details of North Wales projects supported through Adra and its partners, including campaigns to attract more young girls and women into the housing and construction sectors and a campaign to raise the profile of the Welsh language in some of our secondary schools.
A number of case studies are also included which highlight how individuals and communities have benefitted after support was provided by Adra.
Rhys Parry, Adra’s Director of Resources, said: “We are delighted to introduce our first ever Social Value Report which showcases the vast amount of work that has gone on across the business and with our partners over the last twelve months, and the social value that work has generated.
“There is a firm commitment in our Corporate Plan to build quality homes that people can be proud of; to support our communities and people to thrive; to decarbonise our homes, to improve the customer experience and to strengthen the business.
“We want our work to have a positive impact, not only on the quality of people’s lives, but their surroundings and their futures and we strive to make sure that our business activity maximises the social value and impact of the investment made. Tenants have the right to live in communities that prosper and have access to quality jobs and opportunities through our training programmes”.
Ceri Ellis Jackson, Social Value Co-ordinator at Adra, said: “We want to create communities in which people feel safe and valued.
“We want to make sure that all our work as an organisation and contractors working for us or on our behalf provides wider social value than simply repairs and maintenance or around bricks and mortar.
“We are a significant employer in the area and we believe that we play an important part in the growth of the regional economy through employing local people who live and spend in local communities. We want to make a real difference”.
“By working together with our tenants, staff, partners, and wider communities, we are making a difference and this report really celebrates the achievements of the past year. By working collaboratively with our key stakeholders and partners, we’re having a positive impact on people’s lives every single day of the year”.