How do Connolly create social value?

Here’s a common example of a social value initiative that we think is a bit daft. An organisation releases its most junior members of staff to do volunteering hours at a local foodbank, only for them to be back there at the weekend doing their own shopping.

Wouldn’t it be better to empower those young people with the skills, qualifications and confidence to further their career and create more opportunities for themselves?

That sums up the Connolly approach to social value. We focus on giving school leavers and people from disadvantaged backgrounds a leg up the career ladder, whether that’s giving a careers talk at a local college, offering a work experience placement or apprenticeships, or making sure we keep our own supply-chain local.

We also do a lot of work to bring communities together. That might mean refurbishing a local community centre, organising events for isolated elderly residents or making sure no child goes without a present to open on Christmas day.