Here at The Sovini Group our customers, colleagues and communities are at the heart of everything we do.
Our social purpose is to create opportunities and change lives which is achieved daily; from the provision of meaningful employment pathways to providing high-quality affordable homes.
Our 2022 report evidences our journey and aspirations as we measure our contribution to society, the economy and the environment.
By analysing social value, we can critically assess our progress in achieving our vision and mission, in addition to our strategic plan.
A strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) proposition enables our award-winning Group to approach initiatives strategically and proactively, such as netzero carbon and fuel poverty, the social housing white paper and healthier homes.
As part of our commitment, we work alongside our colleagues, customers and communities to make a notable impact, as well as encouraging our supply chain and wider stakeholders to share best practice.
I look forward to providing further updates on our progress as we continue to strive for a better future.
We are proud to have been presented with the Responsible Business (Social Governance) Award by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce at the 2022 Innovation in Business Awards, recognising the positive impact of our organisation within the community.
We provide high quality construction, property and facilities services to the public, not-for-profit and private sectors, with a unique end-to-end supply chain.
Our growing commercial activities complement and support our social and notfor-profit businesses, with profits reinvested to build new homes, improve service delivery and support the communities who remain centric to everything we do.
At present, we own and manage in excess of 14,000 homes, rising annually through an active development programme.
The Sovini Group is a key contributor to the social and economic development and future growth of the North West.
We strongly believe through analysing and measuring performance against our targets and national benchmarking, that we can remain focused on achieving the Group’s vision and mission through a strategic approach to ESG.
Sustainable housing and the wellbeing of our customers and the communities they live in are directly linked. As a registered provider of social housing with over 14,000 homes, our impact is exponential, from how we build and maintain our homes, to how we support customers and colleagues in adopting an environmentally conscious approach to life.
In 2022, here is how we’ve been supporting our customers, colleagues and communities:
We’re taking decisive action to tackle our carbon footprint, with our goal being to achieve net-zero status.
Our collaborative Group approach is designed to improve the wellbeing of our customers, colleagues and communities. To accelerate action, we’ve invested resources and funds, and will continue to do so, to deliver our net-zero carbon commitment.
Our support outlined…
• Customers: One Vision Housing and Pine Court Housing Association customers receive regular updates on the progress of our commitment and support on how to go ‘green’ through informative and educational communications.
Furthermore, hundreds of our customers have enrolled onto trials to test the latest home heating systems. Our valued customers can also steer the net-zero agenda through our Customer Voice initiative.
• Suppliers: We actively procure services from organisations who are committed to reducing their environmental impact and encourage suppliers to join our net-zero carbon commitment
• Colleagues: Our colleagues are already adopting a proactive approach to cutting carbon emissions and fully support our net-zero carbon commitment. Our dedicated employee app OurSpace provides colleagues with a whole host of advice, guidance and best practice in achieving an environmentally friendly approach to life, both in and out of the workplace
One Vision Housing’s Morris Meadows development in Merseyside will bring 149 new homes to the area, thanks to a grant of over £5.8m from Homes England.
58 apartments will be available through Affordable Rent, with 91 houses helping residents onto the property ladder through Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership schemes.
The Group’s award-winning builders’ merchants, Sovini Trade Supplies sourced the structurally PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) graded timber and contracted timber frame specialists to erect locally.
This approach to building new homes significantly reduces the Group’s carbon footprint through unique manufacturing; reducing energy consumption throughout its lifetime and locking-away atmospheric CO2 for generations.
Delivered in partnership with Sovini Construction, One Vision Housing aim to build 1,000 new homes over the next five years as part of the Group’s development framework and vision for a better future.
During 2021/22, 95% of customers said they were satisfied with home improvement works.
A major project during this time involved the £4.8 million refurbishment of Oxford House, a 16-storey high rise residential block comprising over 90 apartments.
Thanks to over £600k funding from the European Regional Development Fund, the project aimed to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across the apartment block, and included:
• A new insulated roof
• External wall insulation
• Replacement windows and entrance doors
• New electric heating and ventilation systems
The safety of our homes has been improved immensely thanks to the recent refurbishment project.
– Bernard, One Vision Housing customer
Throughout 2022, colleagues and customers from across the Group are being supported through the cost-of-living crisis.
Top tips, best practice and latest news articles have been shared to help colleagues and their families make energy savings and access initiatives to support their health and wellbeing.
The Group’s employee app has been instrumental in communicating these messages during this unprecedented period. Furthermore, signposting to national and local services have been regularly communicated to provide further support.
The Group’s established Procurement Team are increasingly working with contracted suppliers and sub-contractors to encourage sustainable practices, providing added value and supporting the Group’s net-zero carbon contributions.
For example, the Group’s PPE and employee uniform supplier continues to invest in;
• An electric fleet
• Compostable packaging
• The recycling of old workwear
To align with our Group’s Social and Added Value policy and through a competitive tendering process, we ensure we procure products and services from suppliers who support our net-zero carbon commitment. Some examples include;
Asbestos Supplier (AEC);
• 10% of fleet moving to Hybrid/Electric Architect Services (BTP Architects);
• Delivering employee training workshops every year on building and fire safety, use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology in high rise buildings and achieving netzero carbon in retrofit projects
• Free customer training on addressing fuel poverty
The Group strives to create thriving and inclusive communities that are safe and sustainable. Our innovative approach to social involvement helps improve health and wellbeing across the local community, in addition, to providing an economic boost.
Through our social involvement within our communities, we can support our vision to create a better future.
In 2022, here is how we’ve been supporting our customers, colleagues and communities:
The Group has a Community Development Fund available for voluntary and community groups who want to deliver projects or services that benefit customers in our communities.
The fund seeks to encourage community projects that contribute to the following themes.
• Vulnerable persons
• Health and wellbeing
• Support for local veterans
• Improved community safety
• Community environmental initiatives
In 2021/22 The Sovini Group generated £23.6 million in social value (£43.7 million generated in uncertified social value).*
Pine Court Housing Association joined forces with fellow BAME (Black Asian Minority Ethnic) housing association Steve Biko, to empower customers into employment through their collaborative New Horizons programme.
The duo launched the first of its kind scheme in the Liverpool City Region with free five week sessions to support customers in:
• Boosting their skills and confidence
• CV building
• Gaining voluntary and paid work placements
• One-to-one employment advice
*Social value is a way of measuring the additional benefit to the wider community, over and above the service or goods delivered. We use the Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT) social value toolkit to independently certify the impact our services and activities have on the local community.
We recognise the valuable contribution of customers in shaping our services, and One Vision Housing invited involved customers onboard the iconic Floating Grace to enjoy a two-hour afternoon tea cruise.
Customers from our retirement housing schemes were recognised for their continued efforts to create thriving and inclusive communities.
The successful event generated £59,928 in social value, which resulted in a return of £67.83 for every £1 spent
Our colleagues remain our biggest asset, therefore the health and wellbeing of each employee is important to us.
Colleagues have the unique opportunity to participate in a wide variety of initiatives and programmes; from fitness classes and health checks to mindfulness and meditation programmes.
The Group also continued its Health and Wellbeing Ambassador programme, with colleagues from across each business area helping to shape the Group’s employee offer.
In 2022, the Ambassadors helped develop the employee health and wellbeing programme, placing specific focus on financial inclusion. Through this, financial wellbeing workshops were implemented for all, top tips shared and support groups formed.
The Group’s successful Pathway into Construction initiative, aims to encourage female students to consider a career in the construction industry. Delivered in collaboration with Elevate Education Business Partnership, a large cohort of students from across the region enrolled on the week-long programme, which saw them gain valuable work experience in the industry alongside Group partners, Sovini Trade Supplies, Sovini Property Services, Sovini Construction and Teal Scaffold. The pathway culminated in an interview skills and CV writing workshop with the Group’s People & Learning Team to support them in securing future employment.
In 2022, we were once again delighted to receive the Disability Confident Award which recognises our commitment to taking action to improve how we recruit, retain, and develop disabled people in the workplace.
To support customers of One Vision Housing and Pine Court Housing Association, we launched the Cost-ofLiving Campaign in October 2022.
The campaign supports the Group’s strategic objectives around rent collection and net-zero carbon, by signposting to both local and national support services, and providing tips around reducing energy usage to customers.
Messages including “We’re here to help” and “Don’t suffer in silence” (translated for Pine Court Housing Association’s BAME customers) are communicated across the Group’s growing communication platforms.
Customers have so far received information through the website, personalised emails, SMS messaging and postcards, providing much needed support through these unprecedented times.
Families, individuals, and older people across the Liverpool City Region received food, care and toy packages in time for Christmas, thanks to funding from The Sovini Group.
Nine community organisations received pallets to provide support to almost 2,000 beneficiaries across the region.
In addition, Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre received a £1500 grant from Group partner One Vision Housing’s Community Development Fund to support their Food Pantry, which is providing the local community with access to food and care products.
Great Place to Work©, the global authority on workplace culture, ranked The Sovini Group as the number one UK workplace in Europe
We were amongst over 3,000 organisations recognised, representing over 1.4 million employees across Europe and throughout 37 participating countries.
The Group has been recognised for its unique approach to inspiring and supporting colleagues through economical challenging times, via innovative leadership, health and wellbeing initiatives, and an established reward and recognition programme.
The Group truly believes our employees are our greatest asset and we value the health and wellbeing of our people.
The Mindful Employer charter demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to better mental health at work, we were delighted to sign the charter once again.
In October 2022, the Group was awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Platinum accreditation for the second time, securing our status for the next three years.
Platinum is the highest level of IIP accreditation and achieved by only 5% of over 50,000 companies who are assessed. Investors in People also recognised the commitment to our colleague’s health and wellbeing, awarding us the prestigious Gold award for wellbeing.
The assessors were extremely impressed with The Sovini Group, commenting that “there is very strong alignment to the Group’s mission with employees across the business” and that “the consistent feedback from employees throughout the assessment described authentic, inspirational leadership.”
The Group is fully committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We promote a positive culture of valuing and celebrating diversity, and accepting and including people regardless of their personal characteristics or circumstances. Whoever you are, you can expect to be treated fairly, with respect and free from discrimination. Our work environment is welcoming, friendly and a place for all our colleagues to thrive in.
Here is an overview of how we maintain our inclusive culture:
• We have developed policies and practices that support diverse groups of people working together
• We have an established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group and Forum
• We have signed up to the Navajo LGBTQI+ Charter Mark
• Showing our support for national campaigns, including Women in Construction Week, Black History Month and Pride Month
• Our Empower campaign raises awareness and provides support on female related topics, including menopause awareness
• We deliver bespoke diversity training courses to increase awareness
• Colleagues across the organisation are encouraged to display their chosen pronouns on emails and in our employee app
Support group, Sahir House, were invited onboard the Pride of Sefton to help improve service users’ health and wellbeing ahead of Liverpool’s Pride celebrations.
Sahir House is dedicated to improving sexual health education and HIV awareness, and the charitable organisation have offered support, prevention, information, and training across Merseyside for over 35 years.
Thanks to a grant from One Vision Housing’s Community Development Fund, the HIV support group took two, threehour excursions on the wide beam canal boat to travel through docks located within Liverpool’s former UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.
Kathleen Charters, Wellbeing Practitioner at Sahir House, said:
Pine Court Housing Association was established in 1986 as a registered social landlord, with a mission to provide quality homes and inclusive housing services for those in need.
Supporting the Group’s mission to create opportunities and change lives, Pine Court is committed to positively promoting cultural tolerance and cohesion across its diverse communities, which are made up of 51% Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) customers.
With the oldest Chinese community in Europe, Liverpool has a long tradition of celebrating Lunar New Year with spectacular performances, bringing an explosion of culture to the city.
To celebrate the Year of the Tiger, Pine Court partnered with Liverpool Chinese Business Association, Hung Gar Kung Fu School, and Culture Liverpool to bring the community together. Our donation of £4.9k supported the event and attracted over 25,000 people to the city, whilst colleagues from across the Group took part in the famous dragon dance.
A big thank you for making this happen, our service users had so much fun. As tourists waved and children raced the canal boat, I saw something beautiful across the faces of those on the boat who are often so socially anxious. That I have filed in my happy drawer.
The Group has a long-standing commitment to the Armed Forces community. We continually work in close partnership with local organisations such as the Army Reserve unit 156 Regiment RLC, local veteran charities and Brunswick Youth and Community Centre.
The Group’s work with Liverpool Veterans HQ and Veterans in Sefton has led to over a hundred local veterans being rehomed and, in many cases, saved from homelessness
As part of the rehoming process, the veterans are offered goods to help them furnish their new home and there is ongoing tenancy support for vulnerable veterans.
We also proudly offer a volunteer placement programme, which supports veterans with their transition from the Armed Forces into employment within civilian life. Some of those who took part in the programme have secured employment within the Group.
As a result of our ongoing commitment and support of the Armed Forces community, we are the proud recipients of the Covenant Gold Award which shows our commitment to supporting those who make huge sacrifices on our behalf, ensuring they receive the recognition and support they deserve.
The pandemic was the catalyst for a move to agile working for the Group and it is important that we maintained our unique workplace culture.
The Group’s Business Transformation Team have worked tirelessly alongside the rest of the organisation to ensure the successful transition of the culture to a fully agile operating environment.
In late 2021, the Group was presented with the award for Best Flexible Working Initiative by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), after being shortlisted alongside national and global organisations including Blood Cancer UK and Standard Chartered Bank. The judges said that The Sovini Group’s initiative made sure its “sense of community and family culture [was] maintained and even enhanced through the pandemic,” adding that it was “very authentic”.
Furthermore, the Group has been instrumental in sharing best practice through CIPD workshops, conferences and training on how we successfully adopt an innovative approach to business transformation through the implementation of technology and agile working.
A report revealed that salaries of female members of the Group compare favourably with their male colleagues.
The 2021/22 analysis revealed an increase to -7.6% mean gender pay gap in favour of women. This is in comparison to the UK average of 7.9% in favour of men.
The Group’s mission in creating opportunities and changing lives is supported through the businesses investment in establishing and retaining an equal, diverse and inclusive workplace for all to thrive in.
Governance is the internal system of practices, controls and procedures the Group have adopted in order to measure our ESG impact. It supports us in making effective decisions, complying with the law, and meeting the needs of external stakeholders.
Effective governance is exceptionally important in underpinning the work that we do. It enables us to manage risk effectively and take informed decisions based on evidence. We have been working hard to embed a culture of good governance by practicing environmental and social accountability and transparency at all levels of our organisation.
Our organisational structure allows leadership to instil a culture which uses core values of social responsibility when making business decisions to enable us to grow responsibly and sustainably.
We ensure our stakeholders receive clear, accessible, accurate and timely information on issues that matter to them.
We ensure our stakeholders scrutinise and hold us to account for decisions which affect them.
We empower our stakeholders to share their views to help us shape our Group and make informed decisions.
Through an established Customer Voice Group, we proactively engage with our customers and encourage them to help shape, influence and improve the award-winning services we deliver.
Members of the group have different levels of involvement, from neighbourhood walkabouts, an Independent Complaints Panel, through to Board membership.
As proud adopters of the Together with Tenants Charter, we are committed to creating opportunities and changing lives as we foster strong relationships with our communities.
Here is how our customers can participate in our Customer Voice initiative:
This involves the least amount of time but still provides us with lots of useful information:
• Attendance Meetings and events
• Walkabouts
• Hot Topic Group
• Customer feedback and surveys
This involves a moderate amount of time and provides a medium level of influence.
• Residents’ Group
• Tenant Policy Review Group
•
This level of involvement means you will be dedicating several hours of your time each month; with the highest level of influence including:
• Board membership
• Scrutiny Team
• Tenant Inspectors
• Service Review Group
• Brand Group