2023/24
01 INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Beyond providing quality, affordable homes, we’re dedicated to positively impacting the communities we serve. As one of the Liverpool City Region’s top Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic housing associations, social value is at the heart of our vision in creating a better future. We strive to deliver initiatives that enhance the health and wellbeing of our customers and communities.
In compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Value for Money Standard, we evaluate the social value created by our services using the HACT (Housing Associations Charitable Trust) UK Social Value Bank. This tool helps us quantify the positive impacts our services have on individuals and the wider community.
Our commitment to delivering social value is aligned with our strategic goals. We are dedicated to creating sustainable communities, promoting social inclusion, and improving the lives of our customers. By measuring and demonstrating our social impact, we can ensure that we’re making a meaningful difference.
We collaborate with The Sovini Group, suppliers, and other likeminded organisations to allocate funding and resources to projects that benefit our communities and generate positive outcomes.
David Brown Director of Operations
02 KEY IMPACT SUMMARY
Our commitment to social value supports our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives. By maximising value for money for our clients and customers, we create a lasting positive impact on our communities.
Overall social value contribution: £6.7m
Social Return on Investment (SROI): £9.12 for every £1 spent
• Actual social value of £324k in 2023 – 2024*. Based on a total delivery cost of £33k, providing a SROI of £9.12 for every £1 spent.
• Indicative social value £6.4m in 2023 – 2024**. Based on a total delivery cost of £2k, providing a SROI of £3,304 for every £1 spent.
* in-line with the UKSVB evidence requirements.
** in line with alternative data
03 SOCIAL VALUE CONTRIBUTIONS AT A GLANCE
Here is a summary of our key contributions to social value over the past year:
• 8 social value projects supported to benefit customers and communities
• 27 customers supported to sustain their tenancy by achieving a clear rent account
• 32 colleagues received training (PCHA and Sovini Group Subsidiaries)*
• 6 involved customers participated in the Customer Empowerment Panel
• Provided decoration packs to 6 customers to support them in making their house a home
• 38 customers actively involved in the Chung Hok House Residents Association
• 2 apprenticeships created through The Sovini Group partners, supported by works from Pine Court Housing Association
*Colleagues of Pine Court Housing Association and The Sovini Group partners
• Our how-to videos supported 33 customers to complete simple home repairs and DIY projects
• 14 adaptations were made to properties, improving the quality of life for our customers and supporting them to remain in their own homes.
• We donated £10,000 to support local projects through our Community Development Fund
04 FINANCIAL WELLBEING AND TENANCY SUPPORT
To support our customers during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we launched a campaign focused on providing valuable resources and guidance to navigate financial challenges and reduce energy consumption.
We curated a comprehensive list of local and national organisations offering financial assistance, debt advice, and other relevant support services. The campaign also shared tips and advice for customers to lower their bills and reduce energy consumption, supporting our net zero carbon commitment.
By providing these resources and support, we aim to empower customers to take control of their financial situation, reduce their energy costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
During 2023/24, we supported 27 customers to maintain their tenancies by clearing rent arrears, accessing benefits, and providing the necessary assistance to avoid financial hardship.
TENANCY SUPPORT
As one of the Liverpool City Region’s leading Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic housing providers, we are committed to driving positive change while promoting culturally inclusive services for all our customers.
We recognise that there are times when customers may prefer to speak to our colleagues face to face.
To facilitate this, we have introduced Come and Chat drop-in sessions at community centres in Liverpool and Wirral. These sessions provide an opportunity for customers to connect with our bilingual colleagues and discuss any tenancyrelated queries they may have. From translating important documentation to reporting repairs and addressing anti-social behaviour, we are on hand to provide support and assistance.
This initiative has brought our services directly to our communities, making it easier for customers to get the help they need.
05 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Our commitment to creating thriving and inclusive communities remains a priority. We actively engage in initiatives aimed at improving the lives of customers and their communities. From cultural celebrations to essential support services, these projects have made a significant social and economic impact, generating £6.4 million in Social Value within these communities. We spotlight some of the key community projects and events that we have proudly supported below.
CHUNG HOK HOUSE: CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Our Retirement Housing Scheme, Chung Hok House, was originally established to support Chinese seamen who faced challenges in securing housing. Today, 38 customers are actively involved in the Chung Hok House Residents Association, which plays an important role in supporting cultural diversity and community engagement.
The Residents Association hosts an annual Christmas lunch, offering customers an opportunity to come together, share their experiences, and immerse themselves in the local culture, fostering a sense of belonging within the community.”
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
In partnership with The Florrie and The Joseph Lappin Centre, we donated pallets of food and living essentials to local families.
Donations were used to deliver hot food, food hampers and hygiene supplies to 525 people across the L8 community.
Anne Lundon, Chief Executive Officer of The Florrie, said: “We would like to once again thank Pine Court Housing Association for their generous donation to The Florrie and helping us to deliver hot meals and food hampers to Liverpool residents this Christmas.”
HONOURING CHINESE HERITAGE
Through the Community Development Fund, we proudly supported Lunar New Year celebrations across the Liverpool City Region.
In partnership with the Liverpool Chinese Business Association, we supported Culture Liverpool’s Chinese New Year celebration which brings an explosion of colour to Liverpool annually, welcoming more than 20,000 people to the city.
We also supported Wirral Chinese Cultural Association’s celebration events including Chinese New Year and New Moon Festival.
OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDE:
• Annual Christmas Carol Concert hosted at Chung Hok House, with customers enjoying festive music, fostering a sense of community spirit.
• Mid-Autumn Festival celebration: 38 guests attended the celebrations at Chung Hok House.
• Love to Move exercise programme: We donated £2k to the Chung Hok House Residents Association to support the delivery of an exercise programme for residents, promoting physical health and social interaction.
06 SUPPORTING OUR COLLEAGUES
To support our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives, in collaboration with partners of The Sovini Group, we created two apprenticeships, providing meaningful employment opportunities for local people.
In a bid to attract new talent, in 2024 we hosted an Apprenticeship Showcase event, providing young people from the Liverpool City Region with an opportunity to find out more about a career with us. The event, attended by over 130 young people, was hosted in collaboration with Elevate EBP. Representatives from across The Sovini Group worked collaboratively to showcase careers opportunities, offering young talent hands-on experiences to understand the diversity of roles available in the housing and construction industries.
Furthermore, a total of 751 colleagues have completed 15,522 e-learning courses, helping to improve the customer experience.
07 SUSTAINABILITY
We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and we continue to contribute to the 2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring our activities contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
Through responsible, community driven actions, we are contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Our initiatives impact a number of these goals, including SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, and 17 among others. Some key examples include:
• No Poverty (SDG 1): Our Cost-of-Living Support campaign equips customers with essential knowledge and support to maintain financial wellbeing and enhance their quality of life.
• Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3): We actively promote both physical and mental health awareness, supporting our residents through a variety of initiatives aimed at improving their overall wellbeing.
• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11): We foster a culture that values diversity and embraces people from all backgrounds, promoting inclusivity across our communities made up of 58% Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic customers.
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): Our strategic partnership with Merseyside Police is focused on enhancing community safety practices across the Liverpool City Region. Together, we prioritise the needs of our diverse communities, ensuring they remain safe, supported, and inclusive.
WHAT’S NEXT
Looking ahead, we will continue to embed social value into all of our activities to produce meaningful, positive outcomes, fulfilling our mission of creating opportunities and changing lives. We will also maintain our commitment to using the HACT framework to measure and report on social value, whilst working collaboratively with partners to achieve our ambitious goals.
PROMOTING CULTURAL COHESION
Director of Operations, David Brown, was recently appointed as a trustee for Mandela8. With over 35 years’ experience in the housing sector, David has held several non-executive director roles in black-led organisations and community projects. His work has been instrumental in promoting cultural tolerance and cohesion across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
David Brown said:
“Coming from a family of activists, I eagerly took the opportunity to become a trustee. My role as a trustee will help Mandela8 maintain Nelson Mandela’s outstanding achievements across our communities and will support Pine Court’s commitment to cultural tolerance and cohesion by addressing inequality and championing change.”
Through his involvement in initiatives such as the Toxteth Tigers Community Mentoring Programme and his leadership at Pine Court Housing Association, Mandela House, and the LCR Equalities in Social Housing Group, David continues to champion the delivery of inclusion and equality in social housing services, ensuring a brighter future for minority ethnic communities.
08 SOCIAL VALUE STATEMENT
We believe that every pound spent on our services should have a positive ripple effect on our communities. Pine Court Housing Association follows the Public Services Social Value Act 2013 framework to guide our efforts. We’re dedicated to making a tangible difference in our communities and on the environment.
We continue to contribute to all of the UK Government’s ‘The Social Model’ policy themes which include;
THEME 1 COVID 19 RECOVERY
THEME 2 TACKLING ECONOMIC IN-EQUALIT Y
Help local communities to manage and recover from the impact of Covid-19
Create new business, new jobs and new skills
Increase supply chain resilience and capacity
THEME 3 FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE E ective stewardship of the enviroment
THEME 4 EQUAL OPPORTUNIT Y
Reduce the disability employment gap
Tackle workforce inequality
THEME 5 WELLBEING
Improve health and wellbeing
Improve communit y integration
