SOCIAL VALUE Impact Report
2023/24
01 INTRODUCTION Executive Summary
Sovini Trade Supplies is a North West based builders merchant, providing bespoke managed stores and capital investment services to several key social housing clients along with a full merchant offer to support newbuild and the wider construction industry.
We offer an extensive range of products from our branches across the North West and have a team of experienced professionals to source quality materials providing value for money whilst meeting our sustainability aims. We play a key part in delivering social value to make a difference to people’s lives and the communities we and our customers operate in.
Based on the National TOMs Framework guidelines, this evaluation confirms that additional social value has been created locally through our working practices and activities. It was calculated that £9.29m of value has been delivered in 2023/24; leading to a combined Social Return on Investment (SROI) of £3.22 for every £1 invested.
“As a builders merchant, we have been able help a number of customers, charities and community groups by providing materials for their projects. Creating opportunities and changing lives for the better is always at the forefront of what we do. We continually focus on our social, economic and environmental impacts in our day-today operations and understand the role we play in providing a better future for our local communities and people who live in them.
Our commitment is measured and presented throughout our social impact report, and we are delighted to share our commitment to social value which we pledge to continue for the foreseeable future.”
- Alan Evans, Director of Operations
02 KEY IMPACT Summary
03 SOCIAL Impact
Social impact benefits have been created through local employment, training and education activities provided by Sovini Trade Supplies. These achievements have resulted in the delivery of an impact value of £2.24m.
Across our five North West locations, 76 colleagues were employed by Sovini Trade Supplies during 2023/24, with 100% considered to be local*.
Training and Education:
• One apprentice has gained 56 weeks of training.
• Two students have gained two weeks of work experience.
• 35 learning weeks have been accessed by colleagues, contributing to their personal and professional development
• Colleagues have visited local schools, providing advice and guidance on interview and CV writing skills.
Colleagues have access to a wide variety of employee benefits that impact positively on their health and wellbeing, as well as providing educational, financial and environmental support.
We proudly promote a positive culture of valuing and celebrating
diversity and accepting and including people regardless of their personal characteristics or circumstances.
Pathway into Construction
Sovini Trade Supplies are proud supporters of The Sovini Group’s innovative Pathway into Construction programme.
The initiative invites female students from across the Liverpool City Region to enrol on a week-long programme, gaining valuable work experience in the construction industry.
Working collaboratively with Group partners, Sovini Property Services, Sovini Construction and Teal Scaffold, the programme is designed to challenge stereotypes and break down the stigma for female colleagues in the industry.
The Pathway into Construction programme culminates in an interview skills and CV writing workshop with the Group’s People & Learning Team, to support students in securing future employment.
04 ECONOMIC Impact
Economic benefits have been established through the local supply chain and the local workforce providing goods and services to businesses and communities across the North West. This has resulted in achieving a calculated retained local economic value of £6.74m.
100% of all office and construction waste recycled – 2580 tonnes
20 minutes being the average commute of workforce
10 miles being the average residence from workplace
All fleet compliant with Euro 6 and one electrical van
Environmental gains being achieved through activities
05 ENVIROMENTAL Impact
Our environmental practices are shaped by The Sovini Group’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment, and we’re taking decisive action to tackle our carbon footprint, with our goal being to achieve net zero emissions.
Environmental gains have been achieved through areas such as; innovative ways of recycling construction waste, using Euro 6 standard fuel-efficient vehicles, Fleetmatics toolkits, local recruitment and use of local suppliers to create a value of £281k.
06 CHARITABLE Impact
Several charitable activities have taken place to benefit local communities, from partnership work, donating goods and materials, sponsorships, volunteering, fundraising and supporting community events and initiatives. We have proudly achieved a charitable value of £21,335.
Supporting Grassroots Football
We are proud sponsors of a number of grassroots football teams across the region, including Eight FC who compete in Croxteth’s under 9’s league.
Grassroots football aims to ensure football is inclusive to all, helping to teach positive values, promote healthy lifestyles and unite communities.
Mateusz Zawadzki, Manager and Coach at The Eight FC is thankful for the support:
“The team proudly wear the kits. They bring a sense of team spirit. As a manager and coach, I’m grateful that all players have matching kits and can focus on developing their skills during matches.”
Christmas Appeal
Christmas can be a difficult time for many, and Sovini Trade Supplies partnered with like-minded organisations to deliver selection boxes to children across the region over the festive season.
The Prima Group Christmas appeal was delivered in partnership with Housing People, Building Communities and The Prima Group alongside Holmpatrick Developments.
Lauren Johnson from the Holmpatrick Group said,
“I’m really pleased that Sovini Trade Supplies donated the selection boxes for the children in the Wigan area, this will make a huge difference this time of year – we are really grateful for the donations received.”
Could Car Less
Sovini Trade Supplies backed Sefton’s Taking Root community initiative to scoop a bronze medal at the Royal Horticultural Show, Tatton Park for their ‘Could Car Less’ display, donating materials for the sustainable submission.
The submission was designed as a replica of a typical Bootle front garden and features creative and practical ideas for bicycle storage, including an upcycled bike shed with a and features to
encourage urban biodiversity including 70 species of trees, shrubs and perennials.
Providing free materials such as wood and plastic, fixings and doors, other heavily discounted items, plus free use of the warehouse and necessary labour to cut any materials to size, Sovini Trade Supplies supported the Taking Root submission.
07 SOCIAL VALUE Statement
Sovini Trade Supplies continue to contribute to all of the UK Governments ‘The Social Model’ policy themes:
THEME 1 Covid 19 Recovery
THEME 2 Tackling Economic In-Equality
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 Effective stewardship of the enviroment
THEME 4 Equal Opportunity Reduce the disability employment gap Tackle workforce inequality
THEME 5 Wellbeing Improve health and wellbeing
Improve community integration
Sovini Trade Supplies, in partnership with internal and external stakeholders and local community groups, have delivered activities in 2023/24, creating social value. The results confirm the creation of value across the four benefit areas:
• Social
• Economic
• Environmental
• Charitable
A combined added value of £9.29m has been generated through work benefitting internal and external stakeholders, communities, businesses and economies locally. The estimated Social Return on Investment (SROI) is £3.22 for every £1 invested.
Evidence shows that we are acting responsibly in addressing several of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, ensuring activities carried out will create a more sustainable future for all.
