How SMEs and charities can work together for mutual benefit?

Home-Start in East Lancashire (HSEL) is looking for additional businesses to work in partnership with - but what advantages could those businesses gain?

The Procurement Act came into law in February 2025, bringing with it a major shift in the way every government agency buys goods and services across all sectors of the economy.

The change in the law puts in place a legal obligation to ‘explicitly evaluate Social Value and wellbeing’ in all contract bids and encourages commissioners to look to local providers for local solutions. 

If you are an organisation with more than 20 employees which currently obtains revenue directly or indirectly from government departments or the wider public sector you will need to show how your business makes a positive impact in the communities in which you operate.  This is integral in any new applications.

So, what does this mean?

Put simply, businesses that embed a social purpose strategy into core operations and invest in relationships with nonprofit organisations will

•  Win more public sector contracts by meeting social value requirements.
•  Build stronger relationships in the communities in which they operate.

Businesses which do not have the resources to run their own social value programme can approach local charities for help to adapt to the new environment and embed social value into commercial strategy.

Contributions can either be simple financial support or by giving employees the opportunity to volunteer.

HSEL's chair is employed by a well-known Ribble Valley company who allow her a certain number of hours to support HSEL.

Volunteering in this way widens staff horizons, allows them to grow and develop new skill sets in a safe environment, which they can take back to the work pace and enhance their professional career development. 

HSEL currently work closely with some local businesses but are actively seeking additional partnerships to enhance our work.

The charity can provide evidence of how the named business partner helps to deliver social value, either through the numerous groups they run, the development of volunteers or the improved outcomes for the families they support throughout East Lancashire.

To contact the HSEL manager email: [email protected]