Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) is a Community Voluntary Council (CVC) dedicated to supporting third-sector organisations, including charities and social enterprises, within Pembrokeshire. Steffan Lemke-Elms, the Social Enterprise Officer at PAVS, supports approximately 120 individuals and organisations, helping them secure funding, manage governance, increase revenue streams, recruit volunteers, and effectively record and showcase their social value.
Challenge
Before 2023, many smaller third-sector organisations struggled to clearly articulate their social value. With growing requirements from funders and contract providers to demonstrate impact, these organisations faced barriers due to limited resources, capacity constraints, and a general lack of understanding about how to quantify and communicate their social value effectively.
Solution
In response to these challenges, Pembrokeshire Local Authority acquired licences for the Social Value Engine. PAVS received one of these licences as part of a pilot project, led by Steffan Lemke-Elms. Steffan now hosts regular workshops and provides ongoing one-to-one support to organisations, guiding them through using the Social Value Engine to create detailed social value reports and impactful communication materials such as infographics and impact cards.
The Social Value Engine team proactively collaborated with PAVS, integrating local policy frameworks like the Welsh Well-being of Future Generations Act into their tool. Additionally, they translated the proxy measures into Welsh, aligning with Wales’ bilingual communication policy.
Impact
The adoption of the Social Value Engine has significantly benefitted Pembrokeshire’s social enterprises. Firstly, it has raised organisational awareness about the extensive social impact of their operations, informing strategic decision-making. Secondly, organisations can now confidently demonstrate their social value in funding applications and tenders, enhancing their competitiveness. Lastly, it has strengthened their ability to communicate effectively with the public, boosting marketing and fundraising efforts by clearly showcasing tangible outcomes.
Conclusion
Using the Social Value Engine, PAVS has successfully addressed the previous challenges faced by third-sector organisations in Pembrokeshire. It has empowered these organisations to measure, articulate, and leverage their social value effectively. Continued collaboration between PAVS and the Social Value Engine team ensures ongoing refinement of the platform, maintaining its relevance and effectiveness for Welsh social enterprises.
