Scaling social value and reaching ESG objectives in the housing sector

Too often volunteering programmes are run separately from the rest of social value and ESG activities and are provided merely as an employee benefit. Goodsted is presenting an exciting opportunity to align and integrate your volunteering programmes into the rest of your impact strategies and engage not only employees but also customers and suppliers in your programmes to scale your impact.

How Goodsted helps the housing sector? ??

Our innovative approach breaks down silos between teams, creates transparency for everyone engaging, and helps you easily report on your collective activities and impact.

Goodsted aims to be the best friend of anyone running these programmes.

Say goodbye to repetitive admin tasks and messy spreadsheets. And say hello to spending your valuable time building meaningful relationships, and creating exciting new projects for stakeholders to participate in ??

In 2021, the Regulator of Social Housing set out key financial challenges facing the housing sector, including the cost of living pressures on tenants and a weakening housing market. RSH advises that despite these challenges, tenant safety and landlord responsibilities should continue to be a priority. Engaging with and listening to tenants plays a critical role in this.

Concurrently, ESG has been gaining significance in the sector, and investors are prioritising this measure. This survey by Inside Housing shows that 88% of organisations said ESG funding is either 'very' or 'quite important' for an organisation's ability to meet future objectives. Goodsted is able to help progress the often neglected ‘S’ in ESG, as well as help support initiatives that contribute to positive environmental impact ??

Empowering colleagues and tenants through a well-designed volunteering programme can be one of the most effective ways to reduce isolation and loneliness, increase employability, and build stronger communities. Through our platform, tenants and staff are empowered to start initiatives to create positive social and environmental change, and can also volunteer their time to support and engage with their local communities (e.g. CV writing workshops, bid writing, spending time with elderly). In addition, through volunteering for non-profits or social enterprises, individuals can develop valuable skills and gain new experiences.

But why stop at tenants and staff? Involving suppliers and contractors in a volunteering programme helps scale the resources available to the community, and provides an easier way for your supply chain to achieve their own ESG and social value objectives. The more people we can involve in volunteering and community engagement programmes, the greater the ripple of positive social and environmental impact. This is the wonderful magic of running a multi-stakeholder volunteering programme. We’re stronger together.?

We are in good company ??

For 3 years now Goodsted has worked with the Aster Foundation, an independent charity in Southern England whose beneficiaries are the residents and wider communities of Aster Group UK , a housing association.

The Goodsted platform is an enabler that supports the Aster Foundation to deliver its mission of positively impacting 1 million people living with the causes and effects of poverty.?

"The platform allows us to efficiently and effectively manage all components of our volunteering program and supports the Aster Foundation to remain compliant and deliver high standards of donor and volunteer stewardship. We have 480 members registered on the platform and a further 59 community partners."

Claire Ryan, Assistant Director Income Generation, Fundraising and Engagement

Last quarter, we also launched our collaboration with Platform Housing Group , one of the largest housing associations in the Midlands owning and managing over 47,000 homes.

"Platform’s new volunteering hub will enable us to connect with our volunteers and make it easier for our customers, colleagues, board members and stakeholders to engage and get involved in all the great community initiatives we offer."

Marion Duffy, Chief Operating Officer?

Goodsted estimates that as volunteering programmes scale, the software can reduce up to 70% of the admin work required. This solution is able to support housing associations of any size. Whether you’re just getting started with your volunteering programme, or you’re looking to scale, it’s easy and cost-effective to get going.

If you would like to learn more about how Goodsted works feel free to get in touch with us.

Together, we can build a better world ?

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