Date published: 21 November 2023
Stonewater has released its latest social value report, highlighting the social impact of its work, which has supported thousands of customers across the country.
The 2022-23 report shows a social value totalling over £28 million and details how it supports customers across different initiatives and partnerships.
Using the Housing Association’s Charitable Trust (HACT) Value Insight model, each year Stonewater calculates the social impact of the work it does. This year, the report records a year-on-year increase in gross social impact value of 136%. In 2021-22, Stonewater's gross social impact was valued at almost £12 million, with support in areas such as community grants increasing from £780,715 in 2021-22 to £1,087,888 in 2022-23.
Highlights from the 2022-23 report include more than 400 customers being supported into work, education, training and independent living, hundreds helped through the organisation’s domestic abuse services – including 175 children - and significant increased investment in retirement living wellbeing services.
Stonewater has provided almost 1,000 new affordable homes over the financial year, and with sustainability goals in mind, has planted a tree for each one, as well as working with the Community Forest Trust to plant thousands more.
On top of this, 43 Shared Ownership customers were supported to buy more of their home, and more than 200 individuals have been assisted out of rough sleeping into temporary accommodation.
Nicholas Harris, Stonewater's CEO, said: “We know there is always a huge amount of good work going on across the organisation, both in regard to our primary aim of delivering affordable homes but also in relation to all the other amazing support being provided. However, seeing the impact of all that work pulled together in this way really hits home just how many people have been supported in a variety of ways.
“Life can be hugely challenging for many of our customers right now, and we will continue to do whatever we can in the coming months and years to support them.”
Throughout the year, several grants and partnerships have helped communities and customers, with around £22,000 in grants from the Longleigh Foundation providing customers with financial, mental and physical support, and a partnership with UK charity Revitalise has provided funding for 23 disabled customers and their carers to enjoy a week’s holiday.
The report also highlighted that new partnerships are being sought to support customers with furniture starter packs, and a fuel voucher scheme and signposting to further support, are helping existing customers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Customers have also been aided through a Dragon’s Den style event where three lucky winners were supported financially with their new businesses, and thousands more have benefitted from gardening projects, help with purchasing school uniform and various other initiatives.