Warrington-based national health and social care charity Making Space is celebrating after achieving the Silver Social Value Quality Mark (SVQM), recognising the positive impact it creates for people, communities and wider society.
Headquartered in Warrington, Making Space provides health and social care services across the country, supporting people with a range of care and support needs, including people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia, older people and unpaid carers.
The charity has progressed from Bronze to Silver accreditation after an independent assessment found strong evidence that social value is embedded throughout the organisation.
Making Space achieved 100% compliance across all mandatory requirements and an overall score of 90.8%, comfortably exceeding the 80% threshold required for the Silver award.
The independent audit highlighted Making Space’s strong leadership and strategic vision, effective governance, robust evidence and commitment to creating and delivering social value across all levels of the organisation.
It also recognised the charity’s approach to making social value part of its culture rather than treating it simply as a reporting or data collection exercise. Auditors highlighted the organisation’s focus on engaging and educating colleagues so they recognise the wider difference their everyday work makes.
Social value at Making Space includes supporting local employment, investing in skills and development, creating volunteering opportunities, strengthening community partnerships, promoting equality and inclusion, supporting local economies and supply chains and reducing environmental impact.
Rachel Peacock, CEO of Making Space, said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Silver Social Value Quality Mark. Making Space has called Warrington home for many years, but the impact created by our colleagues and volunteers reaches communities across the country.
“As a social care charity, making a positive difference is at the heart of why we exist. That goes beyond the care and support we provide. It is also about being a responsible employer, creating opportunities, investing in communities, working collaboratively with our partners and considering the wider social and environmental impact of the decisions we make.
“What makes this recognition particularly important is that it shows social value is becoming embedded throughout Making Space. This achievement belongs to our colleagues and volunteers and everyone who works alongside us to improve lives and strengthen communities.
“Moving from Bronze to Silver is a significant milestone and one we are extremely proud of, but we are already looking ahead at how we can build on this progress as we work towards Gold.”
The assessment included an extensive review of evidence alongside consultations with Making Space colleagues and external stakeholders, including commissioners.
Among its strongest areas were its engagement with its wider network of stakeholders, partners, suppliers and communities, which scored 93.8%, and its social value reporting, which scored 93.3%.
The audit also praised the work of Making Space’s dedicated Social Value team and network of Social Value Champions, who are helping colleagues understand, capture and celebrate the difference being made through services and activities across the organisation.
Gareth Davies, Associate Director of Development and Social Value Lead at Making Space, said: “Achieving the Social Value Quality Mark Silver Award is a fantastic achievement for Making Space and recognition of the commitment, passion and values demonstrated by colleagues across the organisation every day.
“What makes this award particularly meaningful is that it acknowledges social value as something that is truly embedded throughout the organisation, not simply a reporting requirement or contractual obligation.
“This achievement belongs to every colleague, volunteer, partner and stakeholder who contributes to making a positive difference. It reflects a shared commitment to improving lives, strengthening communities and demonstrating the wider value our services create every day.
“Silver is a significant milestone, but the journey continues as we strive to create even greater impact and work towards Gold accreditation in the future.”
Huw Evans, Director of Quality at Social Value Quality Mark CIC, said: “Achieving the Silver Social Value Quality Mark is a significant accomplishment – reflecting the lasting impact that Making Space is creating in the care and mental health space. It provides independent assurance that the charity is genuinely listening to the needs of its communities and is linking its delivery tightly to feedback. Congratulations to the whole team on demonstrating positive sector leadership and long-term legacy – we look forward to supporting the next stages of their ambitious journey.”
The independent audit concluded that the passion, drive and energy demonstrated across Making Space was evident throughout its stakeholder interviews and evidence review. It described the progress made since Bronze as deserving “immense applause” and said the charity is well positioned for future progression to the Gold standard.
Making Space will now build on the achievement by continuing to improve how it captures and demonstrates its impact, strengthening engagement with communities, colleagues, volunteers, partners and suppliers and further embedding social value across its services.
