Sunderland housing association generates over £5m in local social value

Housing association Gentoo Group has generated a social value of more than £5m for Sunderland. The Group is celebrating a boost of more than £1m in social value compared to the previous year.

In 2021-22, the Group generated an overall social value of £5,914,763 through services and activities including supporting local community organisations, investing in safety and support services, offering support to homeless people and those in temporary accommodation, and providing services for young people, older people and those with care needs.

The report is a summary of the social impact work Gentoo provides to “improve the lives of tenants and communities” in the city. Amid the current cost of living crisis, these “vital” services are “more important than ever”.

From supporting 216 victims of domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour to generating over £1,075,953 of additional income for tenants through its dedicated Money Matters Team, the Group strives to support tenants during this challenging time.

The Group’s social value report is filled with highlights of services delivered throughout Sunderland in 2021-22 such as: 25 young people provided with a place they can call home at Holmewood House support centre £71,129 awarded to voluntary and community groups through Empower Sunderland Community Fund and our Aspire grants programme 120 people supported through the Group’s Wise Steps employment programme 600 Christmas presents delivered to families.

As well as supporting tenants and residents, Gentoo also “takes pride” in maintaining homes and community spaces. In the last year, the Group has inspected over 3,000 trees, cut 3.4 million square metres of grass and completed 572 play park inspections.

Nigel Wilson, chief executive officer at Gentoo Group, commented: “As the city recovers from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now seeing the impact of the cost of living crisis on tenants, making our social value work more important than ever.

“I’m extremely proud of the positive impact our social value work has had on the lives of our tenants over the last 12 months, and as new challenges arise, Gentoo will continue to be committed to delivering vital services that support the lives of our tenants and communities in Sunderland.”

Gentoo’s social value impact is measured using the HACT Wellbeing Valuation Approach and the national TOMs social value framework. By using these formulas, the group has been able to accurately measure the social impact of interventions and activities that have a positive impact on our people and communities.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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