At Forward Mentoring and Support CIC we believe it is our responsibility to enhance local communities through the way we work.
Our social value commitments are:
- We aim to have a net positive impact on local communities where we operate. We will build relationships with key stakeholders so we can understand their social and economic priorities.
- We will donate business resources including employee time and skills, materials and funds to help tackle social issues.
- We will demonstrate good corporate citizenship by the way we do business.
- We aim to make Forward Mentoring and Support CIC a great place to work by listening to our employees and encouraging them to share their views on how we can have more of a positive impact.
Governance, measurement and assurance
We are committed to monitoring and reviewing our approach to creating social value. This will empower us to tackle social issues identified as a priority by our clients, employees and local communities.
We will achieve this by:
- Measuring the breadth and impact of our enhancing lives activities internally and externally
- Using recognised national frameworks for measuring social value outcomes
- Continuously improving our standards, efficiency and effectiveness
Creating Social Value
We create social value by collaboratively working with our employees, supply chains, clients and other key stakeholders.
Our Forward Together Program encompasses the array of activities that we believe will have a positive impact on communities.
We have grouped our activities into three key areas that we believe are essential to creating social value;
- Recruitment and retention of staff primarily from local communities within the County of Gloucestershire.
- Invest in the development of a robust hiring strategy
- Provide fulfilling opportunities, and creating a workplace that people genuinely enjoy being a part of
- Create opportunities for employment in our support services for people with learning disabilities. Creating a working environment that is mindful of their additional needs whilst celebrating and building upon their skill-sets
- Provide support for employees whose first language is not English
- Connect with local schools, colleges and Universities in the South-West to offer opportunities for work-experiences, placements and internships
- Providing a number of voluntary hours to assist with the development of English language skills for those whose first language is not English and Literacy skills in those attending schools and colleges
- An initial provision of 55 voluntary hours (year 1) that responds to the needs of local organisations.
- Connect with local schools and voluntary organisations to support reading skills in children and young people.
- A commitment to an annual increase of our voluntary hours in line with Business growth and development
3. Actively caring for the wellbeing of our staff and create an inclusive culture so that everyone can feel safe and be themselves
- We will conduct our business with the best interests of all staff now and in the future in mind
- Encourage informal human-to-human connection between all staff. This helps foster empathy and understanding organically. Create opportunities, and solicit volunteers to facilitate discussions on topics around inclusion, communication and cultural differences.
- Supporting the overall wellbeing and mental health of all our employees
- Offering support to help our employees grow and develop new skills
This statement will be communicated to our employees and relevant stakeholders and will be reviewed on an annual basis.