Key Points
- Social value is a catalyst for real, lasting change beyond just economic impact.
- Havering resident Niamh Gibbs secured a paid work experience placement via the 12 Estates joint venture partnership between Havering Council and Wates Residential.
- Niamh’s journey highlights how such initiatives can unlock potential, build confidence, and create lasting career opportunities.
- The joint venture partnership involves creative agency Mediorite, which contributed to projects like video updates for local regeneration schemes and support for care-experienced youngsters.
- Niamh now works as an Accounts Assistant on the BBC’s award-winning show “Race Across the World,” managing financial administration.
- Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, emphasised the deep value of investing in people and communities through social value initiatives.
- The partnership between Havering Council and Wates Residential celebrates seven years of delivering affordable homes, apprenticeships, charity support, and job opportunities to local people.
- The social value strategy aims to build stronger, more connected, and representative local communities and creative industries.
What is social value and why does it matter?
Social value represents the broader impact initiatives have on communities beyond financial gain, emphasizing opportunities, support, and well-being improvements. Havering Council defines it as investing not just in housing but also in nurturing the local environment where people can meet, grow, learn, and innovate. This approach seeks to deliver long-term benefits in wellbeing and resilience for individuals and communities, ensuring that economic regeneration also translates into social prosperity (Havering Council).
How did Niamh Gibbs benefit from the social value initiative?
As reported by the London Borough of Havering, Niamh Gibbs was given a paid work experience placement through the 12 Estates joint venture partnership between Havering Council and Wates Residential. This opportunity was facilitated alongside creative agency Mediorite, where Niamh began by assisting with video updates for regeneration schemes such as New Green, Waterloo, and Queen Street. She also contributed to videos supporting care-experienced young people as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations (London Borough of Havering).
Niamh credits this experience with boosting her confidence and enhancing crucial skills such as communication and attention to detail. These competencies proved invaluable when she transitioned to a role as an Accounts Assistant on the BBC’s “Race Across the World,” where she handles complex financial administration, including international payments and reimbursements (London Borough of Havering).
What does Councillor Ray Morgon say about social value?
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, highlighted the transformative power of social value. He stated: “Social value isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a catalyst for real, lasting change. For Niamh, a paid work experience placement through our 12 Estates joint venture helped to open the door to a career she never imagined possible.” He further emphasised that as the joint venture partnership marks its seventh anniversary, stories like Niamh’s illustrate how investing in people fosters personal growth, professional success, and a creative industry that is stronger, more connected, and representative of the community (London Borough of Havering).
What achievements has the Havering Council and Wates Residential partnership made?
According to Wates Residential, the partnership between Havering Council and Wates Residential has marked seven successful years of delivering one of London’s most ambitious regeneration programmes. They have doubled the number of affordable homes in the borough, including 197 affordable homes at New Green in Rainham and 175 apartments for over 55s at Park Rise.
Beyond housing, their efforts have included investing over £202,000 in local charities, supporting nearly 5,000 apprenticeship training weeks, and volunteering thousands of hours to community projects such as restoring St Mary and St Peter’s Church and supporting the Rainham food bank.
Work is ongoing at new sites including Chippenham Road and the Waterloo Estate, focusing on affordable homes, green spaces, and creating job opportunities for local people. The partnership stresses that its commitment extends beyond the physical regeneration to building a more inclusive and connected community.
How does the social value strategy integrate with regeneration?
Social value in regeneration focuses on a coordinated approach to maximise social benefits in line with strategic priorities. Havering Council works with internal teams and external businesses, including partnerships like the 12 Estates joint venture, to ensure objectives such as creating job and training opportunities, supporting local businesses, and engaging vulnerable or socially isolated residents are met.
The strategy routinely requires social value outcomes in procurement contracts over £100,000 and adds such criteria where possible in smaller contracts. Engagement with community groups is key to tailoring opportunities, spaces, and places that genuinely improve local residents’ lives.
What broader initiatives and recognitions have Havering’s social value projects received?
A notable example is the Havering Low Energy Visitors Centre retrofit project, which embeds social value as a core principle aligned with environmental sustainability. This project has been recognised as a finalist in The Retrofit Academy Awards 2025, demonstrating the borough’s commitment to creating community-driven, environmentally and socially impactful initiatives.
