Ever wondered how to win more contracts? For many businesses across Greater Manchester, the answer is something familiar but not yet fully understood: Social Value

Since the introduction of the Public Services (Social Value) Act and the Government’s Social Value Model, Social Value has become a mandatory consideration in UK public procurement. 

Many contracting authorities now apply a minimum 10% weighting (with some as high as 20%) — directly linked to the social, environmental, and economic impact that suppliers can demonstrate. As a result, two bids with similar prices and quality can perform very differently based on how clearly each supplier evidences Social Value.

For organisations focused on growth and long-term competitiveness, Social Value is no longer optional. It’s a strategic advantage.

Below, we go through the most common questions we hear about leveraging social value in contract bids. 

“How can SMEs keep up with larger organisations?”

This is one of the most common concerns we hear — and the truth is, you don’t need a big budget to deliver meaningful Social Value.

SMEs often score highly because they can offer:

• Local relationships and community connections
• Tailored, achievable commitments
• Quick delivery with authentic impact

Collaborating with local charities, VCSE groups, or social enterprises can also amplify outcomes without stretching resources.

“How do organisations understand what a local area needs?”

A strong Social Value response doesn’t guess — it aligns activity with existing local priorities.

Organisations can do this by:

• Reviewing local authority Social Value policies
• Checking neighbourhood/community plans
• Speaking with local VCSE partners
• Looking at local employment, health or sustainability data

This ensures commitments are relevant, place-based, and more likely to score well.

“How can I show my support that makes a difference?”

For SMEs and start-ups without dedicated Social Value expertise, partnering with specialists or local social enterprises can help shape realistic commitments, co-design activities, and measure outcomes effectively. Working with organisations like Bolton CVS (a local social enterprise) can ensure activity reflects community needs and generates valuable evidence for future tenders.

• Impact Measurement Reports – publish data on community benefits, such as jobs created or carbon reduced. The Themes, Outcomes and Measures (TOMs) framework is the UK’s recognised standard for social value measurement. It provides a consistent way to quantify and validate impact, using government-backed data and proxies.
• Stakeholder Testimonials – share stories from employees, customers, or local partners about positive outcomes.
• Accreditations & Certifications – obtain recognition from social value frameworks or sustainability standards.

Strong Social Value practice also builds trust with clients and partners and can create internal benefits such as cost savings, engagement, and improved retention.

Need support? We’re here to help.

If you’d like to explore how Social Value can support your business growth, feel free to contact our People Team for a chat — we’re here to support you whenever you’re ready.

Social Value Workshops

Our Social Value workshops are designed to help businesses embed Social Value into strategy and demonstrate it effectively during procurement.

Embedding Social Value – From Strategy to Tender Success

Understand what Social Value means for your organisation, how to embed it into your strategy, and how clear commitments can strengthen tender readiness.

Demonstrating Social Value – Evidence That Wins Contracts

Learn how to measure and report Social Value using recognised frameworks — and present your impact in ways that resonate with buyers.

Led by our Social Value Specialists and Sustainability Consultant, these sessions provide practical tools and real-world examples tailored for businesses in Greater Manchester. For more details and to register: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/events/social-impact-series/