OUR SOCIAL VALUE IMPACT PLAN
WE'RE THINKING ABOUT EVENTS DIFFERENTLY
As ambassadors for this incredible city, we’re committed to helping it to thrive by leaving a positive and lasting legacy. To achieve this, we have a Social Value Impact Plan, which aims to maximise our positive impact through the four key pillars of people, sustainability, industry influence and community.
Since we started formally recording our social value in 2022, we have generated over £17.5 million in social value for the city region.
Our Social Value Impact Plan
Be a thoughtful and progressive employer
Our People pillar focuses on nurturing a great workplace, being a responsible employer and developing well-being and engagement initiatives for our colleagues.
People Highlights 2024-25
- Awarded Disability Confident Committed Employer Status
- Focused on colleague wellbeing through a cross-organisational working group
- Engaged with community groups to improve routes to employment
- Introduced a Work Experience Policy
- Awarded Patron Status by Elevate Education Business Partnership
Become more environmentally sustainable
The Sustainability pillar looks at our impact on the environment and how to reduce any negative impacts.
Sustainability Highlights 2024-25
- Carbon neutral in 2024, working towards Net Zero by 2030
- Green Meetings Gold Award and Greengage ECOSmart Platinum status
- Reduced carbon footprint by 12%
- Hosted sustainable events including Act 1.5 Presents and Expedition One
- Increased biodiversity on site with three beehives
Use our influence to evolve the industry
- Promoted social value through local suppliers
- Hosted third event legacy workshop
- Sponsored students to attend ABPCO Festival of Learning
- Hosted zero carbon house showcasing city strengths
Become integral to and loved by our community
- Raised £13000 for local community projects
- Provided venue space and tickets to charities
- Hosted city region accessibility forum
- Developing a new community-rooted brand
Take a look through our report below which provides more information about what we achieved last year and what we’re working on this year.
If you'd like to talk to our team about how we can help you on your sustainable event journey then please get in touch below or sign up to our database to track our progress.
Accessibility
We are continually working behind the scenes to increase the accessibility and usability of our venues, making sure that every visit to our campus is an enjoyable one.
Accessibility is about more than just physical facilities, it’s our culture and attitude that sets us apart.
Social Value
We’ve created a Social Value Impact Plan, a series of touchstones that we will hold ourselves accountable to, strive to support, achieve and challenge ourselves against. They are unique to us, deliverable and rooted in who we are and the things we care about most.
Sustainability
We want to deliver real impact and action, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, playing our part in the global fight against climate change.
On a local level we want to be a beacon for sustainability and to ensure we offset any negative impact our events and operations may have on the local environment.
Organisers
Our team are ready to build sustainable elements into your event delivery, helping to offset any negative impact our events and operations may have on the local environment.
Event legacy
We’ve created a Legacy Toolkit, to build knowledge around legacy and drive stronger engagement between organisers, venues, local communities and stakeholders.
Our charity
We're passionate about our vibrant and world-class city. That passion extends beyond the walls of our venues. Our Foundation is our way of giving back to the heart of our community.