Good Will Studios

Social Impact Statements

The Social Enterprise Mark criteria includes a requirement that the applicant can demonstrate that social and/or environmental objectives are being achieved.

In support of this, new applicants and renewing Mark holders are asked to respond to a set of social impact questions, which are designed to help them think about the social impact they create, and to articulate this clearly and succinctly.

Updated September 2020

1) What are the main social differences you have aimed to make (or supported)?

• Climate change and sustainability
• Climate justice - a just transition to a low carbon future
• Low-waste and environmentally-conscious business practice
• Ethical businesses and empowering social enterprises to survive and thrive (overtaking “regular/non-ethical business”)
• Working with charities to increase their visibility and gain support for their causes
• Working within my own industry (creative / digital) to increase greener business practices

2) What actions have you taken to deliver the aims described above?

• Brand workshops to help social enterprises and charities better understand their market position
• Workshops to help them articulate their message
• Logo and brand design projects to visually refresh these organizations and present a bold and confident public-facing brand that builds trust
• Involvement in local environmental action groups
• Sustainability workshops with design agencies and co-working spaces to encourage greener work and life practices
• Produce worksheets and articles around sustainable business/lifestyles
• Running an online sustainability group to discuss ways to make the creative/digital industry greener and supporting initiatives with similar goals

3) What has changed, what specific outcomes and benefits have been realised as a result of the above actions?

• Individuals within the organisations have said they have better internal comms clarity and strategy
• Increased confidence and direction in their own approach to fundraising and marketing
• Charity directors say they have increased confidence in their charity brand and are no longer held back when promoting their causes - enabling them to reach a wider audience to deliver services and have a greater impact
• Engagement in the digital community (150+ guest registered to my digital sustainability event as part of the Leeds Digital Festival 2020 in April) working towards a more sustainable industry

4) Please describe how your income and/or any profits generated from previous years has been maximised in delivering social outputs and adding social value.

• Pro-bono workshops for charities and environmental action groups (usually £500 each)
• Pro-bono consultation for the above (usually £350 per day)
• Providing free resources and materials for social enterprises
• Dedicating percentages of my time to be host, organise and participate in sustainability events

Supplementary details

The below questions are not mandatory, but Mark holders are encouraged to answer them where possible, to provide a fuller account of their social outcomes and the social value they create.

5) How do you and other people know your aims are being achieved? Or how will you know?

Future feedback surveys will ask how my engagement with them have increased their impact in a more measurable way.