Urgent and emergency care services:

For emergencies call 999
For out of hours healthcare call 111

Telephone: 01228 514830

We strive for excellence in all that we do

Social Value

Cumbria Health as a social enterprise holds social value (SV) at the core of its business, we are now on a journey of adapting and challenging ourselves to find ways to make our services more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. Cumbria Health places the patient, family and their community at the heart of everything we do, however now is the time to place more emphasis to proactively and strategically drive the change that our society needs.

 

  • We will embed social value throughout our services and teams, underpinning it by a clearly defined work programme. This is the right thing to do for our local population and communities, we recognise that any progress made will benefit the society and ultimately bring us one step closer to reaching the NHS long-term aims of; preventing ill health, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare quality and improving health and wellbeing outcomes. This Social Value Strategy is in line with the Cumbria Health strategic Roadmap and Cumbria Health vision and values.

Cumbria Health is committed to:

Tackling the inequality and poverty within our communities
- promote partnership working, implementing local activities which contribute to reducing inequalities and improving health and wellbeing for all
Improving the quality of life
- for the people who live in our communities
Maximising local investment
- recognising the social, economic and environmental benefits of buying locally when procuring goods and services
Increase local employment
- we commit to increasing employment and training opportunities for local people, especially from areas of high deprivation and unemployment
Be recognised as a good employer
- providing outstanding careers, ensuring our employees have a positive and fulfilling experience - empowering our staff to deliver outstanding services, sustainably, every day
Champion equality, diversity and inclusion
- recognising people from different backgrounds and experience make a valuable contribution to the way in which we work
Be greener and sustainable
- we recognise the impact we have on the environment and our responsibility to improve our sustainability and contribute to better health and wellbeing of our local community.
Champion community engagement
- To promote an approach to managing our services and facilities, which drives greater efficiency and sustainability into corporate processes.
Doctor in treatment

Social Value Strategy

Aligned with our January 2024 Value Strategy, Cumbria Health is dedicated to upholding these core values.

Cumbria Health January 2024 Value Strategy
The Social Value Portal Framework We will monitor and demonstrate our commitment to delivering social value utilising the Social Value Portal Framework, whereby we adopt National TOMs (Themes, outcomes and measures).
  • The TOMs framework is designed to record and report social value and measure inputs, outputs, outcomes, or impact. The National TOMs record the social value generated by individual organisations.
  • Implementing recognised procedures for measuring and reporting on our Social Value outcomes and Social Return on Investment. Embed tools for monitoring, measuring and reporting on social value outcomes as part of our organisational processes.
  • Communicate our Social Value commitments and outcomes internally and externally. Apply for a Social Value Accreditation membership which will require annual reporting. Reporting on our Social Value commitments, through an annual Social Value report.
Travel achievements:
The organisation has encouraged the use of a staff pool car to help reduce individual vehicle usage and has reviewed its mileage claim policies to support efforts in cutting down business travel. It has also promoted the Cycle to Work scheme, making sustainable commuting more accessible for staff. Additionally, the increased use of Microsoft Teams and Attend Anywhere video-conferencing has further contributed to reducing the need for travel and associated mileage claims.
Procurement achievements:
Successfully achieved full marks in Social Value procurement questions as part of large GP procurements - Embedded our CSR strategy into the procurement process - Encouraged our suppliers to demonstrate their approach to CSR whilst ensuring best practice we maximised any spends to the Cumbrian footprint.
Environmental Impact achievements:
Improved recycling and waste infrastructures at Cumbria Health sites i.e. plastic, cardboard - Developed a strategy to remove fax machine usage - Reduced printer / paper costs LED lighting options to for ongoing refurbishment plans.
Community Engagement and Involvement achievements:
Had a selected charity of the year, voted for by Cumbria Health staff and support that charity through a number of fundraising events Supported staff with requests to volunteer within third sector organisations i.e. Trustee positions with a local charity Continuously supported work experience programmes, such as the GP training scheme Continued the existence and promote the Cumbria Health Social Enterprise Community Ran campaigns throughout the year such as food bank donations / charity cake sales Develop partnerships with third sector agencies to support community development work such as Mealbank and Healthbank
Workforce achievements:
Continued to host staff away days and meetings to give staff a voice with, especially for suggestive ‘green CSR schemes’ Created a new recruitment / Cumbria Health recruitment / promotion video Reported to staff via the newsletter / meetings how their activities affect wider operation of the Cumbria Health (e.g. resource use) Continued to develop an approach to apprenticeships and work experience linked to increasing employment opportunities for young people

Social Value

Social value measures the positive value businesses create for the economy, communities, and society.