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Tag: volunteering

Hull came together to turn good intentions into real change

Posted on by Philip Webb

On 19th November, Investors in Community (IIC) brought together some of Hull’s most committed businesses, charities and community leaders for an afternoon focused on one thing: turning good intentions into something real.

Hosted at the John Good Group HQ in Hessle, Profit Meets Purpose gave charities the space to talk openly about what help they need, gave businesses the chance to share what meaningful partnership looks like from their side and brought everyone into the same conversation (something that rarely happens in one room).

Where honest conversations sparked real collaboration

It was candid, energetic and refreshingly purposeful, with every speaker and attendee focused on practical action

Charities admitted where they feel stuck.
Businesses shared what they actually needed to know in order to help.
And everyone left with ideas they could act on.

One point kept coming up: Charities often don’t know how businesses want to be approached and businesses aren’t always sure what charities genuinely need.

Emily Blake, IIC’s Charity Relationships Coordinator, said it best:

“It was powerful seeing businesses and charities speaking honestly with each other, breaking down the fear of asking, the confusion around impact reporting and the pressure charities feel to ‘get it right’. These conversations don’t normally happen in one room.”

What businesses said matters most

Adam Walsh (John Good Group), Mark Burley (Keepmoat) and Laura Porter (Connexin) were clear:

Passion is important, but proof is what moves partnerships forward.

Matthew Wright (RSPCA Hull & East Riding Branch) summed it up:

“Businesses want to support charities, they just often struggle to find the right partner.
Platforms like IIC will absolutely bridge that gap and capture the real outcomes.”

Businesses want to know:

  • What’s the need?
  • What’s the impact?
  • How do we prove it?

Clear stories and measurable outcomes make all the difference.

What charities said they need help with

Many charities shared that it’s not willingness holding them back, it’s time, confidence and capacity.

Kirsty Clark (Matthew Good Foundation) highlighted that lots of small charities simply don’t know how to present their impact in a way that supports a business’s ESG or procurement needs.

That gap exists, but it’s one we can close with support, better tools and open conversations like these.

room of people with their backs to the camera looking at a panel of 4 people
Charity panellists addressing the room

Why offering different ways to give matters

Charities spoke about how important it is to offer more than one route for businesses to help, whether that’s:

  • sponsoring assets (such as kennels at the RSPCA)
  • running community cafés
  • offering staff skills
  • donating time or goods

When charities diversify how people can support them, more doors open and more pressure is lifted.

Emily put it perfectly:

“This event created a room of people who all want to do good and want to act quickly.
The connections made here will go far beyond today.”

What attendees said

The feedback says everything:

“Probably the single best event I have ever attended for meeting change makers.”
Asa Hancock, HET

“Impact and commercial performance are now completely intertwined.”
Jonathan Wragg (Ltt Group Ltd)

“A great event with great people. I came away with things to put into action.”
Chris Salt, Candlelighters Trust

“It was inspiring and exciting to see connections developing.”
Gill Emerton, Matthew’s Hub

“I learned a lot… so interesting hearing from the two panels from both sides of the same coin.”
Chloe Eliska Lawford, Sirius Homecare

A side on view of a Group of people sitting at tables and chairs looking towards the front of a room, listening
Profit Meets Purpose event, 19th November 2025

What happens next

This is only the beginning.

Hull now has a growing network of businesses and charities ready to collaborate, share knowledge and build stronger social value together, backed by IIC’s platform to track, verify and report the impact.

For businesses, this is a practical route to stronger ESG performance, better engagement and clearer reporting.

For charities, it means new partners, new opportunities and more confidence sharing the impact they create.

And for Hull, it marks the start of a more connected, more resilient local community.

Philip Webb, IIC CEO, summed up the feeling in the room:

“Events like this show what can happen when local businesses and charities collaborate with purpose. Measurable social value isn’t just good for communities, it’s good for business, culture and long-term sustainability.”

If you’d like to collaborate with IIC to run something similar in your area, or want to join the next Hull event, follow Investors in Community or get in touch.

When does giving pay you back?

Posted on by Philip Webb

A straight-talking look at the real ROI of Social Value

The big question: why give?

Let’s not sugar-coat it: in business, the word “give” usually sets off mental alarms about cost, not value. But what if giving (time, money, gifts, support) paid you back? Not in karma points or good vibes (though you get those too), but in cold, hard business ROI.

We’re talking staff engagement, revenue growth, profit uplift and brand love. Let’s take a look at the real returns from Social Value giving and whether you’re doing it right… or just ticking boxes.

1. Giving comes in more flavours than you think

Social Value giving isn’t a one-size-fits-all gig. Think of it as a portfolio:

  1. – Time: Volunteering, mentoring, skills-based support
  2. – Gifts: Products, services, giveaways with purpose
  3. – Money: Donations, matched funding, community grants

Each one builds a different bridge – to your people, your community and your customers. The win? When that bridge starts driving business growth.

An image split into three vertical columns. The left image is of a bearded man with glasses smiling and shaking hands with someone across a laptop. The middle image is of a man with red hair and wearing a knitted jumper looking down and smiling at his hand which is holding hay. The right side image is of a young woman explaining something with her hands gesturing - she is looking towards a laptop which is off camera, and an older man is in the background smiling. Across the bottom is a purple and blue gradient banner with the words "cash is just one way to give. Time and skills? That counts too.

2. What’s in it for you? The ROI of doing good

Strong team engagement

People want to work somewhere that gives a damn. Businesses with a Social Value mindset see:
– Higher retention (especially Gen Z and Millennials)
– More productivity (people go the extra mile when they care)
– Better hiring results (because your brand values speak volumes)

Revenue that reflects your purpose

Yes, purpose sells.
– Consumers are 4x more likely to buy from brands with values
– B2B clients now expect Social Value data in procurement.
The real return on giving? Growth, loyalty and sales. 

Profits with purpose…and proof!

Worried that giving costs too much? It doesn’t, if it works. 

– Lower churn = less hiring costs
– Higher tender scores = more wins (Social Value scores now carry legal weight in UK bids)
– Loyal customers = longer-term value

A brand people believe in

Social Value transforms blasé brands into real ones. It gives your team stories to tell, your partners

A close up view of a target with an arrow hitting the bullseye which is the Investors in Community symbol. Along the bottom is a black and orange gradient with the words "Purpose sells. And it boosts sales, too

3. The harsh truth: most businesses give…meh

Here’s the tough love. You donate. Volunteer. Sponsor the odd event. But then what? No tracking. No storytelling. No link to strategy.

It’s like planting seeds and never watering them.

So the ROI? Gone.

Two bucket-style plant pots, one pale purple, one mint green. Both have brown unwatered plants in them. Along the bottom is a purple and blue banner with the words "If you're giving and forgetting, don't expect results.

4. Want to flip that? Here’s how. 

Imagine this:

– Every hour your team gives is logged.
– Every pound donated is traced to real impact.
– Every act of goodwill becomes a story, a KPI, a tender advantage.

This is giving that works as hard as you do. 
That’s where platforms like Investors in Community come in. ( Not a plug. Just facts.)
We help businesses prove, improve, and promote their Social Value so the giving actually gives back.

A close up image of a light switch. The off button is labelled "basic" and the on button is labelled "strategic". A black and orange banner runs along the bottom with the words "Goodwill's great. Measured goodwill? Even better.

5. Audit. Accelerate. Win.

– What do you give now? Is it tracked? Tied to business outcomes?
– Set clear metrics: connect giving to staff engagement, tenders, retention.
– Go digital: streamline, track, report.
– Tell the story: Your team and your clients want to see it. Show them.

Two people with their backs to the camera looking at a computer screen displaying a digital dashboard with colourful charts and graphs. Along the bottom is a black and blue gradient banner with the words "Track it. Prove it. Shout about it. That's how giving pays.

Final Word

Giving, when it’s strategic and well-managed, becomes a growth engine. With the right approach, Social Value fuels loyalty, drives revenue and strengthens your reputation.
So… when does giving pay you back?

When you give with purpose, track with precision and tell the story like a boss.