Catch22 has been a driving force for over two centuries in building resilience and fostering aspirations in individuals and communities. Supporting 160,000 service users annually across justice, education, employability, and skills, Catch22 faced a multifaceted challenge: aligning its diverse services, funding streams, and partnerships under a cohesive social value strategy. To address this, Catch22 partnered with Bean Research, leveraging its expertise to develop a tailored social value framework that resonates across its broad spectrum of work.

The Challenge

Catch22’s operations encompass a wide range of services, user groups, and locations, making it complex to define and implement a unified social value strategy. To meet these challenges, Catch22 needed a clear, actionable strategy aligned with government social value definitions while reflecting its mission of creating a strong society.

The Solution

Bean Research was commissioned to conduct an approach and strategy review through consultations and data analysis to deliver a comprehensive social value framework aligned with its vision: a strong society where everyone has a good place to live, a purpose, and good people around them.

Bean developed a social value framework underpinned by Catch22’s three pillars:
– Good People: Focusing on employability, workforce equality, and skills development.
– Purpose: Incorporating environmental initiatives and sustainability goals.
– A Good Place to Live: Promoting community building and engagement.

This framework was mapped to the National TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures), ensuring consistency in bidding and reporting for public sector contracts.

And developing a Social Value Toolkit designed to help Catch22 articulate and measure its social value as a supplier and in partnerships, including a Menu for Social Value Partnerships, provided a structured approach for delivering and communicating social value across diverse partnerships.

A Lasting Impact

Catch22’s collaboration with Bean Research underscores the power of strategic partnership in driving systemic change. By aligning its diverse operations under a clear social value framework, Catch22 is better positioned to deliver on its mission, ensuring that communities across the UK thrive.

Through ongoing support, Bean acts as a “guide on the side,” empowering Catch22 to address systemic inequality and local needs, paving the way for a more equitable and resilient society.

Access to digital skills: who is being left behind?

Bean Research also carried out thorough desk research to identify barriers to acquiring digital skills for the workforce, resulting in the creation of four comprehensive papers. Developed with Catch22 and Nominet, these publications highlight the obstacles and inequalities faced by some of the UK’s most disadvantaged individuals in accessing and enhancing their digital skills. The findings have not only led to actionable recommendations but also facilitated the formation of a strategic partnership aimed at tackling systemic inequalities while addressing the needs at the grassroots level. By making these reports publicly accessible, Bean and Catch22 aspire to inspire and guide others in utilising these lessons, insights, and ideas to foster meaningful change.

“Bean is brilliant and understanding the role of social value in our organisation and helping us to build a framework that works for us.”  

Melissa Milner, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships, Catch 22