A city working group was set up in early 2026 to help people and organisations across Leeds understand and deliver social value better. Social value is our shared responsibility. It is not just one organisation’s job, and everyone in Leeds has a part to play in making the biggest difference together.
Social value is about making sure our city’s success benefits everyone. This includes how we spend money, buy goods and services, work with communities, support local jobs and use our decisions, resources and relationships to create wider benefits for people, places, the environment and the local economy.
What we’re doing
We are bringing together partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors so we can:
- agree what good social value looks like for our city
- join up our work across organisations to reduce duplication and increase impact
- connect social value more strongly to community priorities and the Leeds Ambitions
- share learning, ideas and new approaches so everyone in Leeds can benefit
Together, we are building a more connected way of working, where organisations across Leeds work together to deliver real lasting benefits for our communities.
The group is made up of colleagues from Voluntary Action Leeds, Leeds Community Foundation, Arup, Leeds City Council, Hippo Digital, University of Leeds, LS14 Trust/Leeds Community Anchor Network and Jacobs.
The group's work also links closely with the Leeds Ambitions through the Ambition convenors, helping to ensure social value contributes to wider city priorities and outcomes.
What this will lead to
Over the coming months, we will work together to develop:
- a new social value vision for Leeds, replacing the previous Leeds Social Value Charter
- shared priorities and clear outcomes for our city
- practical tools and resources to help organisations play their part
This will help us take a clearer and more consistent approach to delivering social value across Leeds.
This page will be updated as the work develops.
If you want to find out more, get involved, or share great examples of social value in action in Leeds, please get in touch via email on ambitions@leeds.gov.uk.