Defining social good?
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
In a world shaped by economic uncertainty, fractured trust in institutions and regional disparities, the idea of social good has never felt more urgent. But what do we actually mean by it — and what role can organisations, businesses, and civil society play in delivering it? The next steps are critical.
Social good refers to the why - the actions, investments, or policies that benefit the largest number of people in a community or society. It often involves improving quality of life, reducing inequality, and strengthening resilience especially for those historically left behind.
Think public health. Think social housing. Think local regeneration powered by community voices, or businesses aligning their success with the wellbeing of their regions. That’s social good in motion.
Social value is another term you will have begun to hear a lot more about. It is essentially how we measure or account for social good — especially in formal systems like public procurement, commissioning, or investment. It’s a practical framework for identifying and evidencing the additional social, environmental, or economic benefits an organisation can create beyond the basic delivery of a service or product. In the UK, this is a legally recognised concept under the Social Value Act (2012) and the Procurement Act (2023). But as a measure this will impact more and more on how we do business and do good.
The UK Context: Devolution, Disparity, and the Demand for More
Across the UK , the demand for social good is wrapped tightly around questions of place, identity, and the economics of disadvantage. After years of austerity, the uneven impacts of Brexit, and the COVID-19 recovery, many communities feel both overlooked and underfunded.
Despite talk of "levelling up", the data still tells a story of inequality. A child born in Middlesbrough today has a lower life expectancy and fewer opportunities than one born in the South East of the country. Philanthropy, local leadership, and public-private partnerships all have a role to play along with social value , but they must be shaped by the people and places they aim to serve.
I've been a local councillor in a small rural community for nearly four years and I've seen how quickly communities can disengage with each other and how public perception about government at local and national level is deeply entrenched in the experiences of the past decade. It is really hard to convince communities about governance and big institutions which are costing them more money. But when you create the right conditions for community groups, the power of that interaction changes everything.
Regional devolution is our Obi-Wan Kenobi - it gives us hope. Metro mayors and combined authorities are gaining new powers to drive economic development in line with local priorities. But money is limited and "things" are not cheap. But I would argue that the role of social good — and those committed to it — is to ensure these new powers are exercised in ways that are inclusive, bold, and support under dog causes and ideas. There's a lot of parading around senior leaders for photo ops and buzzy projects. How do you win a sceptical public over?
Social Impact Has To Be Cross-Sector
Too often, the idea of doing good is boxed off as the domain of charities or the voluntary sector. But the truth is, these organisation have a lot of work to do to keep their head up right now - they are already doing the heavy lifting.
Even the key players in the space are struggling, including anchor institutions, cultural organisations and our universities.
There is need for more leadership in the social good an impact space and these are going to have to come from the following sectors:
- Businesses who align profit with purpose
- Investors prioritising Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG ) and long-term resilience
- Funders who support systemic, place-based change
What binds all of this is an understanding that impact is not accidental. It’s intentional, strategic, and measurable. It thrives when we design for it from the ground up - so communities are important to us (and they do not feel heard right now).
Social good - which needs some more unpacking - is the key to future success, prosperity and actual balancing up the disparities which have sadly emerged of decades of political churn.
And in future editions we will spotlight some good examples of best practice with more detail on this success. Make sure you sign up for more info.