NEPO and its Members contribute nearly £3million to North East communities in 2024

This month, the North East-based procurement organisation, NEPO, is set to announce the publication of its third annual Social Value report, celebrating a total contribution of £2.74M to local projects.

The announcement, which is to be published in December, demonstrates NEPO’s support for the region’s communities through projects for the period of July 2023 - October 2024, highlighting the positive impact on the people, communities and the environment of the region. Initiatives included empowering over 1,000 apprentices and trainees, generating £31,000 to support reforestation projects, delivering 1,816 hours of teaching support for schools and colleges, and donating £279,000 in cash, in-kind or volunteering support to local community projects.

The report highlights NEPO’s longstanding commitment to the North East and reflects the work Member Authorities have undertaken as part of a shared desire to support social development. Across the 2023-2024 programme of procurement renewals, NEPO secured social value outcomes with suppliers committed to delivering jobs and apprenticeships, supporting communities, investing in supply chains and reducing carbon emissions.

Significantly, the report shows that NEPO and its Member Authorities collectively contributed to 1,073 of apprenticeship or T-Level training, helped 51 local people into full-time employment positions, and funded £439,000 toward supporting unemployed people into work. One project, Version 1's Early Careers Programme, saw the firm partner with Northumbria University to offer a 48-week training programme for sixteen graduates who went on to secure full-time positions with Version 1.

Support for community projects spanned across the region from Northumberland to Redcar with member organisation EDF, the business energy supplier, and the team from NEPO working together to fully renovate the Parent and Child Together North East (PACTNE) site near Darlington. PACTNE provide shelter for families in and around the Tees Valley area, offering physical and emotional wellbeing for families struggling with ongoing health challenges, homelessness, and domestic violence.

Trevor Birtle, Chair of Trustees at PACTNE, said: “We house families who are vulnerable for lots of different reasons and need intensive support for a period of time. The results have been great, many families have gone back into the community feeling so much stronger after staying here. EDF and NEPO have helped make a big impact to improve our on-site facilities for the families who reside here, in a short space of time. It’s very much appreciated.”

The report also identified the significant impact NEPO had on improving the environment of the region through tree planting, community space regeneration and beach cleaning. Over the summer season, volunteers from NEPO joined forces with the team at Bunzl Greenham to organise and deliver a litter picking drive along Durham’s Heritage Coastline with guidance from SeaScapes. This work helped to prevent man-made litter entering the ocean and damaging local marine life.

Nicola Shelley, Managing Director at NEPO: “We are proud of the support we have been able to deliver, and we'd like to thank all our suppliers, Member Authorities and partners for their efforts in helping us make a real difference to the communities that we serve. We aim to bring about real change, and we couldn’t do it without you. Our work has given us insight into the needs and challenges faced by the individuals and communities, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our members on projects that support our region.

“We realise that it is important that these initiatives are realised through delivery and the benefits are targeted in the right way. That is why in 2025 we will be announcing a new ESG Social Value Model to deliver a fairer, more transparent, and flexible approach and maximise the benefits and changes we will continue to deliver.”