Social Value Research Project

Social Value Research Project for Community Transport (CT) Operators 

Empowering Community Transport with Impactful Data 

The Social Value Research Project is an initiative by the Community Transport Association (CTA) in partnership with Ealing Community Transport (ECT) to equip CT operators with a unique toolkit to measure and demonstrate their social impact. This project will generate valuable data to highlight the contributions of the CT sector and help organisations communicate their value to stakeholders, including funders and local and national governments. Participating organisations will receive tools, support, and insights to strengthen their position and attract greater investment in community transport.

What is the Social Value Toolkit?

 ECT Charity has been hard at work on a completely revised version of their pioneering CT Social Value Toolkit – Version 2.0.  The original CT Social Value Toolkit has been helping CTs communicate the difference they make since its launch in 2018. 

The toolkit enables organisations to capture the Social Value created by CTs more accurately and completely than ever, ensuring it will add even more strength to our arguments that CT is essential to UK transport. New features of Version 2.0 include:

• National data – all of the Social Value data gathered by CTs is aggregated. This means it can be used to inform national campaigns of the value that Community Transport brings
• Environmental impact – the toolkit now fully accounts for the positive difference of travelling together by CT rather than individual car/taxi use, and the impact of electric vehicles
• Updated methods and values - the calculations use the very latest methods and values based on recent research
• CTs and the economy – the toolkit now takes better account of the impact CTs have on their local economy, both as employers and affordable transport providers
• The power of volunteering – the toolkit now adds the benefits of wellbeing created by CT volunteering opportunities
• Urban-rural – the toolkit now accounts for the real differences between these two settings, increasing accuracy.

Why Join the Social Value Research Project?

By joining this project, your organisation will:

• Demonstrate Impact: Use the Social Value Toolkit to showcase your contributions and present a compelling case for support and funding.
• Influence Stakeholders: Effectively communicate your social value to stakeholders and decision-makers, driving greater engagement.
• Gain Valuable Insights: Access resources and support to improve your data collection, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
• Be Part of a National Effort: Contribute to a UK-wide study shaping future support and policies for community transport.

Who Should Register?

We are inviting community transport organisations that:

• Are current members of CTA and will maintain membership throughout the project.
• Have operated in the UK, delivering services for at least one year.
• Already have some data collection processes in place or are ready to implement them.
• Operate as primary or secondary transport providers with a significant community transport component.

Selection Criteria: We are aiming for a representative sample across the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as various income levels and operational sizes. 

Priority will be given to operators that align with these criteria.

What Will Be Required from Participating Organisations?

To ensure the success of this project and meaningful insights, participating organisations will be required to:

1. Data Collection and Reporting: Commit to collecting and inputting at least 12 months of data into the Social Value Toolkit. The first data submission should be completed by the end of April 2025, with quarterly data returns afterward.
2. Continuous Participation: Maintain active CTA membership and engage with the toolkit throughout the 12-month project period.

We encourage organisations to actively participate in:

1. Engagement with Support Resources: Attend three webinars designed to enhance knowledge in data collection, analysis, and application. CTA and ECT will also provide technical support and one-on-one assistance to help you meet the project’s data requirements.

Project Benefits & Support

Participating organisations will receive:

• Financial Support: CTA and ECT are offering discounts on toolkit access, making this resource more affordable.
• Technical Assistance: Dedicated support from ECT to set up and use the toolkit.
• Training and Development: Access to three expert-led webinars focused on data collection, analysis, and leveraging insights.
• One-on-One Guidance: CTA and ECT staff will provide individualised assistance with data gathering and toolkit use.

Cost to CT Organisations

To make this initiative accessible, CTA and ECT are offering subsidised rates for the toolkit access based on your organisation’s income level:

Participating organisations can benefit from these reduced costs, making it easier to access the toolkit and maximise your impact data.

How to Register

1. Confirm Eligibility: Review the criteria to ensure your organisation meets the project requirements.

2. Apply by Wed 18th December: Submit your application today, we aim to select the organisations by mid-December.

    complete the Application form

Please note that we may close this form early if there is high interest so apply soon. 

If you are in Wales or Northern Ireland please contact the relevant team to discuss opportunities

3. Begin Participation: Following selection, CTA and ECT will provide onboarding materials, including project briefing, toolkit setup, and training sessions.

Contact Us

For questions about eligibility, requirements, or the application process, please contact Nick Mills, Research and Insight Manager.  Nick@ctauk.org

For technical questions on the Social Value Toolkit please contact ECT directly on socialvalue@ectcharity.co.uk. You can also find out more about the toolkit here.