A company’s success isn’t just about the bottom line, it can also be measured by the positive impact it has on its communities – the social value it creates. At Hippo, we’re passionate about building a better and brighter future for people in our communities and that’s why last year, we launched our Social Value Strategy.
This strategy has guided us to collaborations with organisations like the Salford Foundation, Surplus to Purpose, and Leeds Trinity University, and outlines impactful initiatives that make a real difference. And recently we released our first ever Social Value Report for 2024.
£25.7 million of social impact
Businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of their communities and by working alongside incredible partners, we generated £25.7 million of social impact in our first year, surpassing our initial target of £20 million.
Here are some examples of how our partnerships are making a positive difference:
- Environmental Responsibility: We’re empowering our team to become sustainability champions! By dedicating 396 hours to training and volunteering initiatives promoting environmental awareness, we’re reducing our footprint and contributing to a greener future for all. We’ve also planted 2,420 trees and completed 148 hours of environmental volunteering.
- Sustainable Procurement: As well as supporting a local supply chain, made up of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), we’re also supporting social enterprises. One example is our use of Shine, a Leeds-based social enterprise, for our office catering. Shine uses recyclable or compostable food packaging and has eliminated plastics. They also support local people who face complex barriers to employment.
- Social Equity: At Hippo, we are committed to addressing the digital skills gap. Our partnership with the School of Code provides vital mentoring to aspiring tech professionals. In 2023 alone, mentors dedicated an impressive 64 person-hours of support. We also partner with Leeds Trinity University to deliver mock assessment centres, preparing students for tech careers. This program benefits everyone – students gain valuable skills, our team gets a future talent pipeline, and the local community thrives.
- Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DI&B): It is vital our workforce is reflective of the communities we serve. This is why we have formed an employee-led DI&B Forum, established 4 communities of belonging and have started our work to extend our Disability Confident accreditation to Level 3.
- Health & Wellbeing: By supporting and investing in the health and wellbeing of our people and their local communities, we can create a mutually beneficial environment that promotes economic growth, enhances employee wellbeing, and secure long-term sustainability. During FY24, Hippo donated over £35k to charities and our people raised a further £13.5k through challenges including “Boycott Your Bed” in aid of Action for Children.
The Hippo Social Value Report
Our successful partnerships are driving us to explore new ways to create positive change. We’re focusing on three key areas:
- Empowering future tech talent: We’re expanding educational partnerships to equip more aspiring tech professionals with the skills they need to succeed. This fosters a diverse and skilled workforce, benefiting everyone.
- Minimising our environmental impact: Our unwavering commitment to sustainability compels us to actively research and integrate sustainable practices into daily operations. This reduces our environmental footprint.
- Supporting diverse/underrepresented communities: We’re building partnerships with a broader range of organisations providing essential services to children and families in need, as well as improving digital skills and closing the gap between people who may feel left behind by technology. By working together, we can empower these communities and build a brighter future.