Social Enterprise
Under the Social Value Act 2012 (SVA) we aim to deliver significant social value to the local community as a social enterprise.
‘Social Value’ refers to the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of a community and its citizens.
Social value considers far more than just financial benefits and includes outcomes such as happiness, wellbeing, health, inclusion, empowerment, poverty and the environment.
The legal framework for social enterprises requires us to consider a number of areas including: compliance with the SVA, returning value for money and return on investment, managing demand and mitigating budget changes, increased local employment and growth, public health and wellbeing benefits, community resilience, and joint working around commissioning and procurement.
Some of these issues are particularly relevant for Catalyst.
Our most recent annual social value report 2023/24 showed that:
Of our clients......
91% reported either a large or very large improvement in their understanding of themselves and 9% a fair improvement
80% reported either a large or very large improvement in their ability to cope with their problem(s) and 20% a fair improvement
Self-confidence and esteem showed either a fair, large or very large increase for 85% of individuals
84% saw either a large, very large or fair improvement in their ability to manage their work/life balance
85% felt that their family relationships had either significantly or very significantly improved as a result of their counselling
Of the service/agency......
84% were very satisfied with first contact and ease of using the service with a further 16% quite satisfied
92% were very satisfied with the professionalism, understanding, impartiality and skill of the counsellors with a further 8% quite satisfied
100% rated the overall quality of the service provided as being either very good or excellent
25% said they had used counselling as an alternative to medication
100% would either use the service again if needed or recommend to someone else
Other comments……
“very satisfied with my whole experience and a very special thank you…..”
“was so very helpful to have someone to talk to each week”
“I am very thankful – wonderful counsellor”
“I have been extremely fortunate in finding Catalyst and being able to continue my counselling journey…..”
“hard, enjoyable, scary, fun, enlightening, grounding and safe”
“I have seen a big improvement in my mental health and confidence…..”
“I feel more equipped at coping with life and making decisions…..”
“I have a sense of direction now”
“I have become much better at setting boundaries”
“I would like to thank (counsellor) and Catalyst for helping me find better ways to cope with life and change my way of thinking”
“very good service, felt I really benefitted and it gave me lots of practical help…..”
“(counsellor) was very helpful and allowed me lots of time to talk and explore”
“felt (counsellor) was invested in helping me and that I was important”
“I now have a far better understanding of who I am and have collared some really useful tools going forward”
“very grateful for this opportunity – thank you for all your help”
“I feel like I have been able to understand the main area that was causing me trouble for many years”
In line with findings from similar organisations, academic research and our own data, overwhelming evidence shows that counselling can transform clients' lives, and in so doing makes a significant impact for the better, not only for individuals, but also directly and indirectly to the wellbeing of the local community at all levels.
We are members of Social Enterprise UK.
