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 2024/25 showed that:
Of our clients......
60% reported a very large improvement in their understanding of themselves, with 30% a large improvement.
90% reported a large or very large improvement in their ability to cope with their problems with 10% reporting a fair improvement.
Self-confidence and esteem showed a large to very large increase for 70% of individuals, with remaining 30% experiencing a fair improvement.
78% felt that their family relationships had significantly improved as a result of their attending counselling, with a further 22% suggesting a fair improvement.
63% saw a large to very large improvement in their ability to manage their work relationships, with 37% documenting a fair improvement.
84% reported either a large or very large improvement in their work-life balance, with an additional 16% reporting a fair improvement.
Of the service/agency......
78% of individuals were very satisfied with reception and first contact with Catalyst, and 22% quite satisfied.
90% were very satisfied with ease of using the service overall and 10% quite satisfied.
100% were very satisfied with the professionalism, understanding, impartiality and skill of the counsellors/therapists.
30% said they had used counselling as an alternative to medication, and 20% had reduced their medication as a result of counselling.
20% stated that they had reduced their use of alcohol, drugs or other self-harming behaviours as a result of counselling.
10% said that they had returned to work or begun working as a result of counselling.
100% rated the overall quality of service provided as either very good or excellent.
100% would either use the service again or recommend to someone else.
Other comments……
“absolutely life changing for me”
“would recommend to all friends and neighbours”
“(counsellor) was exceptional, friendly and made me feel at ease”
“I have gained so much from my sessions/has played a huge part in overall improvement for me”
“Catalyst is an excellent service that I feel lucky to have access to”
“always professional and friendly”
“I’m a happy customer”
“(counsellor) was wonderful/everything taken at my own pace/no pressure at any time”
“(counsellor) has been truly amazing/helped me improve my life tenfold”
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 East of England (SEEE).
