Housing association Gentoo generates £5m social boost for Sunderland

Sunderland housing association Gentoo has released its Social Impact Report 2018-19.

From the results, the organisation has revealed it has generated a social value for Sunderland totalling nearly £5m.

The report is a summary of the social and economic impact the group’s services, policies, projects and programmes have on its tenants, colleagues and communities across Sunderland.

In 2018-19, the group’s activity generated social value of almost £5m, through activities like providing services for young people, older people and those with care needs; working with involved tenants and residents’ associations; and getting people into work.

Nigel Wilson, group chief executive officer, said: “Social purpose is at the heart of what we do and having a positive impact on Sunderland is really important to us.

“Our Social Impact Report shows the real difference Gentoo’s services make to not only people living in our homes but to communities across the city.

“Gentoo’s aim is to provide great homes, build strong communities and support inspired people in Sunderland - this report shows just how much we’re delivering on that vision.”

Gentoo measured the impact of some of its services using the HACT Wellbeing Valuation Approach, said to be a ‘robust’ way to measure the social impact of an intervention by how much it increases people’s wellbeing.

It is also a method for placing values on things that do not have a market value through being bought or sold. The Social Impact Report also includes highlights of the services delivered throughout Sunderland in 2018-19, such as:

• 317 activities for tenants in extra care and sheltered accommodation schemes
• Supporting 102 tenants with complex needs
• Donating 1,500 Christmas gifts to 325 families
• Supporting 96 people through back-to-work programmes
• Awarding grants of £34,536 to local community groups

Gentoo has invested £33m in its properties since inception.