Social Impact Statement

The University of Northampton (UON) is committed to being socially innovative in order to deliver positive social impact and value to people and our environment.

The Procurement & Commercial Services Team believe that by working with our partners we can make a difference and have a positive social impact. Our ethos is to develop practices aimed at supporting and encouraging partners, local businesses, SMEs, and Social Enterprises to be more socially innovative in the way they develop their business and impart a positive social impact.

The UON Innovation Centre is a hub for organisations that deliver social impact, attracting tenant businesses that deliver social benefits, address social needs and tackle social problems in an enterprising way – through products and services, employment and training policies or use of the supply chain.

Examples of UON social impact are shown below:

• providing training to local unemployed young people and other disadvantaged groups

• purchasing goods and services directly from social enterprises

• improving recycling facilities and strategies

• reducing road miles and supporting local businesses through local purchasing

Social Innovation - bringing new thinking to help tackle old and new problems.