CAF has appointed two experienced social value delivery partners to significantly increase the organisation’s positive social change activities.
The appointments of Lucy Smith and Melissa Dalton-Cocks come as CAF UK has been named the global leader for social value within the CAF group.
CAF UK was rated as the best performing subsidiary by charity partners surveyed in CAF’s 2023 Social Value Satisfaction Survey, scoring 9.3 out of 10 against the global average of 8.5.
“The scoring from our various community collaborators reflects the strong cultural foundations formed through our targeted and collective approach to social action,” comments Kimberley Sweet-Roberts, CAF Social Value Manager.
“This recognition has facilitated growth of our Social Value Team, enhancing our capacity to build on the framework of our ecosystem which strives to improve the societal, environmental and economic challenges our communities face.
“With the UK plans for 2024 more ambitious than ever, Lucy and Melissa’s recruitment is a significant milestone.
“They are already proving to be valuable members of the social value team and I feel very privileged to be working alongside exceptional individuals whose values and passion ignite a desire to go above and beyond.”
The appointments have enabled CAF to fast-track the community-based social impact for London North Eastern Railway (LNER), all to be delivered within 10 miles of the East Coast Main line.
Aligned to the organisation’s aspirational 2024 plan, the social value activities form part of the high-profile contract to build a fleet of 10 tri-mode vehicles for the train operating company which was announced in November 2023.
Less than four weeks into their roles, delivery of employability support within local communities is underway; Melissa has delivered career guidance for electrical engineering students at London-based Waltham Forest College, while Lucy has led similar sessions working with job seekers through Leeds City Council’s Employment and Skills team.
CAF is also committed to investing over £10m in the first four years of the contract to boost the local economy, with a proportion being spent with social enterprises to support the delivery of further social impact across these communities.
In addition, CAF has wide-ranging plans to drive social impact across a variety of projects. These include spending more than 1,000 volunteering hours on tangible community projects which seek to improve mental health and wellbeing and enhance green spaces and biodiversity.
“We are already well underway with the delivery of LNER’S social value priority areas in and around London and Leeds.
“We look forward to expanding, strengthening and sustaining our community partnerships to deliver lasting positive change in social mobility,” adds Kimberley.
Lucy Smith says: “I love working in the community, engaging people in local projects while delivering the priorities of customers.
“Being involved in the LNER contract is a wonderful opportunity to pull together my experiences and deliver social value in a new light.”
Melissa adds: “I’m excited to be given the opportunity to deliver on aspirational social value activities which very much align with my passion for supporting and empowering young people, particularly those with special educational needs.”
