Not-for-profit businesses across Lincolnshire are being encouraged to register themselves on a new national database which showcases their services to potential buyers.

The Social Partnership Portal is a free online platform for organisations with a social or environmental purpose. It enables them to advertise what they do, where they operate and the benefits they bring to communities.

The portal will then be used by construction companies looking to procure work on projects and want to embed extra social value into their contracts.

The portal has been developed by public sector procurement specialist SCAPE and online supply chain Local Supply Chain, with support from Supply Change and over 25 of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure contractors, including Lincoln-based company Lindum Group.

 

Lindum Director Freddie Chambers said: “We believe construction should have a social conscience not just by creating greener spaces but by making sure the things we buy, and the way we build creates opportunities and strengthens communities.

“We regularly work with social enterprises and have commissioned the services of businesses like Pelican Trust and East Midlands Wood Recycling as part of our construction work.

“But we would love to extend our supply chain further in this area, which is why we would encourage organisations to sign up to the portal. It is a free, easy way of showcasing yourselves to potential buyers and increasing your engagement with construction projects.”

Mark Robinson, group chief executive, SCAPE said, “We are proud to be giving social enterprises and not for profit businesses a voice to the construction industry. Social value is at the heart of every framework designed by SCAPE and Lindum will be integral in delivering projects that actively engage with the socially responsible businesses registered on the portal.”

National procurement guidance increasingly encourages the use of socially responsible organisations in construction and the Social Partnership Portal is designed to make this process quick, simple, and easy.

By sourcing and engaging social suppliers on The Social Partnership Portal, buyers can evidence their social and sustainability outcomes, boosting social value across communities.

The portal will provide opportunities for testimonials from customers and the team behind it can help organisations achieve verified Social Enterprise status.

For more information, please go to www.socialpartnershipportal.co.uk