Delivering social impact: Anchor celebrates report launch at House of Commons

The social impact of Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, is documented in a report which was launched at the House of Commons on Tuesday 30 April.

The report, developed by the Purpose Coalition, reveals Anchor’s work to contribute to the communities it serves. It makes Anchor the first housing association to collaborate with the Purpose Coalition to assess its impact against a framework which builds on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The Purpose Coalition brings together parliamentarians and businesses to improve the role that organisations can play for their customers, colleagues, and communities, and is chaired by Rt Hon Justine Greening, the UK’s former Secretary of State for Education, Transport and International Development.

The Coalition assessed Anchor’s activity against a framework of 14 interconnected goals that measure social impact. Building on the foundations laid by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, they have been shaped by expertise from academia and business and adapted to tackle the unique challenges in the UK. The goals span a range of issues, from providing positive destinations for those over 16, to building homes and sustainable communities, and achieving equality through diversity and inclusion.

The report praises Anchor for its commitment to driving change to benefit the communities in which it works. It highlights a sharp focus on residents’ wellbeing and support for colleagues in areas including bereavement, loneliness, menopause and financial inclusion.

It also highlights successes in supporting young people into meaningful roles, ensuring a pipeline of diverse talent through its apprenticeship opportunities, and development of its staff with clear, supported career pathways.

The report also includes a series of recommendations which will allow Anchor to extend its impact even further:

• Introduce socioeconomic diversity tracking;

• Undertake a sectoral leadership role in pay-gap reporting;

• Build intergenerational cohesion and grow children’s awareness of age-related issues including dementia;

• Establish strategic partnerships with Purpose Coalition university partners.

The launch event at the House of Commons was attended by Anchor residents and colleagues, and members of the Purpose Coalition.

Chair of the Purpose Health Coalition and Former Minister for Public Health, Rt Hon Anne Milton, said:

“Purpose-led organisations like Anchor not only have a key role to play in our health and social care system through the provision of specialised housing and care services but can also lead the way in delivering opportunity across the country. This report demonstrates how Anchor’s comprehensive social impact approach is characterised not only by a dedication to its residents but also by an acknowledgement that its resident offering is interconnected with its colleague agenda and community approach. It has the potential to be a powerful voice for the sector, advocating for the older people it serves and for those who work in it.”

Chief Executive of Anchor, Sarah Jones, said:

“Anchor is committed to providing homes where people love living in later life, opening doors to opportunity and empowering our residents, colleagues and communities across the UK – and the Purpose Goals have given us a useful framework for our efforts. While the Coalition has worked with a wide range of organisations, we are proud to be the first housing association to work with them in this way and hope this provides a valuable step forward in documenting social impact and building a more equitable society.”

Ends 

For more information contact:  communications@anchor.org.uk

Notes to editors  

About Anchor   

Anchor began 60 years ago and today is England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. It provides retirement housing to rent and to buy, retirement villages and residential care homes, including specialist dementia care. In total, Anchor serves more than 65,000 residents in 54,000 homes across almost 1,700 locations. Its residential care services employ the majority of the 10,000 strong workforce, providing services to residents at 120 care homes.  Anchor operates in more than 85% of local councils in England. Anchor is an accredited real Living Wage employer – a mark of recognition awarded by the Living Wage Foundation and is an Age-friendly Employer. More than 3,500 of Anchor’s workforce are age 50+.  

For more information visit: https://www.anchor.org.uk/