NOW launching their new social enterprise consultancy business called Gauge which enables organisations to understand measure and communicate their value using the model of Social Return on Investment (SROI).

Through this new social enterprise, Gauge (NI) aims to standardise the measuring of social value, allow social enterprises and other third sector organisations to articulate the value they create through their activities, and enable social investors and commissioners of public services to make more intelligent investment or purchasing decisions.

Customer groups for the SROI services vary in accordance with the level of service provided ranging from small community and voluntary groups to larger well established organisations, social enterprises and statutory bodies / commissioning authorities.

Liam Black, who has worked experience in the roll out of SROI in England and Scotland, has put his full support behind Gauge “it is really important that those who say they trade to make a positive social difference in the world are able to quantify and measure their results. It’s time for social entrepreneurs to prove it and Gauge will really help”

The event is a double celebration with Employers For Childcare being the very first organisation in Northern Ireland to pass strict criteria to achieve the prestigious ‘Social Enterprise Mark’. Liam Black presented Employers For Childcare with the Mark on 18th September. As the first recipient of the Social Enterprise Mark in Northern Ireland they are the National Champion in Northern Ireland. The Social Enterprise Mark is an instantly recognisable label to identify social enterprises; it reminds customers that by supporting a social enterprise they are helping to create benefits for people and the planet, rather than generating profits for owners or shareholders.

Maeve Monaghan, CEO of NOW Project and Gauge said “We are delighted to be co-hosting this celebration today which recognises the work both NOW and Employers For Childcare have put into ensuring that our businesses are recognised a good businesses delivering a quality service with a social objective. Gauge is our latest venture and one which I am particularly proud of.. We intend to build capacity within the sector using the model of Social Return on Investment already recognised by Government in England and Scotland as a communication tool between the social enterprise sector and commissioners”.

Since 2005 NOW has been leading the way in Northern Ireland by using the model of Social Return in Investment to highlight the added value returned to the local community by its work. This business will enable others to utilise the model and understand their value while strengthening their message to funders and local commissioners.