Making Space celebrates national Silver Social Value award. Warrington-based national health and social care charity Making Space is celebrating after achieving the Silver Social Value Quality Mark (SVQM), recognising the positive impact it creates for people, communities and wider society. Headquartered in Warrington, Making Space provides health and social care services across the country, supporting people with a range of care and support needs, including people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia, older people and unpaid carers. The charity has progressed from Bronze to Silver accreditation after an independent assessment found strong evidence that social value is embedded throughout the organisation. Making Space achieved 100% compliance across all mandatory requirements and an overall score of 90.8%, comfortably exceeding the 80% threshold required for the Silver award. The independent audit highlighted Making Space's strong leadership and strategic vision, effective governance, robust evidence and commitment to creating and delivering social value across all levels of the organisation. It also recognised the charity's approach to making social value part of its culture rather than treating it simply as a reporting or data collection exercise. Auditors highlighted the organisation's focus on engaging and educating colleagues so they recognise the wider difference their everyday work makes. Social value at Making Space includes supporting local employment, investing in skills and development, creating volunteering opportunities, strengthening community partnerships, promoting equality and inclusion, supporting local economies and supply chains and reducing environmental impact. Rachel Peacock, CEO of Making Space, said: "We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Silver Social Value Quality Mark. Making Space has called Warrington home for many years, but the impact created by our colleagues and volunteers reaches communities across the country. "As a social care charity, making a positive difference is at the heart of why we exist. That goes beyond the care and support we provide. It is also about being a responsible employer, creating opportunities, investing in communities, working collaboratively with our partners and considering the wider social and environmental impact of the decisions we make. "What makes this recognition particularly important is that it shows social value is becoming embedded throughout Making Space. This achievement belongs to our colleagues and volunteers and everyone who works alongside us to improve lives and strengthen communities. "Moving from Bronze to Silver is a significant milestone and one we are extremely proud of, but we are already looking ahead at how we can build on this progress as we work towards Gold." The assessment included an extensive review of evidence alongside consultations with Making Space colleagues and external stakeholders, including commissioners. Among its strongest areas were its engagement with its wider network of stakeholders, partners, suppliers and communities, which scored 93.8%, and its social value reporting, which scored 93.3%. The audit also praised the work of Making Space's dedicated Social Value team and network of Social Value Champions, who are helping colleagues understand, capture and celebrate the difference being made through services and activities across the organisation. Gareth Davies, Associate Director of Development and Social Value Lead at Making Space, said: "Achieving the Social Value Quality Mark Silver Award is a fantastic achievement for Making Space and recognition of the commitment, passion and values demonstrated by colleagues across the organisation every day. "What makes this award particularly meaningful is that it acknowledges social value as something that is truly embedded throughout the organisation, not simply a reporting requirement or contractual obligation. "This achievement belongs to every colleague, volunteer, partner and stakeholder who contributes to making a positive difference. It reflects a shared commitment to improving lives, strengthening communities and demonstrating the wider value our services create every day. "Silver is a significant milestone, but the journey continues as we strive to create even greater impact and work towards Gold accreditation in the future." Huw Evans, Director of Quality at Social Value Quality Mark CIC, said: "Achieving the Silver Social Value Quality Mark is a significant accomplishment - reflecting the lasting impact that Making Space is creating in the care and mental health space. It provides independent assurance that the charity is genuinely listening to the needs of its communities and is linking its delivery tightly to feedback. Congratulations to the whole team on demonstrating positive sector leadership and long-term legacy - we look forward to supporting the next stages of their ambitious journey." The independent audit concluded that the passion, drive and energy demonstrated across Making Space was evident throughout its stakeholder interviews and evidence review. It described the progress made since Bronze as deserving "immense applause" and said the charity is well positioned for future progression to the Gold standard. Making Space will now build on the achievement by continuing to improve how it captures and demonstrates its impact, strengthening engagement with communities, colleagues, volunteers, partners and suppliers and further embedding social value across its services.

Greater Manchester Mental Health and Making Space launch new community rehabilitation service. A new partnership between national social care charity Making Space and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) will help people with ongoing mental health needs move from hospital care to more independent living within their local communities. The organisations are opening a new mental health rehabilitation service on 1 December 2026, providing 11 self-contained apartments across two Greater Manchester locations: Willow lodge in Urmston, Trafford and Wentworth House in Eccles, Salford. The service is designed for adults who no longer need mental health inpatient care but would benefit from additional rehabilitation and support before moving into longer-term independent accommodation. GMMH has secured and invested £8.4 million to develop the 11 apartments at Willow Lodge and Wentworth House and establish the new community rehabilitation service. Wentworth House in Eccles, Salford Willow lodge in Urmston, Trafford The development follows a public consultation carried out by GMMH earlier this year (March 2026) on plans to modernise its rehabilitation services. Feedback from service users, carers, colleagues, local residents, voluntary groups and elected representatives helped shape the new model of care. Many respondents supported a greater focus on helping people recover and regain skills in real homes and neighbourhoods, while questions were also raised about staffing, clinical oversight and safety. These issues have been considered in the development of the new service. To give local people an opportunity to find out more, open days will be held on Thursday 5 November 2026: * Wentworth House, 8 Westminster Road, Monton, Eccles, Salford, M30 9HF, 10am to 12 noon * Willow Lodge (formerly Park House), 59 Bowers Avenue, Urmston, Trafford, M41 5TQ, 1pm to 3pm People using the service are expected to stay for around 12 months while working towards individual recovery goals. Support will be tailored to each person's needs and may include developing everyday living skills, managing finances, accessing education or employment opportunities, building confidence and reconnecting with local communities. Making Space will provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, working alongside GMMH's specialist Home Engagement and Rehabilitation Team (HEART). A key feature of the new service is that HEART will be based at both locations, bringing specialist NHS clinical and rehabilitation expertise together with Making Space's day-to-day support under one roof. HEART, a multidisciplinary NHS team including doctors, nurses, psychologists and occupational therapists will work closely with Making Space colleagues to provide joined-up, personalised rehabilitation and help people develop the skills and confidence needed for independent living. GMMH will retain responsibility for clinical leadership, governance and quality standards, while Making Space will provide daily rehabilitation and social care support. Wentworth House in Eccles, Salford Michelle Bennett, Service Manager at GMMH, said: "Gmmh is proud to be working with Making Space to support people as they take the next step in their recovery. "Gmmh is grateful to everyone who took part in its consultation and shared their views on the future of rehabilitation services. Their feedback has helped shape the development of this new model of care. "Moving on from hospital can be challenging. With the right support, people can build confidence, develop everyday skills and become more independent in real homes. "Through an £8.4 million investment, we've been able to create modern, purpose-designed rehabilitation accommodation that supports people closer to home and within their local communities." "This new service combines high-quality, specialist NHS care with personalised social care support in a community setting, helping people build confidence, regain independence and prepare for the future." Willow lodge in Urmston, Trafford Keri Smith, Chief of Business Development and Strategy at Making Space, said: "Gmmh is delighted to be working with Greater Manchester Mental Health on this new service, bringing together its experience in person-centred social care with GMMH's specialist clinical expertise. "Moving on from hospital can be a significant step in someone's recovery. Having the right support to rebuild confidence, develop everyday skills and reconnect with the community can make a real difference. "Our teams will work closely with GMMH colleagues to provide personalised support focused on each person's strengths, aspirations and recovery goals. We're looking forward to welcoming the first people to the service, getting to know the communities around both locations and developing a positive partnership that supports people to move towards greater independence." Willow Lodge will bring the former Park House building back into use after standing empty for several years. Once open, it will provide seven self-contained apartments for people who are ready to continue their recovery outside hospital. Residents will have their own accommodation, personalised support plans and regularly reviewed risk assessments. The building was previously used as a 14-bed hospital and will now accommodate just seven residents. Off-street parking will also be available. Making Space and GMMH are committed to being good neighbours and will continue to work closely with local residents and stakeholders to provide information, answer questions and address concerns. Making Space is currently recruiting for a range of roles across both services, including Senior Recovery Workers, Recovery Support Workers, waking night staff and bank workers. More information is available at www.makingspace.co.uk/main/work-for-Gmmh.