Social Value Policy

Last updated: October 2026

At Poppy Design Studio, we believe a business can make a positive difference beyond the services it provides.

For us, social value is about supporting people, creating opportunities, sharing knowledge and contributing positively to the communities in which we live and work.

This policy explains our approach to social value and the principles that guide the way we operate.

Who we are

Poppy Design Studio & Marketing Ltd, trading as Poppy Design Studio, provides:

• Website design
  • Website hosting
  • Email services
  • Domain registration and management
  • Graphic design

We work with businesses and organisations across the UK, while maintaining strong connections with our local business community in Northamptonshire.

Our approach to social value

Our approach is centred around three areas:

People • Opportunity • Community

We want to use our experience, skills and position as a business to make a practical difference where we reasonably can.

This means supporting young people and those developing their careers, sharing our knowledge with other businesses and contributing to the communities around us.

People

People are at the heart of our business.

We aim to create a supportive, respectful and inclusive working environment for the people who work with Poppy Design Studio.

We believe that different experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking make businesses stronger.

Our approach includes:

• Treating people fairly and with respect
  • Providing opportunities to learn and develop
  • Supporting flexible and inclusive ways of working where possible
  • Encouraging professional development within our team
  • Creating opportunities for people to develop practical skills and experience
  • Working respectfully with clients, suppliers, partners and our wider business community

We are also committed to considering how we can remove unnecessary barriers to opportunity within our own business.

Supporting young people

Supporting young people into employment and helping them understand the world of work has been an important part of Poppy Design Studio for many years.

We have previously worked with schools, colleges and organisations to provide work experience, placements, careers engagement, mentoring and practical insight into creative and digital careers.

This has included engagement with schools and colleges in Northamptonshire and beyond, as well as organisations supporting young people into employment.

Where our resources and workload allow, we aim to continue supporting opportunities such as:

• Work experience
  • Student placements
  • Careers events
  • Talks and workshops
  • Mentoring
  • Practical insight into website and graphic design careers
  • Advice for young people considering self-employment or creative careers

We believe real-world experience and honest conversations about work can make a meaningful difference to someone at the beginning of their career.

Skills and knowledge

As a business, one of the most useful things we can share is our experience.

We believe knowledge should not always sit behind a price tag.

Where appropriate, we share practical advice and knowledge through:

• Business networking
  • Talks and presentations
  • Workshops and training
  • Online content and resources
  • One-to-one conversations
  • Community and business events

Our aim is to help people and businesses make better-informed decisions, whether or not they ultimately become a Poppy Design Studio client.

Supporting small businesses

As a small business ourselves, we understand many of the challenges involved in running one.

We believe strong local and small-business communities are built through collaboration rather than simply competition.

We therefore aim to:

• Support and promote other small businesses where appropriate
  • Share useful knowledge and experience
  • Make introductions and connections where they may genuinely help
  • Participate in business communities and events
  • Encourage collaboration between local businesses
  • Support start-ups and newer businesses with practical advice where we can

Our community

Poppy Design Studio has longstanding roots in Northamptonshire, and we believe businesses have an important role to play within the communities around them.

Over the years, members of our team have supported charities, community organisations, schools, colleges, business groups and local initiatives through a combination of time, expertise, fundraising and practical support.

We will continue to look for realistic opportunities to contribute to our community where our skills and resources can make a useful difference.

This may include:

• Supporting charities and community organisations
  • Providing professional expertise or practical help
  • Participating in fundraising activities
  • Supporting community events
  • Connecting organisations with people or businesses who may be able to help
  • Giving time to worthwhile local initiatives

We believe smaller, practical contributions can be just as valuable as larger initiatives.

Responsible business

Social value also influences how we conduct ourselves as a business.

We aim to operate with:

Transparency – being clear about what we provide, what things cost and what our clients genuinely need.

Honesty – giving straightforward advice, including when we believe a client does not need to spend money with us.

Security – taking our responsibility for our clients’ websites, information and digital services seriously.

We believe responsible business means building relationships for the long term rather than focusing only on individual sales.

Working with suppliers and partners

Where reasonably practicable, we want the businesses and people we work with to reflect similar standards of professionalism, fairness and responsible business practice.

We value suppliers and partners who treat people properly, operate ethically and take their responsibilities seriously.

Keeping our commitments realistic

We want this policy to reflect what we actually do rather than simply make impressive statements.

Our social-value activities will naturally change over time depending on our resources, opportunities and the needs of the communities around us.

We will therefore review this policy periodically and update it as our activities develop.

Responsibility for this policy

Overall responsibility for this policy sits with:

Marie Baker
Managing Director
Poppy Design Studio & Marketing Ltd

Contact us

If you have a question about this Social Value Policy or would like to speak to us about a community, education or social-value opportunity, please contact:

Poppy Design Studio & Marketing Ltd
Hazelrigg House
33 Mare Fair
Northampton
NN1 1SR

Email: hello@poppydesignstudio.com
Telephone: 0800 321 3843

© Poppy Design Studio & Marketing Ltd. All rights reserved.