"Abbey and Phil have been great and it’s clear that they have great integrity. I have really enjoyed getting to know [them] whilst they have been working on the Goods Station. Their enthusiasm is infectious."
Jessica Ashworth, Development Manager @ Vita Group
Consultant
Abbey Jones
Abbey Jones is a Consultant at RealWorth, specialising in community engagement and valuing the social impact of people and place.
Following a career in the world of corporate law, Abbey moved into social value to make a difference to people and communities. Since joining RealWorth, Abbey has worked with clients across the spectrum of the built environment to embed social value at every stage of a development, from the strategy and stakeholder engagement stage to measurement and evaluation, including Social Return on Investment analysis. Abbey has a personal interest in social impact driven by community engagement and collaboration across the public, private and third sector, and works to implement this across all of her projects.
In her free time, Abbey contributes to building her own community by volunteering as a Project Leader at Foodcycle, providing free meals to local residents. She is also a Co-Chair of Greater Manchester B Local, where she works with other pro-social businesses to drive an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy in the North West. Most recently, Abbey has been appointed to the Liverpool City Region Policy Panel for Women’s Equity where she will review the impact of various policies on women and girls across the Liverpool City Region.
My projects
a-r-c-s: Evaluating the Impact of Socially Conscious Retail in Coal Drops Yard
In 2024, a-r-c-s commissioned RealWorth to evaluate the social impact of its activities over a 12-month period using the Social Return on Investment approach. The study assessed how a-r-c-s distinctive model – flexible turnover-based rents, community driven programming, and free event space – supports inclusive growth and cultural participation in King’s Cross.
Case study
2-3 Degrees: Measuring the Value of The Crown Estate Youth Panel
2-3 Degrees is a social enterprise that aims to inspire and equip young people with personal development skills needed to fulfil their potential. In partnership with The Crown Estate (TCE), 2-3 Degrees set up a Youth Panel to provide a youth voice on regeneration projects across London and within the Crown Estate properties.
RealWorth was commissioned to evaluate and quantify the social value generated by the young people as a result of their experience on the Panel. The study assessed the programme’s capability to deliver social value from the youth participant’s perspective, including growth in confidence, skills, career aspirations and knowledge, with the benefits expressed both quantitatively through case studies and qualitatively through a social return on investment (SROI) value.
Case study
The Social Hub: Evaluating the Impact of a Cross-European Portfolio of Mixed-Use Hotels
The Social Hub (TSH) brand provides hotels, student accommodation and co-working spaces, creating a more connected community. Adding to 21 locations around Europe, TSH wants to improve its social, economic and environmental performance across Europe and has developed plans to upgrade and expand its sites.
To support the assessment of current sites and future plans, TSH contacted RealWorth to demonstrate the social value of different sites across Europe, RealWorth measured and analysed the social change caused by projects and programmes using Social Return On Investment (SROI).
This analysis assisted the TSH sites in demonstrating the benefits of existing sites to its stakeholders and host cities by creating a range of social impact activities. The analysis indicated that the planned improvements could enhance the social value that these locations have brought to their surrounding areas. To date, RealWorth have worked with TSH across multiple sites in Spain, the Netherlands and Scotland.
Case study