We work at the intersection
of the private, public and
charity sectors, delivering
social value initiatives that
address society’s most
pressing challenges.
About us
Spectra was built on the principles of restorative practice, helping young people build strong relationships, resolve conflict, and repair harm when it occurs
Our team brings this ethos into everything we do. With backgrounds spanning law, technology, marketing, education, and local government leadership, we combine diverse expertise with a shared commitment: creating opportunities and driving lasting change for young people and communities.
Creating opportunities and driving lasting change for young people and communities.
We are a Certified B Corporation
As a certified B Corp, we’re part of a global community of nearly 10,000 businesses meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance. Together, we’re helping to lead a worldwide movement for an economy that is inclusive, equitable, and regenerative.
Learn more about B Corps and the organisations involved at bcorporation.net
Meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
Our
two core offerings
Spectra Public
We deliver end-to-end programmes for central and local government. From audience and stakeholder insight to recruitment, frontline service delivery, promotion, and impact reporting, we manage the full journey from concept to design to results.
Spectra Studio
We provide consultancy for organisations that want to embed purpose into their work. Our services include ESG strategy and policy development. Project delivery and insight analysis, helping businesses turn intent into measurable social value.
services
What is social value?
Social value is about ensuring that public spending and private investment create benefits beyond the immediate service delivered. It’s a commitment to embedding opportunities for young people, building skills, supporting fair work, and strengthening communities.
‘One in a Million’ is our flagship social value initiative supported by Lloyds Banking Group, the Department for Education and the Cabinet Office ensuring that for every £1 million in public contracts, one meaningful opportunity is created for a young person
Visit the One in a Million microsite →
Engagement Activities
Sector-Specific Roundtables
Targeted discussions with industries linked to regional strengths (e.g. Health & Social Care, Logistics, Green Tech) to identify sector-led opportunities.
Opportunity Mapping Sessions
Collaborative workshops to map entry-level roles, wraparound support, and clear place-based career pathways shaped to local labour market needs.
Kick-off Discovery Workshops
Bringing together senior leaders from HR, Social Value, EDI and Procurement to define shared goals, responsibilities, and success measures across participating employers.
Listening Labs
Interactive sessions with those that have lived-experience of disadvantage, mentors, coaches and support providers — uncovering barriers and support needs.
Systems thinking approach
Interconnected Stakeholder Analysis
Mapping the relationships between employers, support services, education providers and care leavers to reveal leverage points and feedback loops that can drive long-term change.
Ripple Effect Assessment
Assessing how targeted interventions can trigger positive chain reactions improving individual outcomes, strengthening communities and shifting organisational culture.
Root Cause Investigation
Going beyond surface barriers to uncover the cultural, structural and procedural issues within organisations that block successful transitions.
Our collab-
orators
Independence
In 2022, we executive produced Independence, a powerful debut feature from director Karl Jackson.
The film follows Amba, played by Joanna Rutagambwa, who at 18 leaves the care system and moves into her first home alone — confronting the harsh “care cliff” of sudden independence.
Produced by Karl Jackson’s Mirror Door and executive produced by Spectra’s Matthew Gordon alongside Aaliah Simpson at the British Film Institute, Independence shines a stark light on the realities facing young people leaving care.
Resilient Spirit Tour
Inspired by Ken Pryce’s Endless Pressure, this two-day tour celebrates the struggles, achievements, and contributions of the Windrush community. Through four strands, it tells a story of resilience and diversity.
The tour concludes with the unveiling of portraits of Stuart Hall and Ian Gordon by US artist Imar Lyman [Hutchins], highlighting the shared struggles of Black Americans and Windrush descendants. A tribute to resilience, unity, and the enduring spirit of Windrush.
Join us on this transformative journey as we celebrate the Windrush community’s enduring strength and indomitable spirit.
Empire Reflecting Back
We welcomed award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera back to Wolverhampton for a town hall event exploring the legacies of empire in modern Britain.
Drawing on his book Empireland and Channel 4 series Empire State of Mind, Sathnam joined a panel of leading thinkers to debate how imperialism continues to shape society. The event placed particular focus on the experiences and reflections of Wolverhampton’s Black and Asian communities.
Inclusive Employment Summit
Our Inclusive Employment Summit brought together policymakers, business leaders, and care-experienced young people for the launch of Spectra’s first standalone Inclusive
Employment Toolkit — a practical guide to help organisations recruit and support care leavers and other under-served communities. Hosted by TV presenter Anna Richardson, the Summit featured contributions from Dame Sharon White, Sir Peter Bazalgette, and Amazon’s EU Workforce Director Graham Allison.
Developed in partnership with the Department for Education, the Toolkit is available on the Care Leaver Covenant website. It includes insights and practical advice from the John Lewis Partnership, Sky, Amazon, GMI Construction, and the UK Civil Service.
Empathy Summit
The Empathy Summit challenged leaders in education and business to show greater empathy toward care leavers — ensuring vulnerable young people are given the opportunities to build healthy, successful lives.
Inspired by Sir Peter Bazalgette’s, The Empathy Instinct, the event featured powerful contributions from poet and author Lemn Sissay MBE, Julie Towers (Managing Director of Penna), and many other leading voices.
Through music, film, poetry, and panel discussions, the Summit explored pioneering diversity and inclusion initiatives from universities, employers, and public bodies, alongside government perspectives on shaping future policy for care leavers.
NBHD Purpose Playbook
We created a ‘Purpose Playbook’ with Nike – the first of its kind – to help build purpose into all sneaker related activations.
Spectra created Nike’s first-ever Purpose Playbook a universal planning tool to embed purpose into every sneaker-related activation. Nike wanted to ensure that as sneaker culture continues to grow, purpose sits at the heart of campaigns and community activity. We worked with Nike to design the Playbook, gathering insights and contributions that now guide teams across EMEA.
- Contributions from 6 leading thinkers spanning academia, sustainability, politics, governance and fashion.
- Input from 6 cultural influencers across London, Paris and Berlin.
- Playbook rolled out to Nike communications teams in the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Italy.
Care Leavers Wanted
We deliver central government’s major care leaver support programme, the Care Leaver Covenant (funded by the Dept. for Education).
The Department for Education (DfE) is the government department responsible for children’s social care, which includes policy relating to children-in-care and ‘care leavers’ (young people who’ve spent time in the care).
Since 2018, Spectra has delivered the government’s flagship programme for Care Leavers, funded by the Department for Education. The Covenant connects businesses, public services, and charities to create real opportunities for young people leaving care — helping them step into independent, meaningful adult lives.
- 590+ organisations signed, from ITV to Thames Water to Liverpool FC Foundation
- Thousands of opportunities created nationwide.
- 7,500+ young people registered on the Covenant portal, receiving regular support and opportunities.
We are tackling digital poverty with Sky — providing free equipment, skills and entertainment to vulnerable young people across the country.We are tackling digital poverty with Sky — providing free equipment, skills and entertainment to vulnerable young people across the country.
We partnered with Sky to provide free equipment, broadband, and skills training to young people leaving care — tackling digital poverty and isolation head-on.
Spectra’s role has been to work with local government to identify young people for the programme and guide them through the 12–18-month journey, ensuring they get the most from their devices and interactions with Sky.
- Partnering with local authorities nationwide, from Dorset to Gateshead.
- 150 care leavers received brand-new laptops and 18 months of free Sky Broadband in Year 1.
- Access to exclusive Sky events and opportunities to build confidence and skills.
“Care leavers bring resilience, talent and real value.”
Care leavers bring resilience, talent and real value to the workplace yet too often face barriers that limit their potential. With government spending over £350bn a year on procurement, we have a powerful opportunity to change that.
I encourage all strategic suppliers to sign the Care Leaver Covenant and help open doors for young people at a critical moment in their lives
UK Government Chief Commercial Officer
Our work in numbers
15000+
Young people registered to our bespoke opportunities hub
4300+
Young people accessing financial aid and gym, driving lessons, retail discounts through our partners
44 milllions +
Audience for National Care Leavers Week ‘24 awareness campaign on Channel 4
What our collaborators say
Get in touch!
West Midlands
The Chubb Buildings 38-39 Fryer ST, WV1 1HT
Join Us!
careers@spectraconnect.co.uk
