We have now moved to 129 Water Lane, Holbeck, LS11 9UD! Get directions.
We’re open Mon-Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 10am–4pm. Opening times
We have now moved to 129 Water Lane, Holbeck, LS11 9UD! Get directions.
We’re open Mon-Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 10am–4pm. Opening times
14th July 2026
‘It is truly inspirational that Seagulls are exploring the concept of Impact Credits linked to Social and Environmental Value, another groundbreaking initiative from this extremely impactful Social Enterprise that punches well above its weight and size.’ David Adair Director of Community Engagement and The PwC UK Foundation.
On May 14th we hosted an event at Seagulls in collaboration with Social Value Engine. The event highlighted the ongoing development of Social Value measurement as well as the work that we at Seagulls have been doing for the last 21 years to impact society, the environment and the local economy of Leeds.
Lots of people said lovely things about us and acknowledged that Seagulls is one of the most successful and progressive social enterprises in Leeds, if not the UK.
Our own social impact report calculates that in 2025 we delivered social, environmental and economic value of over £1m. Last year alone, we rescued a record 464.5 tonnes of waste paint from the LCC recycling centres across the City. Our positive impact is undeniable, and we are not short of testimonials.
However, like every business, we have financial pressures and recent National and Global events have seen the cost of running Seagulls escalate.
The majority of Seagulls employees have previously volunteered with us and many have a difficult backstory. We support our employees and volunteers in every way possible, guided by Maslow’s Theory that unless one’s basic needs are met, contributing to society and work are impossible. We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.
Our 3-pronged mission of People, Planet and Profit remains our mantra, and as Social Enterprise, all the money we earn is reinvested in our purposeful delivery – to reduce reusable materials ending up in landfill or incineration and to save lives through offering gainful employment.
If Seagulls was needed 21 years ago, our relevance and importance has only increased year by year as the gap between the ‘haves and have nots’ gets wider. Our increasing Social, Environmental and Economic return highlights this.
Whilst we continue to see the numbers of customers buying reused paint increase, the gap between revenue and costs is closing rapidly. To respond to increasing need and to grow our impact further, it is urgent that we grow our revenue stream.
We recognise we are not alone as a purpose driven non-profit, and that many similar organisations are in the same place as us. The ability to apply for grant funding remains, but the likelihood of success is reduced because so many good causes are fishing in the same pool.
Over the years, we have asked our supporters and customers to contribute through Crowdfunding campaigns. Whilst these campaigns have been successful and useful for funding specific projects, we need more regular sustainable income and feel that we can’t keep returning to the same people for help.
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 requires public sector commissioners in the UK to consider how the services they commission and procure might improve the economic, social, and environmental well-being of an area.
Commissioners must think about wider community benefits before they start the procurement process and the Act mandates that public bodies address three pillars of well-being when evaluating contracts:
– Economic: Supporting local skills, employment opportunities, and business growth.
– Social: Improving community health, well-being, and equality.
– Environmental: Promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprints.
Now just a minute, Where have we seen those 3 pillars before!!
Since establishing Seagulls, we have been successful in building relationships with a good number of large businesses. We have helped with CSR projects and have run team-building days (free and paid for). We have rarely, however, received financial donations. To us, that is no surprise, as every business needs to see a return on their investment.
Our purpose as a social enterprise is in the delivery of social and environmental value. We have no shareholders and our Board is voluntary. We do not declare a dividend and our report to our members is founded on our Impact.
We feel that, in delivery of the Public Services (Social Value) Act aims, we are much better equipped than a business that has shareholder return and profit generation as its prime purpose. All our resource is dedicated to the delivery of community impact. We do what we do very well – lots of people tell us so.
We are! The volunteers and staff who come through our doors are the beating heart of Seagulls. We have over 21 years of experience working with some of the most marginalised people in our society. We understand the barriers for participation, the chaotic lives of people living on the breadline and the need for confidence and skill building. Through our years of development and work in The Third Sector we know we are best placed to help grow people.
We are not millionaires (financially) but we are Impact Millionaires!
Our idea is to improve the potency of CSR and Corporate delivery of Social and environmental impact
We can help businesses, particularly those tendering for public contracts, to deliver impactful and meaningful social and environmental value in return for financial investment, through the issue of Impact Credits.
Our most robust data is in the amount of waste paint collected. We weigh every load that comes through our doors and convert that, using conventional and accepted proxies and measurements into £’s of environmental value.
After our LCC contract, paid to us for the collection of waste paint from the recycling centres, it costs us £665.23p to process every tonne collected.
The example calculation above illustrates the environmental value of return on an investment of £6k into Seagulls.
In return for the investment of £6k, we will issue 9 Seagulls credits (at 1 Credit per tonne saved). We also can calculate that the £6k investment will deliver £8352 of environmental value, using our social impact report results.
The flattering comments that we receive have all been generated by the action we take and the results we achieve.
We are launching Seagulls Credits because we are convinced that it is the right thing to do. We believe that supporting Seagulls as an organisation that delivers social and environmental impact as our ‘raison d’etre’ will create much more effective value for the City as a whole.
We know that the issue of Seagulls Impact Credits will provoke conversation and discussion. We welcome those discussions and will be hoping for a conversation with LCC to see how we can assist them in the delivery of their social and environmental aims.
The possibilities are endless
Wouldn’t it be great to have a system of Social and Environmental Credits for the City of Leeds?
Could Impact Credits encourage more effective collaboration between the Public, Private and Third Sector in the delivery of real Social and Environmental Value?
Could Impact Credits result in more effective CSR and Corporate Community investment?
Donations help us carry on the valuable work we do and we appreciate any amount that you’re able to give. If you’d like to support us in another way, come roll up your sleeves and consider volunteering.