A TORFAEN social landlord has helped over 600 unemployed people find work, and access training and on-the-job experience, as well as volunteer schemes.

In total, 614 people have received help from Cwmbran’s Bron Afon Community Housing, and experts from the charity Housing Associations Charitable Trust (HACT) estimate this to be worth ‘£2million in social value’.

The charity is able to assess the social value of an organisation, which categorises the impact it has on its society at large.

Duncan Forbes, chief executive of Bron Afon, said: “We are set up to help people right from our weekly job club where they can get help with CVs through to placements that lead to qualifications.

“Earlier this year we set up our That Works training academy and 75 out of 128 people who took part went on to find jobs.

“The rest have become more confident at applying for work thanks to that experience.”

HACT worked out Bron Afon’s social value as £2,079,100, and said the figure was calculated through a series of interviews.

The result of this process, using an algorithm, allows the charity to monetise the social value of the organisation.

The social value of Bron Afon has included the work it does in the community, including its volunteer schemes.

“Volunteering is an incredible thing to do and we have lots of volunteers taking part in our many community projects,” added Mr Forbes.

“The change in them is easy to see. The experience of getting back into a routine and working in a team is giving them essential skills for work.

“It’s a challenge putting a value or an outcome on the work that you do. HACT is used by many landlords in the UK to be able to show the powerful impact of the work they do in the community alongside providing homes.

”We are very proud to be able to show that in the last year, the period running from 2015 to 201, 614 unemployed people are either back in work are in a better position to start employment thanks to being involved with our projects.”