Social Value with Wealden District Council – a collaborative approach.

We were recently approached by the Tenant Engagement and Communications Officer at Wealden District Council to explore ways to improve access to the local woodlands in Wadhurst.

These beautiful woodlands had suffered years of neglect due to fly-tipping, but thanks to Angela and her dedicated team of volunteers, a restoration effort was well underway. However, steep banks and streams made access challenging, with safety a key concern.

After visiting the site, it became clear that installing steps and temporary bridges would not only support the volunteers in their work but also help create a safe, welcoming space for families, dog walkers, and the wider community to enjoy for years to come.

Recognising the positive impact this project could have, we offered our services free of charge and reached out to local businesses for additional support.

We are the Lot 1 Contractor, undertaking the Responsive, Void and Planned building works across the District. We are Strategic Partners with the Lot 2, 3,4 contractors providing the gas, electrical and commercial heating services alongside us.

In an innovative approach, we all act as Strategic Partners in how we deliver the Social Value element across the region.

Our Social Value Manager logs each partners undertakings, and we meet as a collective of contractors every quarter to review what has been achieved, and plan ahead.  The forward planning may be steered by annual expectations such as work experiences, seasonally inspired activities, or more wider immediate social impacts – such as the cost of living crisis.

We all have particular skills, people, and connections in the wider community within each organisation, so we therefore deliver our Social Value in parallel. 

We deliver a very broad range of Social Value services, which is based on requests from the community inputs to ensure that we are putting our energies where they make the best impacts across the entire district