Willmott Dixon Foundation Annual Review 2015 “An Organisation Committed to Leaving Contents a Positive Legacy Within the Business, the Community and the Construction

Willmott Dixon Foundation Annual Review 2015 “An organisation committed to leaving Contents a positive legacy within the business, the community and the construction

industry as a whole.” Judge’s citation when Willmott Dixon Partnerships won the Excellence in Social Responsibility category at the National Investors in People awards

Foreword Willmott Dixon Foundation was 4 established in 2011 to guide, monitor and collate the community investment activities of the Willmott Dixon Group 5 Our community investment businesses. Its Board members are: in a nutshell

Rick Willmott, Chair of Willmott Dixon Foundation and Group Chief Executive The difference our Alison Symmers, Head of Willmott Dixon Foundation 6 investment makes Jonathon Porritt, Non-Executive Director of Willmott Dixon Holdings and Founder of Forum for the Future Paul Smith, Divisional Chief Executive, Willmott Dixon Assessing our impact Support Services 8 John Waterman, Chief Operating Officer, Willmott Dixon Construction Rob Lambe, Managing Director, Willmott Dixon Energy Services and Re-Thinking 10 Youth unemployment and inspiring Julia Barrett, Director Willmott Dixon Re-Thinking young people Andy Geldard, Head of Communications, Willmott Dixon 12 Social exclusion

14 Community transformation

16 Embedding the culture: Our trainee challenge

18 Our Social Value

20 Fundraising

22 Working with others

2 3 “Being a large company Foreword means we have the scale Our community to do something that investment creates real change.” Rick Willmott, Chair of Willmott Dixon Foundation, in a nutshell Group Chief Executive

Where it came from

COMPANY CONTRIBUTION £’000 Staff time 1,921 Cash donations 236 Gifts-in-kind 109 2,266 LEVERAGE The work that we do with local The past 12 months have once again seen area. Last year we reported that we were Willmott Dixon employees and members beginning to develop ways to understand and Fundraising 189 communities is important to our of our supply chain contributing to local express what difference our community work business and to our people. communities through a huge number is making to people and communities – in Supply chain: and range of projects, organisations and other words the impact it is having. We have Cash donations 29 charities – as well as through their day-to- continued to develop our thinking over the day activities. The work that we do with local year and have worked internally and with Gifts-in-kind 80 communities is important to our business academics and leaders in the field to find and to our people. a way to better express the social value of what we are doing. This will help us to learn This Review provides a taste of some of our TOTAL 2,564 where we are making the biggest difference, community activities over the past year, and ultimately deliver more value to society. many of which are focussed around our key Our progress on this journey, which others £2.27m areas of youth unemployment and inspiring are also grappling with, is outlined on page 6. In 2014 our company invested £2.27m in local communities, young people, community transformation, Where it went up from £1.37m in 2013 and tackling social exclusion. By seeking As well as helping us to better understand out activities in these areas, we believe we the impact of what we do, the existence FOCUS AREAS £’000 £675 can best deliver our goal of leaving lasting and work of the Foundation also underlines Our investment equates to £675 for each of our employees, legacies in the communities where we work. the importance of our community impact Youth unemployment and inspiring compared to the average for LBG1 companies of £173 per to everyone. I am delighted to highlight (See page 10) In 2014 the value of our company investment young people 1,107 the launch in 2014 of the Foundation’s employee in local communities was £2.27m, with 85% Management Trainee Challenge, which Social exclusion (See page 12) 375 of that figure coming from the time our reinforces this message to our future 85% employees contributed. I am very proud that Community transformation (See page 14) 760 managers and directors. 85% of our investment was in the value of our staff time, two-thirds of all our employees have been Other charities (See page 20) 317 up from 82% in 2013 and 71% in 2012 involved in community and charity work in Creating value for our communities is 2014, far higher than the national average. something that we believe passionately in. Other 5

The Willmott Dixon Group has had a strong I look forward to further success in the 59% commitment to local communities since it coming year. Over 59% of our employees were involved in community activity, was founded 163 years ago, and the actions TOTAL 2,564 far higher than the average for Business in the Community and attitudes of our people reflect those companies which is 20% values today.

The remit of the Willmott Dixon Foundation, Our community investment data is collated in accordance with £189k In addition, we raised £189k for charities, up from £122k in 2013 launched in 2011, is to record our work in the standards of LBG1, of which we are a member, and verified Rick Willmott this area and to focus our efforts so that we by Bureau Veritas2. Chair of Willmott Dixon Foundation can deliver the best value to society that £109k Group Chief Executive we can. The Foundation is also responsible 1. LBG is a global network of companies who have developed a well-recognised Our supply chain contributed at least £109k and we think this and robust framework for measuring and benchmarking community investment for research and thought-leadership in this is the tip of the iceberg - we don’t believe that we manage to 2. Bureau Veritas is a professional services company that provides independent capture everything verification and assurance services.

4 5 “We know that it is the benefit that our The difference our One year on – activities can bring to individuals and communities which is the most important investment makes the longer term – so we have been working to find ways to impact demonstrate the impact of what we do.” Alison Symmers, Head of The Willmott Dixon Foundation

The ultimate goal of our We have continued to focus on three showed that the value of the savings to the different – but often interlinked – areas: client of our community activities was over ONE YEAR ON: ONE YEAR ON: community investment is youth unemployment and inspiring young £800,000 – over and above the contract itself. the difference it can make people, social exclusion and community More than boxing A sense of ambition But we know that numbers don’t necessarily transformation (read more about these in to individuals and to society. tell the whole story. The full impact on an Ellie, a single mum, was struggling to find employment the following pages). We ask those who have individual, such as improved self-confidence before she won an apprenticeship with Willmott Dixon. One of the biggest challenges benefited to tell us what impact the activities or aspiration, is not easy to quantify; nor is Despite achieving NVQs in electrical installation she have had. Although not everyone responds, in planning, resourcing and helping a community gain a sense of pride. couldn’t find work. “I couldn’t find a job because I didn’t the results from those that do tell us that delivering community work is to So we have been looking at ways in which we have site experience and I couldn’t get site experience 80% of activities have made a significant can articulate this fuller picture. Our result is because no one would give me a job. I was going round understand where that effort is positive difference. summarised on page 8 and 9 and expressed in in circles”. Although it’s not easy working a full day and best directed in order to deliver We have been working on research projects examples throughout this Review. sending her daughter to childcare before and after school, the greatest impact. We have both on our own and with external partners Ellie says that if she hadn’t won the apprenticeship she In 2014 we also spent time looking into such as Construction Youth Trust, the Social would be doing unskilled work instead. Now, two years been working to develop better ways that businesses like ours can express Value Portal and Business in the Community after joining Willmott Dixon she has her sights set on a the social value that we create through our ways to measure and assess the to find new tools and models for assessing level 3 NVQ in gas fitting. “After that there are options to core activities. In May 2015 we published our When Lower Manor Boxing Club in impact. These show us the value of our go anywhere you want, really.” impact and value of what we do. report ‘Social Value – taking full account of a Sheffield was vandalised and burgled investment in terms of cost saving to society It’s still a tough challenge and company’s true impact’. You can read more in 2012, the damage was so bad that (for example; the reduction in benefits about this on page 18. the club could no longer operate. we haven’t cracked it yet, but we paid as a result of someone getting a job). It was a huge blow to the community. “Thanks to your Construction Youth Trust’s research showed We believe we are one of the first companies ONE YEAR ON: have taken great strides along Willmott Dixon and housing provider that for one of our activities – Sommerfield to set a target based on impact rather than support we are able the way. Acis, stepped in to refurbish the Community Centre (read more on page investment. The last 12 months have seen all Community café goes building, investing over £38,000. to continue to build 17) - a value of £6.51 was achieved for every parts of our business working hard to reach from strength to strength £1 invested; and work with the Social Value our goal, set in 2013, of enhancing the life Since then, over 150 new people have precious memories Portal on one of our Energy Services projects chances of 3,000 young people by the end of come to the gym, with the number for families whose 2015 (see box). of regular members rising from 28 to 70. The gym is now perceived as children are living Transforming the heart of the community and has with life-limiting become a haven for youngsters living 3,000 young Transforming one young life nearby, deterring them from anti-social conditions, ensuring lives Mark, a local young resident was taken on as an behaviour. we deliver on our apprentice at Orchard Village, our development of “For some of the youngsters that come promise to ‘make the former Mardyke estate in Rainham. He has had to our gym, boxing is the only stable We are making good progress towards the target we set ourselves in 2013 to overcome many barriers in his life including being thing in their lives,” says boxing coach the most of short In November 2013, a group of mums from to ‘enhance the life chances of 3,000 young people by 2015’. a part-time carer for his mother while studying for and local resident Steve Barnes who and precious lives’”. his GCSEs and being bullied when he was younger runs the club with Chris Smedley. “In Dee Park in Reading opened a community When we set our target of 3,000, we wanted it to be a challenging one, Kelly Edgington, Charlton Farm for being poor. He went on to land second place that sense, we become much more café. Through the Dee Park Partnership of Children’s Hospice so we have created a system that recognises that interventions have at the national Young Builder of the Year Awards. than just a trainer to them.” Willmott Dixon and Catalyst Housing we donated varying impacts. So, for example, if we are able to give work to a previously £5,000 to help get the café up and running, He says that the apprenticeship gave him a chance One such youngster was an alcoholic unemployed young person, that is transformational and counts as one matching a grant from Reading Borough Council. to transform his life and that of his family. and drug user – through the club he point towards our target of 3,000. However providing an in-depth one-to- “This is my first ever job and I’m really grateful for was able to ‘sort himself out’ and is Recently the café relocated to new premises one interview skills learning event will improve the individual’s life chances the opportunity – to be honest, it has really turned now clean, in full time employment which means that it can offer a larger range of rather than transform them and so counts only as one-third of a point. my life around.” and has a family of his own. food while providing a place to meet, advice on local services and various craft and social clubs. In 2014: Without the upgrade the organisers • We transformed the lives of 495 young people believe the club would not have lasted We are proud to have been able to support • We improved the lives of 1,797 young people and impacts like this would not be the café in also providing work experience and training for local people. All profits from the café • Which means we counted 1,094 young people towards our target possible. We were delighted to have been able to help. go back into the community through events and • To date, we’ve made a difference to the lives of 3,187 young people activities, with a particular focus on young people • This brings our total to 1,546 towards our target of 3,000 and children.

6 7 Assessing our impact – 2014

What we put What we’ve done The impact of our investment 1 into the community 2 in the community 3 activities in the community Number of 5,917 One individual who £6.51 “After discussing my 59% £2,287 training 4,250 11 “My life has was regularly in trouble options with you, I have of staff did provided by the Foundation places created trainee with the police attended social return for decided to stay on at community every £1 invested community to staff Just Giving fundraising through the turned around” the gym we renovated college and get more challenges Mark, age 20, after gaining on one programme projects 4Life Academy and is now studying qualifications” Christine, age completed (Construction Youth Trust data) an apprenticeship to be a doctor 15, a participant on one of our 2013 2014 careers guidance programmes The communities “With Willmott Dixon, 1,632 “It helped the young people overcome“It helped the young 326 1,500 when you put in pre-conceptions – of each otherpeople and of overcome we worked with work people now of our sub-contractors have the hard work you unfamiliar places” pre-conceptions – £2.27m gained learning and skills the value of our investment in communities experience completed in 2014 get recognised” through using the Supply-chain a teacher following attendance of each other and of placements Opening unfamiliar places” Doors work Sam, now an Assistant sustainability school of which by 11 young people at our a teacher after one of placement Build Manager, who we are one of the founders ‘Good to Go’ course joined as a trainee our programmes from a subcontractor Willmott Dixon trades job Difference made on 110 6.4% “It was some of our young management higher than Foundation Our 80% people programmes collates, co-ordinates and trainees in sector average life-changing” of beneficiaries said our 2014 (5%) of ethnic community activities had guides all community “The project brought the Michael, one of the Aspiration minority a significant positive Pride Optimism investment and social value target community together “ participants on a activities employees work experience impact quote from a community Motivation Confidence to enhance the life placement chances of 3,000 leader following our help Employment young people by with renovation of their 25 inmates 449 & training Happiness the end of 2015 community centre of one of Her families £189,000 Education Work skills & Majesty’s received food experience raised by our people Prisons have parcels at a Construction awareness Life skills for good causes now gained time of crisis “It built Before up my a CSCS card After over Contributed to confidence” 10% of our employees have All 15 Through our “With the new facilities Our 1,854 been with us for over 10 years Our values Social Value Amir Hussein, age 16, participants joint venture we can provide a place • Human touch young people mentored 500 Act Review fundraising after a 2 week work at a work we are for youngsters to get off • Relationship focused approach and recognised events for experience placement Bootcamp regenerating the street and learn • Intrapreneurial and direct to focus on the impact that as an example Our FareShare donations Campaigning to put an charities increased their parts of lower new skills” Steve, leader of • Visible our activities can have end to fuel poverty of good have helped 6 people to gain work readiness East London a boxing gym we supported • Preserve our environment practice employment

over Sensory Birmingham AlmostQueens A renovated Our Our 4 year long support to “This event keeps a spirit Our garden Business award for community “reading 12% Prince’s Trust Get Into of community for all that £1bn extra increase in satisfaction created for Charter £1enterprisem centre in buddies” Construction programme live in the area and a community paid early value added by London now scheme has with life overall enabled 51% of the participants a disabled First (result from before and after questions sense of belonging” to our our community has year-round to gain employment and a group contractor helped 120 to 30 young people age 16-18 on our investment subcontractors activities to a community development to sign up use for young children Opening Doors programme) further 25% to go into training/ focus one contract local groups learn to read education or voluntary work worker after a summer fun day • Youth unemployment and inspiring young Our Enhanced the “A huge effect “The course participants 3,312 people 372 sponsorship life chances upon terminally 35m jobs are more conﬁdent about employees community events of the According to UKCG data in July • Social exclusion 55% of 1,546 ill patients applying to college” including garden Spend within 20 mile Birmingham 2012, construction provides • Community young people and their families” Construction Youth Trust make-overs and Christmas 28.5 jobs for every £1million radius – Scape against our Ashley from after our help with one of their transformation community hall market helps Rotherham Hospice output – so for us that’s over £1.25 billion framework target programmes our turnover renovations it to continue 35 million jobs

SensoryOur innovative Careers advice given to Increase in people helped through our involvement “Thank you for helping Over £2.4m £675 approachgarden to 3,700 young people with Community Wood Recycling 39.87 revive our community invested in the value of 400 70 out of 50 – fundingcreated for is enabling 60 hall – we now have quiz 66,000 training – 300 50 12% above average our Volunteer days anew disabled community 40 nights every week which over 3 days 200 Peak full-time staff for Considerate investment groupfacilities to be built 30 100 20 Peak part-time staff Constructors brings people together” hours per employee per employee 60 10 time invested by our people 0 0 scheme scores Slade Garden’s Community Centre apprentices employed in 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

8 9 “The ability to be totally creative with Focus area: the support of Willmott Dixon made Youth unemployment a significant impact on pupils’ engagement, motivation and progress.” Theresa Aanonson, Head teacher following a residential and inspiring young people writing weekend in Canning Town

Despite the fact that that aims to inspire young people about their future careers – with whom we have worked employment has increased since 2010. Making sense of numbers over the last 12 months, the What’s the point of maths? Willmott Dixon Energy Services is helping We continue to employ apprentices directly pupils aged between 11 and 16 understand just that by getting unemployment rate among and to support our subcontractors with their involved in a numeracy programme with Techniquest Glyndwr. those aged between 16 and apprentices. Not only do apprenticeships improve lives directly but they can also Our Energy Services business built a model house which students 25 continues to be high, with provide positive role models locally. In 2014, use to investigate heat loss, work out what insulation is needed and this age group three times Living and working in communities around our Housing and Partnerships divisions were then plan the renovation works. The model house workshop is being more likely to be unemployed. the UK, our people see first-hand the pleased to support Inside Housing Magazine’s offered free to all secondary schools across Wales and is already challenges faced by the under-25s who may campaign which saw us prominently proving a success. The impact of long-term be struggling to find employment, looking for displaying apprentice numbers on our unemployment on young motivation and meaning, or lacking working site hoardings. people can be wide-ranging – role models among family or friends. feelings of hopelessness, panic In 2014, we have worked with young people in colleges, primary and secondary schools, Improving life attacks, poor health and suicidal not only to promote the construction tendencies are not uncommon industry but to also help demonstrate to chances according to the Prince’s Trust children why working hard at school can pay A three-day course run by our Interiors dividends in later life. business took 19 unemployed young Youth Index 2014. And getting people, aged between 18 and 25, Activities ranged from providing work a foothold into employment is experience to secondary school and college through a series of activities aimed We have continued to give help with CV- so much more difficult without students; to delivering workshops on topics at adding to their employability writing, interview skills and work experience Teams from several parts of our business provided Our Birmingham office sponsored local young people including health and safety and energy skills. Included were outdoor and experience of work. to unemployed young people in a bid to an insight to students attending a careers at a special Youth Parliament arranged by Erdington efficiency; and to acting as reading buddies indoor team tasks and workshops provide that important first step into work. with trainees from the business convention in Wolverhampton, organised by local MP Jack Dromey, then Shadow Housing Minister, to primary school children. Our people have MP Emma Reynolds, now shadow Secretary of State at the House of Commons. Run by young people, the 2014 has also seen us deliver a number organised and attended careers events, explaining the importance of for Communities and Local Government. They are UK Youth Parliament provides opportunities for 11-18 of courses, in partnership with other visited schools, conducted site visits and motivation, punctuality, reliability now better able to decide what sort of career they year-olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring organisations, to help increase employability will aim for. about social change. organised competitions. and time keeping. among groups of young people. In An impact assessment showed We’ve worked with organisations including several cases, we have been able to offer improvements in a number of Techniquest in Wales (see below) and SATRO employment after work experience, either areas including life skills, work – an independent Surrey social enterprise directly or through our supply chain. skills, confidence and construction awareness. “The course built up my confidence,” said one attendee. “I Measuring our impact: Work experience boosts didn’t know anybody and I ended up student motivation speaking to everyone.” Working with Tresham College, two members of our Aspiration Boston Close project team in Corby, Northamptonshire, 5 4 Construction ran a series of workshops for over 60 students. This led Life skills 3 Five local young people gained valuable work Part of a two-week ‘bootcamp’ saw us helping 10 2 awareness to 12 different one-week work experience placements in 1 experience at our Home Group North West branch youngsters to turn their lives around and at the bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating. 0 in Cumbria through our Opening Doors programme. same time renovate the communal gardens and entrance hall of St Barnabas Church in Coventry. In order to measure the impact of the placements, Motivation Education students were asked to rate themselves in six areas before and after the work experience. As the diagram Employment and Training “I thoroughly enjoyed my work shows even in the short one-week period, there were positive impacts on all of the six areas; with the highest experience...It’s great to be invited to impacts in motivation, construction awareness and Before extend my time here in this new role.” education. After Laura Douglas, who gained her job as a commercial administrator through our Opening Doors programme

10 11 “We are so grateful for all the Focus area: support that Willmott Dixon has been able to offer us.” Social exclusion Kendra Gray, Strategic Director, Burton Addiction Centre

Social exclusion leads to individuals “Willmott Dixon has been a or groups of people missing out A valuable asset Prison break key partner and the support on what the majority of people When Willmott Dixon Construction Our Head of Health and Safety helped has been fantastic, not only have access to – particularly was looking for a new gate person inmates at HMP Brixton gain their for its Avalon site in Pencoed, Mid CSCS cards – a pre-requisite to working donating money and the vital opportunities to improve their Glamorgan, it was keen to employ on a building site – which will enable computer equipment, but lives. According to Poverty and a local person. They found the right them to gain employment when they candidate in Jonathan Bennetta, a leave prison. also by volunteering time.” Social Exclusion, an organisation former member of the first battalion John Rick, Business Development Manager which carries out research for the Poverty is the most common cause (of of the Royal Regiment of Wales who at FareShare Yorkshire social exclusion), but not the only one: those Economic and Social Research had been unemployed for 18 months with disabilities and older people often find when appointed. “Jonathan is proving “I feel so much happier now Council, almost 12 million people themselves on the fringes of society. Others a valuable asset to us on site,” says FareShare gives that I have a full-time job. in the UK were too poor to engage are excluded because of family circumstances Rhodri Bowen, senior build manager. or personal issues such as drug addiction. more than food in normal social activities in 2013 For Jonathan, the opportunity has And I feel more confident too.” One of the important lessons we have FareShare is a charity which Jonathan, Labourer, whose dyspraxia had prevented other changed his outlook on life: “I’m happy employers from seeing his potential and around 4 million children learned is that the best way to tackle social to be back in full-time work and I feel redistributes surplus food from the and adults regularly did not have exclusion is to work with local organisations much happier and optimistic about the food industry to other charities and enough money for food. Today, which have insight and experience. The future,” he says. community groups. By raising money, first task for our community team in any volunteering at depots, donating We have linked up with the Burton Addiction Centre there are over 1000 food banks in new area is to seek out active local groups laptops and providing our experience providing work placements for people recovering the UK, where there were almost which can help us to focus and amplify the and input to employment programmes from alcohol and drug addiction. This has given we have been able to help them to them valuable work experience and support along none five years ago. And even contributions both we and they can make. the difficult road to recovery. In 2014 our activities have included helping distribute food to community groups though the economic climate out at computer clubs for older people, and at the same time provide work is improving, some areas of the setting up a training and employment experience and training to unemployed steering group; and volunteering at job clubs people. country are still experiencing around the country. We’ve also continued One individual who benefited from our massive unemployment. Alongside to support boxing clubs and drop-in centres involvement is Michael who spent 16 this, according to the Joseph and in 2014 the chosen charity of our weeks on work experience at FareShare Partnerships business was FareShare (see box Rotherham, through a Rotherham Roundtree Foundation, goes poor on page 13) which helps to tackle poverty at Borough Council programme. Michael educational attainment and low the very heart. wanted to get back into work having life expectancy. taken time out to care for a sick child. Our input included providing careers advice and guidance and donating Stronger together laptops to the depot which he used for job searches and applications. In Cumbria where our Partnerships business is carrying out repair and maintenance work for social housing provider Home Group, we have been working with Ewanrigg and Netherton Tenants’ and Residents’ Association. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the association runs a community centre which hosts a variety of clubs every week. Our involvement has included installing a new kitchen, painting and decorating, contributing to some of the weekly activities and organising a trip for local families to Blackpool. Our help has enabled the group to support local people. Resident Sharon Barnes, who runs the community centre, said: “We are delighted with the work that has been carried out – it’s great to see

large companies paying a particular interest in local communities.” We are working with a garden centre in Warrington which supports adults with disabilities giving them worthwhile employment opportunities.

12 13 “We are very grateful for Focus area: all the help given as the Community money saved on repair and maintenance work transformation means more funds available to support children and families who use our services.” Chris Reed from Acorns Children’s Hospice

By employing local firms and people, not “The day was a great success, only does the money stay local, it means that workers have an added pride in what they New facility, the families really enjoyed do. Each of our offices has an established new opportunities the day taking away happy local supply chain and we work hard with our St Ann’s Community Orchard provides memories. It was nice to see specialist contractors to ensure they have the education, training and activities for necessary competencies in areas including local people. Our site team from the families having some fun health and safety and sustainability. St Ann’s, Nottingham, where we are and getting on together.” building housing for people over 55 A strong community is one We seek out and support social enterprises, Ann – Family Support Worker following our support to and those with disabilities, helped to where people of different ages local charities, community groups and National Play Day local businesses. In 2014 our people and build a large straw community building and from different backgrounds our subcontractors have revamped and that will provide a warm, dry space get along well together and feel refurbished community centres and spaces to allow more activities to take place throughout the year. like they belong, where they can with projects ranging from painting and decorating to repairing parks and gardens; We provided our expertise in the take pride in their area and look clearing rubbish from public spaces; to design and construction of the out for others and where they building an outdoor mud kitchen at a foundations which got the project off children’s centre. the ground and we used the project to are likely to have better life provide two weeks’ work experience chances. Strong local businesses, to 16 unemployed trainees. “Through Our Barnet team organised a circus on National Playday for people on the Aberfeldy Estate to encourage the experience and references we local residents to make better use of their local park. We funded a five-day cricket camp for 24 supportive investment and Rotherham children at Whiston Parish Church were able to provide, all of the Cricket Club which meant they could attend for positive relations between the trainees gained employment and are free, gaining in independence and self-confidence community and local institutions now working for various agencies “This is my funniest and as well as wicket keeping skills. are important ingredients in a on construction projects across Helping local best thing in the world – Nottingham,” says senior build companies thriving community manager Stuart Partlow who organised thanks!” and led the project. On First Choice Homes in Oldham A participant at Partnerships (Galatia)’s While the quality, appearance and efficiency when local brickwork subcontractor, Summer Camp of buildings and external spaces are IMS Brickwork, for cash flow important factors in any regeneration, reasons, was unable to buy the “The event and the new-build or maintenance scheme, Many of our activities have centred around quantity of bricks required for a involvement of transforming communities is about children and play. We’ve sponsored children project with us, our Construction much more than creating attractive built to play cricket and football, taken families to Manchester business stepped in Willmott Dixon has had, environments. It means feeding back into the seaside on National Playday, provided to help. Purchasing the bricks and and will continue to the local economy and enhancing summer camps and after school clubs and storing them for IMS enabled them opportunities for different parts of the organised family fun days. to undertake the job, increase have, a huge effect upon community to come together. their turnover and helped them to terminally ill patients resolve their cash flow problems. Our latest project for Acorns Children’s Hospice in At the same time it also increased and their families in Selly Oak Birmingham saw us carrying out a range of repairs and replacements in the centre which Win-win with waste wood local employment in Oldham as a the Rotherham area by provides 24 hour specialist care for children and community. The National Community Wood Recycling Project (NCWRP) collects raising substantial funds their families. waste wood from construction sites and recycles it into new products. for Rotherham Hospice.” With a network of franchises around the UK, it also provides training Ashley Corker, Rotherham Hospice and volunteering opportunities for local people who are struggling to get into employment. Over 20 of our sites currently work with one of NCWRPs franchises “The memories built with our children are priceless. Thanks which sees timber from shuttering and other activities transformed so much” said a parent. Working with Play England and local authorities we take disadvantaged families to the into items such as toolboxes, picture frames, trestles, or bags of seaside for a day. These trips let the children experience kindling. As well as helping individuals to turn their lives around, new play opportunities and develop their social skills - and NCWRP helps us towards our goals of diverting all waste from landfill. allow social services to assess at-risk children and their parents in a non-confrontational setting.

14 15 “We want to ensure that our next Embedding the culture: generation of leaders understand the importance of contributing Our trainee challenge to the community.” Rick Willmott, Chair of The Willmott Dixon Foundation, Group Chief Executive

At Willmott Dixon, we believe our values and our culture are central THIRD PLACE: to the success of our business, and Summerfield contribute to the social value we Community Centre Matthew Mint from Construction Cobham Theo Mason of Prime Place organised a mock refurbished two youth centres for charity Eikon recruitment day for local young people from add in our mainstream activities Richard Lowe of Construction which provides long-term support to socially a deprived area – an event that has been repeated and our community projects. Birmingham organised improvement and economically disadvantaged young people again in 2015. works to Summerfield Community to enable them to overcome challenges and fulfil We want to ensure that our next Centre in Winson Green, a deprived area their potential. generation of leaders understand of the city. In addition to improving the kitchen, meeting room, ‘old library’ the importance of contributing and facade of the building, Richard to the community and how to with colleagues and 12 subcontractors optimise the benefit we can have. worked with the Construction Youth WINNER: Trust to provide work experience for 10 Refurbishment of unemployed young people. In 2014, we introduced the Willmott Dixon In addition to the benefits to the local Foundation Management Trainee Challenge, Slade Gardens community that the improvements where each of our businesses elects one Community Centre will bring, the work experience was of its management trainees to identify, also demonstrated to have increased Natalie Briden of Interiors plan and deliver a community project in the confidence and skills of the young Edward Hindley of Construction Hitchin built raised Dan Topp of Housing Hitchin rejuvenated a community organised the refurbishment of the their area. Competition was fierce, with people who gained work experience. beds and plots for Earthworks, which trains people garden at St Luke’s Centre for young people, some of Slade Gardens Community Centre and with disabilities and learning difficulties. whom have disabilities or learning difficulties. all projects well organised and executed A study by the Construction Youth adventure playground in Stockwell, a SECOND PLACE: resulting in some impressive impacts. Trust, and sponsored by Willmott Dixon, disadvantaged area of London. As well Chicken Shed looked to quantify the social benefits as providing play facilities for children, delivered by the project and calculated the centre provides training for young Community Theatre that the social return on investment was people and teenage parents to help The Chicken Shed Community £6.51 for every £1 invested. them get into work. Theatre, an inclusive theatre company Natalie also used the refurbishment founded in 1974, is used by over 1,000 “Having a skilled group that to give work experience to four children and young people every week. was able to come in and troubled unemployed young people Willmott Dixon provided a donation do the work professionally through LondonYouth. And through twenty-five years ago to help lay the donations and recycling, she secured foundations of its current building which is located in Southgate, London. gave us the peace of mind laptops, a TV, sports equipment, Charlotte Nye of Energy Services organised a charity Matthew Talboys of Partnerships organised a that it would be done to a storage cabinets, crockery and Sam Drew of Housing Barnet organised fun run for Care Farm project which provides farm sponsored event to raise money for charities gardening tools. the refurbishment of the theatre’s two experiences to help vulnerable people develop skills. FareShare and Dekamile with 130 members of staff taking part. high standard. When you are The huts which were previously dressing rooms, which are also used as trying to create a building unusable between October and educational spaces, together with the March, are now bringing in revenue, decoration of an outside space which is that attracts young people, hired out for childrens’ parties, still used for teaching. their parents and visitors, life art classes and as meeting spaces how it looks is important.” for local groups. And now that the buildings can be used in the evenings, Adam Gallacher, head of fundraising for Chicken Shed the centre has successfully applied for grants to deliver more services to the local community.

Jay Williams from Construction Wales and the West Lewis Atkin of Housing Midlands and North refurbished the King Alfred Inn in Somerset, which refurbished the training room at St Basil’s youth was used as a community hub during 2013’s floods. hostel for homeless young people.

16 17 “Your commitment to developing skills in Our Social Value Birmingham through your 4Life Academy is a great example of the broader benefits that construction can bring the community.” Brandon Lewis, Minister of State for Housing and Planning

Emerging from the worst recession in living “TPAS welcomes this report by Willmott Dixon for adding to the debate memory, the acute challenge for central and local government is to deliver critical public on social value and providing useful case studies to reflect upon.” services with fewer resources. Increasing Jenny Osbourne, Chief Executive, TPAS the social value that private sector organisations provide is essential. Does the The introduction of the Social Value Act culture of in 2012 and its Review in 2015 means that A shared vision a company public sector procurers now have a legal Willmott Dixon’s development arm duty to take social value into account impact on how its core business Showing Kris Hopkins, then Housing Minister, how Prime Place is working in a 50:50 when awarding contracts for services. we are leading the way in urban estate regeneration. joint venture with housing provider adds value to society? This was Whilst definitions of social value exist, Poplar HARCA on the regeneration of the application will mean different things Aberfeldy Estate in East London. The a theme we investigated in And can you measure everything to different people and organisations six-phase program will run until 2024, that a company contributes to a local 2014, with our findings depending on their particular challenges delivering more homes and improving community? Social return on investment published in May this year and needs. This raises the question of how the lives of the estate’s residents who models aim to measure the cost savings of social value should be measured. Since currently suffer from one of the highest in our report ‘Social Value – community programme initiatives, but the need vary from area to area, and because levels of deprivation in the UK. measure of a company’s true effectiveness taking full account of a it evolves over time, there isn’t a common in adding social value is not just what Community projects and outreach is company’s social value’. metric or methodology. it does through distinct community an important part of this program, as “For Business in the Our contention is that, in any case, much investment programmes but also in the is employing locally, with 20% of the Developing the “This is a stimulating piece of what constitutes social value cannot way it operates, the way it treats people workforce coming from within the Community social value truly be measured as the impact on and its core business activities. borough. The project also provides supply chain means the long term of work in keeping with individuals and communities is often apprenticeships for local people. Are goods and services procured Flooring specialist Horizontal is one intangible – how do we know if work Project Director Malcolm Ward: difference that a business Willmott Dixon’s leadership locally? Are suppliers treated fairly? Is the of the many firms who have had a experience has increased a young person’s “Willmott Dixon showed a better company committed to supporting and long and happy relationship with creates for the communities position within the UK aspirations? How do we measure increasing understanding of our needs, and more developing their supply chain and their Willmott Dixon: MD Jonathan Bown self-confidence? Or an increased sense of a willingness to get involved in in which it operates, construction sector.” own employees? Do they invest in their has been working with us for 22 years. Martin Hunt, Forum for the Future of community? the regeneration benefits that such a through its existing industry through research and development, Having received help from us with to scheme brings.” and through involvement in cross-sector secure grants for apprentices and in commercial activity, social groups? And, importantly, when they talk training site supervisors, Horizontal programmes and through about their community investment work, recently agreed to train its employees are they focussing on easy light touch to install hygienic wall coverings for its supply/value chain and actions or are they prepared to tackle the a series of school projects. This meant we welcome the recognition harder issues, like offering work experience that flooring and walls could be to ex-offenders? delivered more cost-effectively of that within this report. in one package. The publication draws together our It also provides a useful thoughts on these areas and aims to add Jonathan had been reluctant to contribution to the debate to the debate to take the thinking forward diversify because he feared it would and help make a greater difference to impact on quality but with our about how this value can communities and society. See our website support and help, he has found the and should be recognised for the full document and to download move a positive one: “It has made and acknowledged.” a copy. us more efficient on site because we can use the down-time when Stephanie Hagan, Head of Community Investment, Business in the Community we are waiting for floors to work on the walls.” And other customers are already enquiring about the new service.

18 19 Charities we Fundraising supported in 2014: Acorns Childrens Hospice Age UK Alzheimers Society Bladder Cancer Blind Childrens Society Breast Cancer Care Bounce Back British Heart Foundation Chestnut Tree House Hospice Children in Need Childrens Hospice - South West Clic Sargent We cycled, we ran, we hiked. We Colostomy Association got covered in mud and drenched Construction Youth Trust in ice water. We dug, we wrapped Dekamile and we wore funny jumpers. Demelza Hospice Care for Children FareShare Here’s a small selection of the Friends of Tameside Young Carers hundreds of charity activities Garden House Hospice our people got involved with this Great Ormond Street Hospital Raised over Heartlands Hospice Neonatal Unit year, altogether raising a total Raised £4,000 £1,400 Help for Heroes of £189,000 for good causes. Herts Young Homeless The team handed over 100 food bags and 250 chocolate selection boxes to Rotherham Food Bank and a further 50 Our Housing team raised £1,400 for Shelter helping them provide housing for homeless people. ‘essentials parcels’ to FareShare Yorkshire’s Hope Street premises for its Food in Crisis Appeal. Willmott Dixon also Jennings Rivers Ride handed over a cheque for £4,000 to FareShare to help support its work. John Taylor Hospice Kettering Special Baby Unit Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Lighthouse Foundation Macmillan Cancer Research Raised over Marie Curie £1,000 Meadow House Hospice Movember Site and Supply Chain staff at Bedworth raised £1000 through a charity golf day. Money raised went to a NOAH local branch for Alzheimer’s and Dementia. North Enfield Food Bank Raised over NSPCC Raised £70 Neuro-Critical Care Unit, Addenbrookes £47,950 Hospital Our Ice bucket challenge raised money for Raised over Staff at Cobham raised nearly £50k for Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice. The only facility of its kind in FareShare who save good food destined for PAPYRUS Sussex, the hospice cares for 300 children and young adults with progressive life-limiting conditions and needs waste and transform it into nutritious meals £200 Play England £6,850 each day to provide all its care services. for vulnerable people. Staff from Willmott Dixon Interiors donned a festive Poppy Appeal selection of Christmas Jumpers in aid of Save the Raised over Prostate Cancer UK Children, raising over £200 to pay for potentially life- Riding for the Disabled £65 saving antibiotics to three babies fighting infections. RNIB Money normally spent on Christmas cards was Save the Children donated by one of our small head office teams to Herts Young Homeless – enabling young people Shelter aged 16-24 find safe, secure accommodation. Shooting Stars Foundation Soccer Aid Sports Relief St Basils Homeless Hostel St Kentigerns Hospice St Mary’s Hospice Raised over Raised Stand up to Cancer Raised £650 £180 £400 Teenage Cancer Trust Tenovus Apprentices Melissa Doxey and Lucy Stewart raised Partnerships raised £400 for the MacMillan Coffee Re-Thinking and Energy Services raised £650 Raised money by walking around Burton town centre, part of Morning. Volunteers donated home-baked cakes and The British Red Cross for Cancer Research by taking part in the Pretty £3,445 a challenge to raise £12,000 for Dekamile. The money treats, which were sold throughout the day. The team The Broad Appeal Muddy-Race for Life, a 5km muddy obstacle course will go to build a new training academy in Togo, West also held quizzes, bingo, gave out prizes for the best Unicef run. The money will go towards new research centres Fundraising activities throughout the year, from dress down days to tuck shop sales, raised £3,445 for St Basil’s Africa which will help young people like themselves cakes, held a raffle and donated money to wear green or even provide something as small as glass slides to in Birmingham. Every year St Basil’s helps over 4,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 who are homeless have somewhere to learn and improve their skills in and white clothes, the colours of the charity. YMCA analyse cancer cells. or at risk of homelessness. the world of construction.

20 21 “Willmott Dixon is a great Working with others company to partner with.” Dr Beccy Bowden, CEO of educational charity SATRO

We believe that working in Much of the community Jimmy Stock Brickwork Beech Landscapes Ltd partnership with others – including JP Tiling Contractors Limited work we do is generously JR Electrical (John Rotondi) our clients, our supply chain, local Keith Walton Brickwork Ltd and national organisations – is the supported by our supply Kenny Waste Management chain - we would like to Kestral Interiors Ltd way to maximise the benefits each Kingspan thank them all for their Lawmens party brings: the whole is greater Leaner Logistics than the sum of the parts. contributions. Lees Brothers Ltd Lewis Facilities Ltd A & B Engineering (MSD)Ltd Lindsay Associates Frameworks can enable us to deliver more AB Glass – Windows M & H builders social value at a very local level. Our unique Active Flooring Solutions Ltd Madigan Gill framework agreement with a group of AHS North West Mango local authorities, Scape, for example, All Electric Maurice Blackman Birmingham Allied Scaffolding Ltd McKenna Flooring Ltd allows us to focus on local growth and Working for Birmingham City Council Altek Midlands Environmental Services Ltd Met Excel Ltd community benefits. to repair and maintain 60,000 of its Anglo Office Solutions MJS Decorators Aspect Plumbing & Heating Ltd MSK There are a number of organisations that properties also means committing BCP Northern Allied Property Services we work with at a local and national level, to the authority’s goals and values. Besseges Ltd Northgate among them FareShare (see page 13) and Having been the first contractor to sign Birmingham Drains O’Neill & Brennan Construction Ltd National Community Wood Recycling Project up to the council’s social responsibility Block n Mesh P & L Joinery Subcontractors Ltd charter, 2014 saw us take on 10 more Building Supplies Leatherhead Pathway Incentives (see page 14). We have also supported C S Phillips Prism and worked with the Construction Youth apprentices from the city. Cadgrange Ltd R & H Fencing Trust with research (see page 6) and on a Cara Brickwork R D Projects Ltd number of projects and initiatives in 2014 Cara Construction R&M Williams – Decorating Chasetown Civil Engineering Limited Range Roofing Ltd among them the upgrade of Summerfield City Plumbing RB Electrics Community Centre (see page 17). Concab – Electrical RGB Plastering & Construction Limited Construction Services (Mansfield) Rixonway suppliers Construction Youth Trust RMF “I want to see more employers like Willmott Dixon taking Dale Studios Rockwall Derry Building Services Severn Scaffolding the initiative to invest in apprenticeships that will give DJT Severn Wye Energy Agency people careers that will support our region’s prosperity.” Dortech Architectural Systems Sharpline Decorators Dulux Ltd Sherrington skip hire Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council Dutton International Shire – Sanitary ware eBrit SMK Building & Maintenance Ltd Edmondson Electrical Soltherm EWI Wales Ltd Elite Soundcraft Elliotts Speedy Hire Elmsmere Engineering St Lewis Design Ltd Envirovent Steane Limited Euroshowers (UK) Ltd Stotts Demolition FP Hurley – Mechanical/Plumbing Summerfield Community Centre GP Structural Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd Hillside Flooring Swirlforce HJS Tanbry Construction Ltd Holmes Group Tollhouse Fabrications Hurrells Topfix Interiors – Plastering ICI Travis Perkins Ideal Standard – Sanitary ware Wetherby Building Services Ltd Interiors Europe WG&R Intex Hall and Graham Ltd Whitecroft IWC – Carpentry Woodrose Carpentry Contractors Limited Jackson Build WOW Jarvis Carpentry Wyse Power Jewsons YEC

22 23 Willmott Dixon is one of the UK’s largest privately- owned construction, housing and property groups. Supporting local communities have been part of the way we do business since the company was formed in 1852.

This document is sustainably printed 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% ZERO Waterless Alcohol & Carbon Renewable Recycled Vegetable Waste substitute neutral energy FSC stock oil based to landﬁll free inks