Willmott Dixon Interiors transformation of the Department of Health’s offices in central Leeds has won a 2020 Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Award.
This award has been achieved in recognition of the fantastic work the team have done for the local community, protection for the environment as well as health and safety measures.
The project has reached over £9m in social return on investment (SROI) in local spend, local labour and added social value. The project proudly generated £1m added social value in support of opportunities for the local community such as creating job opportunities, work experience placements, and delivering employability skills training to students and vulnerable young people and adults.
This also included partnering up with Novus, a social enterprise delivering learning and skills to 60,000 adults and young people in prisons and young offender institutions, where Willmott Dixon Interiors (WDI) launched a 5-week employability programme to help rehabilitate ex-offenders. This saw WDI and supply chain partners deliver workshops at HMP Lindholme and HMP Humber to improve employment prospects of ex-offenders on release from custody.
“The activity provided hope and raised inspiration and awareness. The programme exceeded expectations and had a positive impact on learners and tutors. This was down to the passion, enthusiasm and commitment from Andrew Dunkin and Brian Coles” – Novus
Above: Andrew Dunkin, Construction manager and Mahroof Anwar Social Value manager deliver workshops at HMP Lindholme and HMP Humber
The team also dedicated their time to deliver two residential training courses in Chester for vulnerable young people who were NEET (not in education, employment or training). The 3-day experiential course designed by WDI in partnership with Trafford Hall National Communities Resources Centre, provided these young people with practical support to improve their confidence, self-esteem and employability skills through team building, communication and construction skills. This course helped to transform the life chances of 36 young people.
Above: Team photo of the Group having completed the Good To Go Course.
Social Impact Achievements:
- More Local People into employment – 4 opportunities created
- Improved staff wellbeing initiatives – 1,518 hours
- More opportunities for vulnerable people over 24 – 6,208 hours
- Improved employability for young people under 24- 3,128 hours
- Improved skills for local people – 32 hours
- Provided 1000 reusable cups – stopping disposable cups going to landfill
Andrew Dunkin, construction manager, Willmott Dixon Interiors said ‘Winning a National Site Award is an exceptional achievement, and recognises only the best sites that have made the greatest contribution towards improving the image of construction across our industry and the Quarry House project team have shown a great example of doing just that with a focus on community investment, environmental enhancement, safety, workforce, and appearance’.
Brian Cole, senior build manager added, ‘this also signifies our company ethos of purpose beyond profit, with the aim to always make a real and lasting difference’
Willmott Dixon Interiors are delivering Cat B fit-out and refurbishment covering 64,583 square feet of commercial space at Quarry House. Designed by architects within WDI, it provides a collaborative working environment for up to 800 employees at the Department of Health and Social Care.
Above: Phase 1 completion of office space at Quarry House, Leeds where the team are currently completing phase 2
* SROI is a method for measuring values that are not traditionally reflected in financial statements, including social, economic and environmental factors. They can identify how effectively a company uses its capital and other resources to create value for the community. Willmott Dixon measurement of its SROI on phase one includes the use of local labour and local spend alongside the other community related activities mentioned.