While refurbishing Darley House with external overcladding and window replacements, Lovell has also focused on creating real work opportunities for local residents. In collaboration with Social Value Officers Karen Richards and Michael Wragg, as well as the Employment & Skills team, Lovell identified six suitable candidates from local educational facilities for hands-on work experience.
Lovell’s approach to supporting young people through work placements has resulted in the creation of 23 placements (16+) across various ongoing projects. These placements, combined with extensive community engagement, have helped young people and local residents develop crucial skills that enhance their employment prospects.
Kelly Truman, Regional Training Manager at Lovell, expressed her pride in the initiative: “We’ve worked closely with the Social Value and Think Sandwell teams for many years, and it’s always rewarding to support the aspirations and achievements of young people. Our aim is to ensure they meet their career goals in construction, while positively influencing the local economy.”
In addition to employment and skills development, Lovell has reached out to local charities, including the Black Country Women’s Refuge, during their work at Lion Farm Estate. Recognising the refuge’s needs, Lovell supported their residents by providing essential items such as toiletries, clothing, and toys through a series of fundraisers.
When the refuge expressed a desire to start growing plants and vegetables in their garden, Lovell took the initiative to design and build an eco-friendly greenhouse using recycled plastic bottles. This not only provided the refuge with a sustainable solution but also helped repurpose materials, reflecting Lovell’s commitment to recycling and sustainability.
From site visits and interactive workshops to employability skills sessions and health and safety talks, Lovell has offered a variety of opportunities to the local community. Their social value approach includes:
Kelly Truman further added: “It’s not just about working with schools and supporting younger students. We’ve also engaged older residents who want to develop construction-related skills, helping them make positive strides toward employment.”
Lovell’s commitment to social value on the Darley House and Lion Farm projects highlights the positive impact a contractor can have on local communities, going beyond bricks and mortar to build better futures for Sandwell’s residents.
