Community Engagement Project of the Year

Eco Warriors in Hertfordshire Primary Schools
Artelia

Artelia's Eco Warriors initiative, launched in 2023 and now in its third year, showcases exemplary community engagement, client and contractor partnerships through its outreach to local schools. This competition for Hertfordshire Primary Schools inspires pupils to design an Eco-School for 2030, raising awareness of sustainable practices and career opportunities in design, engineering, and construction. With enthusiastic involvement from Hertfordshire County Council and contractors TClarke and Oakray, students present creative, sustainable designs, highlighting the importance of ongoing sustainability improvements works at their schools. The initiative successfully increases awareness, engages school communities, and fosters a legacy of sustainability-conscious young learners.

M1/M62 CSB social impact
Balfour Beatty and National Highways

Directly employing 33% local staff on the project – from a 30 strong team. Employing five apprentices – working 122 weeks. Spending £5.7m with local micro, small and medium sized enterprises. Volunteering over 50 hours for local community projects.  Engaging with 420 local students with 49 hours volunteered. Raising over £2,275 for three local charities with the Leeds Big Sleep Out Already excelling all of this targets on our second phase.

M6 J21a — J26 Scheme
Costain

Costain's SMP Alliance team excelled in delivering the M6 junctions 21a and 26 upgrade by prioritising community impact. Over two years, they supported local organisations, shared engineering expertise and engaged in educational initiatives. They hosted work experience placements, volunteered at school events and mentored students. Their social value contributions included improving local facilities, donating to charities and enhancing community spaces. Notable projects included the "Bee Project" with Millbrook Primary School and a sustainable irrigation system at Cleavley Community Forest Garden. An ambitious aftercare strategy ensures the project's legacy aligns with National Highways' commitment to delivering benefits beyond project completion.

York Street Station: A platform for local community engagement
GRAHAM

The York Street Station Project Team excelled in community engagement and outreach during the duration of the project. The team demonstrated a clear understanding of community needs, integrating socially responsible construction as a core value. The team actively addressed community concerns, fostered effective liaison and exceeded delivery expectations through innovative and inclusive partnerships benefitting those most at disadvantage. The project team supported a range of local projects and fostered meaningful, sustainable connections linking individuals and the wider community to the construction industry. For all these reasons, we believe the team are well deserving of recognition through this award.

Millers Quay
GRAHAM

Millers Quay, the biggest development at Wirral Waters and the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration project, stands out for its comprehensive approach to community engagement and local economic impact. The project not only transformed a previously underutilised brownfield site into a vibrant residential area but also significantly boosted the local economy, with £44m being spent with local supply chain partners. With the development providing significant socio-economic benefits, including £31m in Social Economic Return on Investment (SROI), Millers Quay exemplifies excellence in socially responsible construction and demonstrates how strong collaboration can provide a lasting positive impact on the local community.

One Maidenhead
JJ Rhatigan & Co (UK)

JJ Rhatigan’s One Maidenhead project exemplifies outstanding community engagement, setting a new benchmark for socially responsible construction. Our team worked closely with local charities, schools, and organisations, raising over £30,000 and forming our first-ever charity partnership. The project’s impact extended beyond financial support—engaging young people, fostering local relationships, and inspiring industry-wide change. Our client, Hub, was so impressed they have since signed us for two more projects. With outstanding CCS scores and a legacy that continues to shape our company, One Maidenhead proves that construction can leave a lasting, positive imprint on both communities and the industry.

Kierriculum at Marjory Kinnon School
Kier

Kier’s new ‘Kierriculum’ education programme at Marjory Kinnon School has transformed perceptions about construction careers for students with learning difficulties, giving them the opportunity to see themselves working on projects right on their doorstep and impacting their local community. Developed by industry experts and educators, Kierriculum offers a comprehensive library that connects school subjects with practical construction skills. This pioneering educational resource also enhances broader skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and interview techniques. Kierriculum exemplifies a collaborative approach, addressing school and learner needs, contractor delivery, and client community impact – embedding social value into the heart of construction projects.

Carrstone House
Kori Construction

Carrstone House provided tangible benefits to the local community, generating £1,633,729 local social and economic value and left a lasting positive impact on Downham Market. In addition to supporting the local economy through local supply chain spend and job creation for local residents, the team financially supported local causes that addressed the local need, provided training and outreach to vulnerable youngsters, supported 75 local apprenticeship weeks, volunteered 43 hours, and engaged with 2,504 local young people to not only promote inclusive careers in construction, but also opportunities within the operational care home.

Magna Park, Corby community engagement
VolkerFitzpatrick

VolkerFitzpatrick’s Magna Park project in Corby exemplifies industry-leading community engagement. While delivering two cutting-edge distribution units for GLP, the team went beyond contractual obligations to make a lasting impact in one of England’s most deprived areas. They donated over £20,000 in essential supplies to Corby Foodbank and transformed Pen Green Children’s Centre’s outdoor space, providing vital play areas for local children. Engaging with schools, supporting MSMEs, and investing in skills development, they generated nearly £10 million in social value. Recognised with a CCS Bronze award, this project sets a benchmark for social responsibility, sustainability, and meaningful community impact.

Stockport interchange
Willmott Dixon

Willmott Dixon’s work at Stockport Interchange exemplifies socially responsible construction, delivering high impact outcomes in support of customer and community priorities. By creating 175 jobs, providing 1,803 apprenticeship and training weeks, and engaging over 3,000 young people, the project promoted opportunities for local people to develop skills and careers. Initiatives supported care leavers and veterans, renovated facilities and engaged with community groups. With a focus on sustainable procurement and local investment, our people created lasting benefits in Stockport, exceeded KPIs, and set a new standard for social value delivery, earning widespread recognition for our innovative and inclusive approach.