Community
Social value
We’re always looking to add value to the community and our environment.
Carbon reducing
In 2021, we prevented 80 double-decker buses worth of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
Community values
From school assemblies to charitable donations, we contributed over £50,000 in value to our local communities in 2021.
Apprenticeships
We offer apprenticeships to those wishing to learn from our skilled workforce.
Localism
We really champion localism within our work. On average, 76% of our spend on every project is with local companies.
“On behalf of myself and the students, I would like to say a big thank you for the site tour earlier today. It was fantastic for the students to see the space they are designing and to get experience of being on a live working site (which is the tidiest I have ever seen)! I look forward to seeing how the students develop their designs for this exciting project; this really is an amazing opportunity for them. Thank you.”
Working with our local communities
We are people with values
From stakeholders to the general public, we get to know the communities in which we work. This commitment is demonstrated through our multiple Considerate Constructor awards. We are continually looking to improve the image of the construction industry.
Through understanding our clients, we align ourselves with their values and goals to help them achieve their own social value objectives.
Whether offering apprenticeships or helping them to reduce their carbon footprint, we are always keen to offer added value in everything that we do.
By using modern methods of construction and innovative waste strategies we reduce costs, shorten time periods and limit disruption.
Helping the community
Brickmakers Wood Project, Ipswich
What was the project?
Whilst working on the Atrium Project for the University of Suffolk in Ipswich, we became aware of the Eden-Rose Coppice Trust, a local charity which turns ‘environmental disasters into community dreams’. Led by a father and daughter team, Dr Rob and Jo Brooks, their aim is to transform an area of neglected woodland next to the university site known as Brickmakers Wood.
What was our involvement?
Using unwanted materials from site and our volunteer labour, we formed an access to the lower wooded area, assisted with clearance works and the construction of planters. Timber offcuts and surplus materials were given to the Trust for use at the Woodland.
What was the outcome?
Through the reclamation of an area of redundant space, the Eden-Rose Trust invites children and adults including those with disabilities, mental ill health, behavioural or emotional difficulties, those who are long term unemployed or NEET and the isolated elderly to work with them in the planning, transformation and maintenance of their neglected green spaces.
General construction projects
Community Wood Recycling
What was the project?
Beardwell Construction uses the Community Wood Recycling initiative to recycle and re-purpose surplus wood from our construction sites. Community Wood Recycling is a network of social enterprises collecting and reusing waste wood in the most environmentally beneficial way. This labour-intensive activity provides a wide range of disadvantaged people – including ex-offenders, those coming through substance abuse, learning difficulties, or mental health issues – with the means to build their confidence and self-esteem.
What was our involvement?
We estimate that every tonne of wood collected also saves around half a tonne of carbon emissions. With Community Wood Recycling, every collection is reused or recycled. Reusing wood is 10x more efficient than harvesting, milling, and transporting virgin wood and the collection trucks use less than half the fuel of a skip lorry, greatly reducing CO2 emissions, pollution, and the impact on the road.
What was the outcome?
The numbers speak for themselves: 17.8T of timber was rescued from the waste stream; 9T of Co2 was saved; 37% was pushed up the waste hierarchy into reuse; 63% was sent for recycling into woodchip, used in the manufacture of particleboard, animal bedding, or as carbon-neutral fuel.
School pupil visits
Kingswode Hoe School, Colchester
What was the project?
During construction of the new two-storey teaching block at Kingswode Hoe School in Colchester, the school embraced the school building construction and incorporated various activities into their curriculum. Kingswode Hoe is a special education school located in a residential area within the historic town of Colchester.
What was our involvement?
The school were keen to fire the imagination of their pupils and we arranged a series of visits and talks with the archaeologists on site. The various ‘finds’ including Roman burials, pottery and coins were discussed with the pupils and they took these experiences into their school work.
What was the outcome?
Classes were able to learn about Roman history in the context of their own school and to view artifacts discovered during excavation works. Pupils also learnt about the dangers associated with building sites and what potential careers exist in the industry.
Work experience
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School, Sidcup
What was the project?
Whilst constructing the new 6th Form Centre at Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School, we hosted three sixth formers for two weeks work experience. They spent time at our head office and site office and were given an insight into the building process from planning through to construction. The aim was to give each student a flavour of the careers available in construction and to show the varied work undertaken through each phase.
What was our involvement?
Topics were briefed by the Beardwell team with a particular emphasis on health & safety and women in construction. The students completed set tasks, and were also required to produce a report at the end of their time with us showing what they had learnt. By applying tasks to a construction project which they could view from their work station, they were able to directly understand the relationship of the work task to the final building.
What was the outcome?
Our work experience students discovered that communication is the key for any workplace, and that the construction industry does not live up to its stereotype; there is more to it than bricklaying. One student’s feedback was: “Thank you for a practical, versatile and unforgettable two weeks.”
