More than £16 million has been invested in community and business projects bordering HS2’s route, helping to drive the local economy, enhance the environment and boost wellbeing. New figures show that £2.56m was allocated via the HS2 community and business funds programme over the last 12 months – taking the total above £16m since they were launched seven years ago. The investment has been made in 285 separate projects to date, including upgrades to community buildings, improved sporting and play facilities, activities for young people, wildlife enhancements and the creation of community gardens. The total has been swelled by a further £55m-worth of matched funding, including volunteer time and cash resources, underlining the extent to which the funds act as a catalyst to drive community projects. The latest figures were revealed in an annual report published by Groundwork UK, independent administrators of the funds, on behalf of HS2 Ltd. According to the report, funding over the last 12 months has been concentrated on “priority” geographical areas to ensure that all communities along the line of route receive a fair share of the funding. The report sets out how investments will further pivot over the coming year, with funds continuing to be concentrated on priority areas as well as schemes that support local economies and deliver environmental and biodiversity enhancements.  Two funding streams – the Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) – were launched in 2017 to aid communities affected by construction of the new high-speed line. This is over and above other statutory compensation to individuals, businesses and local economies facing direct disruption as a result of Britain’s biggest infrastructure programme. In the last year, 49 awards have been made in total, including: Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 funds, said: “We’re delighted to report that support for communities along HS2’s route has now exceeded £16m, with some outstanding examples of the tangible benefits enjoyed by locally-led projects. “In the last year we have invested in vital schemes to improve local people’s health and wellbeing, support children and young people, enhance the environment, and improve buildings and facilities – bringing communities together across rural and urban areas.” Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said: “During a turbulent year for the HS2 project, it’s fantastic that communities have been provided with continuous and stable support through the funds, which are ensuring a rich variety of community assets and activities are being created for those effected by the works.” A £40m funding pot was created when the schemes were launched, covering Phase One from London to the West Midlands. The investment will cover the entire construction timeline of HS2, which is expected to start operating between 2029 and 2033. In addition, a further £5m of funding was made available for Phase 2a between the West Midlands and Crewe when this part of the line was approved by Parliament in early 2021. This closed to applications in November last year following the government decision to cancel the northern legs of HS2.   Please visit the funds’ website for more information – including how to apply for funding – here: https://hs2funds.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Sovini Group Golf Day brought together 80 golfers from the housing and commercial sector at Childwall Golf Club to compete in the sold-out event, which was hosted by local comedian Willie Millar. The guests and 20 sponsors in attendance collectively raised £19,000 for Zoe’s Place Cycle India Challenge. Zoe’s Place cares for babies and young children with life-limiting, life-threatening or complex conditions. Their hospice in Liverpool has been on the same site for the last 28 years, but they now need to raise enough capital to ensure that their new hospice can facilitate their current services, providing the home away from home environment that the babies and families deserve. During the event, players had the opportunity to win a variety of prizes kindly donated by local companies and were also able to bid on auction items, including Peter Kay tickets and Liverpool Football Club signed shirts, to raise valuable funds. Gina Earnshaw from the Zoe’s Place said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with The Sovini Group so we can collectively raise funds to secure a new hospice and future home in Liverpool for our children and their families.” The Sovini Group’s annual golf day will focus on raising money for the Cycle India challenge in aid of Zoe’s Place. A team of seven colleagues will be pedalling 450 km through majestic Rajasthan, in aid of this great cause. Gina added “It’s our aspiration to raise enough capital to ensure that our new hospice can facilitate our current services, providing the home away from home environment that our babies and families deserve. We are so grateful for everyone who generously donated at today’s golf day, and we’ll look forward to more partnership opportunities with The Sovini Group in future.” The Sovini Group CEO Roy Williams said: “Our annual golf day is a great opportunity to raise valuable funds for Zoe’s Place, a very worthy local cause and one close to our hearts. I would like to thank our sponsors and guests who helped to make this event such a success, and for making a difference to the children and their families, as we strive to create opportunities and change lives.” To find out more about Zoe’s Place visit their website here. To find out more about The Sovini Group click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

LEADING regional procurement specialist EN:Procure, part of Efficiency North Holdings consortium of social housing providers, has continued its support of communities in Yorkshire through its Social Value Credits scheme for members. Efficiency North members who use EN:Procure’s frameworks can accrue the credits to be used for local community investment or creating new jobs and apprenticeships. The scheme’s latest £1,500 total was accumulated by 54North Homes, a member that builds and manages more than 3,000 affordable homes across Yorkshire. It decided to share the proceeds equally between walking buddy project Move Mates and Leeds-based community service The Pantry. Lee Parkinson, chief executive of Efficiency North, said: “Social value is the beating heart of Efficiency North and the foundation stone of our vision, values and mission. The Social Value Credits model was created as a response to our members wanting a more flexible way of delivering real impacts to the communities they serve, and that is evidenced by these donations made by 54North Homes. “Whether the money is going towards apprenticeships, jobs in the community or great causes, it’s all about building resilient communities for the north of England.” Since launching the scheme in 2019, Efficiency North has delivered £564k in Social Value Credits to its membership for them to target support in the communities they serve. Move Mates, based in North Yorkshire, helps make getting out for a walk a reality for people who have difficulty leaving their homes, training volunteers to offer one-to-one support to members of the community. Becci Blues, Move Mates CEO, said: “The donation from Efficiency North and 54North Homes has been a huge help in supporting our projects to continue to run throughout North Yorkshire, allowing us to continue to offer our services from volunteer walking buddies to help get people active, improve their wellbeing and reduce isolation.  “On average it costs us £75 to recruit and train a new volunteer, so this donation will mean we can recruit ten new volunteers and support ten new beneficiaries from our waiting list. Thank you to Efficiency North and 54North Homes for their support and generosity.” The Pantry at Kirkstall Valley Development Trust provides residents in the Kirkstall area with access to groceries and fresh produce at an affordable price, reducing their shopping bills. The trust’s CEO, Adele Rae, said: “Without the support of organisations such as Efficiency North and 54North Homes, the pantry would not be sustainable, so this generous donation is greatly appreciated. “The funds have gone directly towards food for the pantry, which supports between 30 and 40 households each week that may be struggling financially, or with their physical or mental health. “It’s a lifeline for many people in the community so this donation will help us serve even more.” To find out more about Efficiency North, please visit https://www.efficiencynorth.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

On Wednesday 10th April 1st Shipley Scouts in Sussex held a celebratory event to mark the completion of its brand-new accessible shower block. The new facilities were made possible by Willmott Dixon, together with generous contributions from local businesses and the community. Chairman of 1st Shipley Scouts, Peter Sutton, welcomed and gave thanks to contributors and explained that the new facilities present extended opportunities for Scouts both now and for generations to come. Officially opening the new shower block were Jeremy Quin MP and Chairman of Horsham Council, Cllr David Skipp who jointly cut a ceremonial ribbon alongside Explorers, Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers from the group. After all the showers had their inaugural test-run, attendees enjoyed a barbecue lunch and explored the facilities together. Pete Sutton, Chairman of 1st Shipley Scouts, remarked how the project was made possible with significant input from both Willmott Dixon and local contributors: “Initially, the project got underway with thanks to local generosity from Billingshurst Lions, Saxon Weald, Dudman Group and Tugwell Heating Co who either gave donations, materials, or got stuck in with physical hard work. When we’d got as far as we could, we then reached out to the team at Willmott Dixon for their help, and I am bowled over by what they have achieved for us. “We’re extremely grateful to Project Manager Rob Douglas and Managing Director of the South Richard Poulter who have been absolutely fundamental to getting this completed. The build team included final year management trainees Caitlyn Greenwell and Callum Cronin who have now completed their training and represented Willmott Dixon at the event. They enlisted further help from 17 supply chain partners and worked tirelessly to finish the DDA compliant shower block. Everything was taken care of, from installing a new boiler, right down to the smallest of details of fixing towel hooks and supplying shower curtains. “What’s more impressive is that this all happened whilst navigating the restrictions of COVID. As such a big company, Willmott Dixon could have easily forgotten us, but they didn’t. They delivered on every single promise and more. “Showing such dedication to following through on a local community project like ours is truly humbling. We previously had a shell of a building – I never imagined we’d have something finished to this standard. It’s with thanks to Willmott Dixon and local support that more people are now able to enjoy the experiences to be had here.” Richard Poulter, Managing Director of the South from Willmott Dixon, commented on the project success: “Being able to provide community facilities such as these is one of the commitments we make at Willmott Dixon, as we understand the value of the opportunities it can create for people. With tough restrictions in place during the COVID pandemic, we had a lot of challenges to overcome, but we take great pride in delivering on our promises and are honoured to have been able to support 1st Shipley Scouts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Chubb, one of the leading providers of fire safety and security solutions, has donated £500 to support the Hillingdon Foodbank. Through the organisation’s charitAble employee volunteering programme, the marketing and communications team spent the day preparing food parcels for local families in the Hillingdon borough area. Chubb’s charitAble initiative encourages employees to engage directly with local communities by offering two paid days off annually for volunteering activities, along with a donation to their chosen charity. “At Chubb, we’re a business that protects lives and puts people first, so it’s fitting that we too support our people in making meaningful connections with our local communities and supporting causes that matter to them,” said Carla Sousa, Director of Marketing and Communications at Chubb. “It was great to be able to give something back to our community and make a difference to people who really need it.” During the visit to the Hillingdon Foodbank, the Chubb team learnt about the scale of the foodbank’s operations and met the Community Project Coordinator, Muhammad ‘Peter’ Abdullaziz. The team got stuck in with various tasks, from organising and labelling to packing food for distribution to those in need. The Hillingdon Foodbank was London’s first food bank, opening its doors in 2009. In 2021, it provided 13,477 people with three-day emergency food. “Our foodbank relies heavily on the generosity and support of the community to provide emergency food assistance and address the broader challenges of poverty and hunger,” said Peter. “Chubb’s kindness and commitment mean everything to us. Their donation will provide food parcels for 15 families, helping to alleviate the hardships they face due to the cost-of-living crisis.” Through initiatives like charitAble, Chubb continues to lead by example, demonstrating that compassion and humanity are integral to the business world. Chubb is not only making a difference in the lives of those in need but also paving the way for a more socially responsible corporate landscape. To find out more about Hillingdon Foodbank please visit: https://hillingdon.foodbank.org.uk/