When a local authority looks to award work, contractors must do more than just fulfil basic terms, they must also demonstrate that awarding them the work will benefit the wider community. ‘Social value’ can be in the form of economic, social or environmental wellbeing. At its heart, social value is about doing good, improving people’s lives and changing communities for the better.

One business working hard to bring social value to Sandwell is construction company VINCI. VINCI says its overall aim is: “to foster social progress by being a humanist group that exemplifies inclusion and solidarity,” and “to embrace our role as a private sector partner working in the public interest.”

One of the ways VINCI has done this in Sandwell is by forming ties with Sandwell Academy. Year 12 students recently enjoyed a visit to VINCI’s Technology Centre, including a tour of the site and presentations about the company’s latest developments. VINCI also gave two week-long work experience placements to students from the academy.

The company also has a long-standing relationship with Ocker Hill Primary School in Tipton. VINCI recently refurbished a quiet reading area, donated furniture and helped the children boost biodiversity in the area by installing bat boxes, beehives, bird boxes and feeders, a bug hotel, a small mammal house and a water butt. The school also received a large bag of wildflower seeds and three pairs of binoculars to watch the wildlife.

Other measures VINCI has taken to add social value to the company include sending all managers on mental health awareness training, boosting its fleet of electric vehicles and maintaining a high level of waste recycling, at around 98.5 per cent.

To find out more about how your company could deliver more social value, visit our social value page.