Sandwell Council supplier Amey Consulting delivered above and beyond for Sandwell recently by sending a team of volunteers to help in one of the borough’s most popular parks.

On Wednesday 26 April, eight volunteers from the consultancy arm of engineering company Amey spent the day cutting back overgrown areas, clearing pathways and removing litter from an area of Sandwell Valley Country Park. They were guided by park rangers, who talked through methods for promoting the traditional heathland of the area and the wildlife that thrives there.

Also getting their boots muddy were Sandwell Council’s Social Value team and (Interim) Volunteer Development Manager Andrew Walker. They organised the day as a corporate social responsibility event for Amey Consulting.

Social and environmental benefits

Michael Wragg is Senior Social Value Officer for Sandwell Council. He said this was a great example of a council supplier going the extra mile for Sandwell.

“When we award contracts, we are increasingly looking beyond price to see what social and environmental benefits our partners can bring to Sandwell. So we’re very glad to have built a strong relationship with our professional services supplier Amey Consulting via the Midlands Highway Alliance Plus Framework. It’s uplifting to see the ways in which the team are keen to give back to the borough.

“The volunteers worked so hard and were a great help! They carried out lots of work they wouldn’t normally do, to make a positive impact on the area. Thank you to all of them, and to Amey Consulting for giving us these volunteering hours.”

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth. He praised everyone involved for their collaborative work in Sandwell Valley.

“The volunteers and Sandwell Council staff made impressive visible improvements within one of our beloved green spaces, including making pathways more accessible for people. Thanks to our knowledgeable park rangers, they learned about nurturing Sandwell Valley’s diverse habitats too.

“I am sure everyone returned to their ‘usual’ roles with a feeling of accomplishment and a heightened sense of teamwork. We’re proud of Sandwell Council’s strong social value agenda and only too happy to support other contractors who are keen to give back to our borough. Thank you to all involved.”

Collective achievement for Amey Consulting and Sandwell Council

Amey Consulting’s Project Director Chris Barker said he and his colleagues had been delighted to spend the day working in Sandwell Valley.

“Social value is a key is priority for Amey Consulting and each employee is given two paid ‘Social Impact Days’ per year to do good in the community. The protection and enhancement of the natural world is an area close to all of our hearts and we were delighted to support Sandwell Council in the beautiful Sandwell Valley Country Park. The team really enjoyed the day, and we were proud to make a difference to our local area.”

Would your Sandwell business like to give back to the borough? Learn about the work-winning and team-boosting benefits of social value in Sandwell.