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Social Value

Social Value and Corporate Social Responsibility

social value & CSR

As a leading main contractor and major regional employer, we are dedicated to creating social value. Through the buildings we create, the people we employ, and the communities in which we work, we aim to make a lasting positive impact.

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Supporting Communities and People

We proactively seek opportunities to support local charities, good causes, and organisations to make a tangible difference within communities.

From sponsoring sports teams and donating to charities through to school visits and volunteering, we are involved in a wide range of initiatives every year.

Making a Difference in Partnership

Our efforts are driven by both our head office and site teams. For example, during the construction of a £30m Hartree Super Computing Centre at Sci-Tech Daresbury, we partnered with Stick n’ Step, a charity which supports children with cerebral palsy across the North West. Our initiatives helped to raise more than £3,700 and we worked with our supply chain to create a new baby room pro bono.

Enhancing Wellbeing

Promoting wellbeing is another key strand in our social value strategy. As an official supporter of the construction industry charity The Lighthouse Club, we fundraise to support its awareness campaigns and help maintain the crucial 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline.

Within our business, we have an established team of Mental Health First Aiders and host regular workshops with our site teams, including subcontractors and suppliers. Every year, our colleagues also actively participate in fundraising activities for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Russell WBHO invests in the people and businesses who make things happen:

  • By maintaining and constantly improving safe working standards, including adherence to ISO and Investors in People
  • Ensuring equal opportunities and promoting a diverse culture and supporting the rights of all workers
  • Providing entry to the industry with work experience and trainee programmes
  • Promoting career development and progression to leadership roles
  • Membership of the Lighthouse Club Mental Health First Aid initiative
  • Responsible sourcing of sub-contractors with fair payment terms
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Employment and Skills Development

Russell WBHO are passionate about fostering employment, training and education opportunities within our business and local communities.

Empowering Future Talent

Our award-winning Building Student Programme has been running for more than 20 years providing on-the-job training alongside a fully-funded part-time degree. Students rotate through six different departments in their first two years learning on live projects while benefiting from in-house training and mentorship. In their final three years, they specialise in their chosen field.

To date, 33 students have taken part in the programme and since 2022, 25 per cent have been female. Several graduates have moved into senior management or director roles since successfully completing the programme.

The success of the Building Student programme has earned recognition from the University of Salford. Russell WBHO was named Large Employer of the Year at its Annual Apprenticeship Awards in both 2024 and 2020.

Creating Career Pathways

We have forged strong partnerships with schools, colleges, employment agencies and charities to help people of all ages enter the workforce. Our initiatives include:

Securing Employment Locally

Wherever possible, we use a local supply chain and labour on all our projects, aligned to a local employment plan with specific targets within a postcode.

We take responsibility for our role as a contractor and employer active across various communities:

  • Respect and support local neighbourhoods, minimise inconvenience and disruption to individuals and businesses
  • Abide by the principles of Considerate Constructors
  • Provide clear communication channels and, where necessary, regular community updates about project progress
  • Work with local schools to promote Health & Safety messages
  • Engage directly with schools, colleges and training providers to provide construction career advice
  • Encourage employees to take part in projects and charity campaigns which benefit the wider community
  • Support project-specific initiatives initiated by clients
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Reducing Environmental Impact

We recognise the construction industry’s significant environmental footprint and are committed to minimising it.

We have set a target of becoming net zero by 2038, reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1 & 2) at a rate consistent with the 1.5°C global warming threshold.

Discover more about our sustainability initiatives and net zero roadmap on our Sustainability page.

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