Why social
enterprises
matter
Why social
Why social enterprises matter
Danny started with Wates as part of its trainee scheme in 2019, and has recently been promoted to Assistant Surveyor. He is a social enterprise (SE) champion on the Park East housing development Wates is building in the London Borough of Bexley with Orbit.
I try my best to incorporate and think of ways to use as many social enterprises as possible in our supply chain; this can be as varied as a marquee used for events on site to providing free feminine hygiene products to use in the toilets.
Danny Ingoldsby
Assistant Surveyor, Wates Residential
Wates has been a keen supporter of social enterprises for many years, and all our businesses have made the commitment to use at least one on every project we manage. Because SEs reinvest or donate their profits to create positive social change in the community, supporting them is a key part of Wates’ social value strategy.
Benefits of buying social
Spreading the good news on Social enterprises
I wanted to make sure all the team understood the benefits of ‘buying social’ and the value it has for society.
So I invited Nuneaton Signs – one of our suppliers, which happens to be social enterprise – – down to site to give us a presentation on what they do, and their core values. They explained how every time we buy site signage through them we’re helping disabled people get into work and giving them an opportunity which they might never get with other companies.
Nuneaton Signs
Nuneaton Signs is has 54 staff, of whom 70% have at least one disability.
The presentation from Nuneaton was great and informed us that the £63,000 we have spent with them at Park East has allowed them to hire an additional apprentice Beth, who is registered blind.
This additional work volume and turnover is helping them change even more lives. Beth will be working on Wates’ account. And you can view her story here
We have recently procured new directional signage through Nuneaton, giving them even more of an opportunity to earn more money, and we’ll be arranging a factory visit to meet the team in the not too distant future.
I can’t emphasise enough what buying through Social Enterprises does and how it has such a massive impact on communities.
