ASSETS is a six-month business support programme for social enterprises in the construction industry supply chain which are aiming to scale their operations and secure larger contracts.
We are working together with the Impact Hub King’s Cross on a pilot business mentoring programme with the shared goal of supporting social or environmental impact-driven suppliers to improve readiness to scale up and successfully compete UK-wide. This programme aligns with ‘the long term strategic commitment outlined in our social value strategy, ‘Creating Opportunities’, to ‘support five social enterprises to achieve national scale by 2025’.
Social enterprises involved in this programme
AT LEAST 20% OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS
Connection Crew
“We see Wates as a leader in the sector embracing social enterprise, and we see a significant opportunity to grow our customer base across the wider sector with knowledge gained from this programme. Impact Hub also offers a significant network for knowledge exchange which we are keen to embrace. Our social aim is to provide training and gainful employment to those who have had a history of homelessness”
Connection Crew is a labour based social enterprise, providing crew for various event, logistics and installation jobs within construction, FM, and the TV, film and theatre industry. At least 20% of employees have experienced homelessness.
SUSTAINABLE WORKPLACE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
Traco UK
“Our mission to be a truly compelling triple bottom line business.
People, planet and profit. People: helping to recruit long term unemployed and creating apprenticeship places. Planet: by reusing and recycling furniture and equipment, keeping goods in use for longer so reducing raw material depletion/mineral extraction. Profit: Being sustainable and self-funding. Using surplus funds to improve our communities and environment.”
By offering environmental and socially responsible clearance solutions, Traco delivers sustainable workplace furniture and equipment to start-ups which enables them to report on environmental and social governance statistics and return money back to their clients (partners).
USES PROFITS TO CARRY OUT FREE EMERGENCY WORKS FOR THOSE IN NEED
Depher
“Depher was set up to take the worry away from people who felt they have to choose between heating and eating.
A goal for the coming years is to have a Depher in all counties of the UK to help the vulnerable peoples.”
Depher is a plumbing and heating company that uses its profits from private work to carry out free emergency works for customers who are registered disabled, over 65 and/or in financial need.
WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Sazmedia
“I’m keen to build knowledge and confidence to take on larger clients and bigger projects.
Our social impact workshops, bring people together, reduce social isolation and aim to improve general health and wellbeing, alongside up-skilling participants in creative media.”
Sazmedia works with young people providing film and photography services and creative workshops, working on location and in the studio.
WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
CAFgas
“CAFgas delivers warm and safe homes in the community. Revenues are generated through boiler installations, boiler and heating system repairs and maintenance services to keep homes heated by safe and reliable central heating systems. Our social mission is to combat food poverty, isolation and loneliness in the community. This is delivered through the Nanny Biscuit campaign.”
CAFgas is an award-winning innovative plumbing and gas community interest company that supplies a real customer focused and driven service, specialising in boiler and full system installation, service and repair. The profit it generates are invested into projects around loneliness and isolation, food and fuel poverty, holistic veteran support and the environment.
