Our partnership with the Big Issue will allow us to support more vulnerable communities and reinforce our commitment to being a bold, purpose-led business.

Over the past three years, this partnership has grown into something far greater than we first imagined. What began as a shared commitment to support Papyrus developed into a collective, business-wide effort – bringing together our teams, sites and communities around a cause that truly matters.

Across the UK, demand for skilled people continues to grow, yet many young people remain unaware of the breadth of opportunities available within the built environment.

Recently, Su Pickerill, Head of Social Value, had the opportunity to speak at an event in the Houses of Parliament about young people, employability and the role businesses can play in creating opportunities.

We were proud to take part in Big Issue’s first-ever Top 100 Changemakers celebration event, recognising inspiring individuals and organisations driving positive change across communities in the UK.

At HMP Lewes, the latest Reimagining Talent cohort has completed a five week programme designed to support people as they prepare for employment after release.

In Surrey, a disused house owned by HMP Send but not within the wire, has been given a new purpose that goes far beyond bricks and mortar.

As part of this year’s Open Doors, delivered by Build UK in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), two of our projects – Oasis Academy Daventry Road in Bristol and Hanover Street in London – opened their doors this week to students and local community members, offering a rare opportunity to experience the construction industry first-hand.

Our partnership with Wellcome Trust on the Wellcome Genome Campus Development is a powerful example of redefining what development can achieve.

“We believe in ‘giving something back’ to those brave and exceptional military personnel who have the potential to be future industry staff. People of this calibre can only benefit our industry.”

We’re excited to share that Wates will be partnering with Big Issue as the lead sponsor of its Top 100 Changemakers – a national programme that celebrates 100 people and organisations who are reshaping communities and creating positive change.

Members of our Smartspace business and Andy Wates were warmly welcomed at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Hospital in Hackney to hand over a cheque for funds raised for their Neonatal Unit.

For over a decade, we have been directly supporting prison leavers as part of our commitment to our purpose – reimagining places for people to thrive. 

We are proud to have supported the launch of the Pennywell Fellowship by sponsoring a community climbing wall at their high-profile event.

At Wates, we’re committed to transforming lives in the communities where we work, especially by supporting the next generation to thrive.

Stephen Beechey and Robert Stone from our Public Sector team will be taking on an unforgettable challenge: cycling across the historic battlefields of World War I in Belgium.

As part of our commitment to making construction a career of choice for a more diverse range of students, we reimagined our summer programme.

Every week, Finchley Foodbank supports around 600 people from 220 households navigating the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.