Over £3m of social value delivered by Major Works partner
L&Q’s partnership with United Living Property Services (ULPS) has generated more than £3m of social value for our residents and their wider communities, according to a new report published by the construction company.
ULPS is one of our Major Works investment programme (MWIP) partners, delivering improvements to our homes in North East London and Essex.
As part of its contracts, all our MWIP partners signed social value commitments to create a lasting impact in the communities where we operate. In addition, ULPS will also deliver future improvements to homes in Trafford in Greater Manchester.
Social value, defined through the Social Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, came into force in 2013. It requires all public sector organisations and their suppliers to consider ways to secure wider benefits beyond the financial cost of a contract.
The partnership with ULPS, now in its second year, has generated £3,026, 563 in social value in North East London and Essex. This has included 119 volunteering hours, £1,000 of equipment and services provided, 59 jobs created for local residents, five apprentices have been supported and 31 training weeks have been held.
Examples of social value initiatives include:
- ULPS and sub-contractor BTS, volunteered to clear the overgrown garden of a vulnerable L&Q resident, which had become unmanageable for the resident to maintain
- £500 of food donated to a food bank at the Seddon Community Centre in Leyton
- 13 food hampers donated to support residents in need, with a special focus on individuals who are part of the rehoused former rough sleepers’ scheme
- 91 participants had the opportunity to complete 16 different courses in areas including CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS), First Aid, Fire Marshall, Confined Spaces and PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association) is the nationally recognised body for mobile access towers safety and training, among others, to upskill local residents, enhance employability and support workforce development within the community
- a three-day pre-employability course that is aimed at introducing people to the company’s resident liaison role and leads to work placements and possible employment
Jacqueline Noon, Social Value Manager at ULPS, said:
“It was great working in collaboration with major partners on the L&Q contract. Our partnership has allowed us to engage closely with the local community, delivering a variety of initiatives aimed at enhancing residents' lives and creating a lasting, positive legacy in the communities we serve.
“A huge well done to our dedicated social value team, who have been instrumental in these efforts, consistently working to make a positive impact. We're very much looking forward to continuing our collaboration with L&Q for years to come.”
Mark Newstead, Director of Major Programmes at L&Q, said:
“As a charitable housing association, we’re about more than just homes. We’re proud to be working with like-minded partners like United Living Property Services, who share our commitment to creating a lasting positive impact in the communities we serve."
ULPS is one of ten partners working with us on our Major Works investment programme.
This will see L&Q invest around £3bn over 15 years to improve the safety, comfort, and environmental performance of residents’ homes.
Beyond improving homes, the partnership includes social value commitments to create a lasting impact in the communities where we operate.