A local scout HQ in Ward End has been given a makeover by a team of volunteers from the Wates Construction team at Left Bank in Birmingham as part of the business’ nationwide ‘Reshaping Tomorrow’ week.
Community
34th Scout HQ welcomed the team of volunteers from Wates, who took time out of their day jobs at Regal (West Point) Ltd’s Left Bank development, where the main contractor is building a new 21-storey residential tower.
The business’ efforts saw the team revamp the scout HQ’s interior, including sanding and varnishing the gym floor, painting and decorating the entrance and installing a recreational climbing wall.
Wates also carried out external landscaping which included building raised planters, removing stock piled redundant materials and rubbish, trimming grass areas and supplying plants. This will enable the 34th Scout Group members to obtain their gardening badges.
‘Reshaping Tomorrow’
The volunteer project formed part of the Wates Group’s ‘Reshaping Tomorrow’ week, a national programme throughout which the business’ 4,000 employees donated their time to help local good causes.
Equating to a nationwide resource of approximately £1.6m, the Wates Group’s volunteering efforts saw the business carry out over 100 local projects across the country to fulfil its commitment to help communities, protect the environment and enhance sustainability.
Rachel Woolliscroft, Sustainability Director at the Wates Group, commented:
“Every year our teams’ endeavours become more and more ambitious as they seek to find new ways to help their neighbours.
Reshaping Tomorrow week is an invaluable initiative through which we can ensure that our work supports communities, enhances environmental and economic sustainability, and ultimately improves the lives of local people."
‘Staying true to our roots’
John Carlin, Business Unit Director of Wates Construction Midlands, added:
“Giving our teams the time and resources to help local good causes is one of the most valuable ways that we stay true to our roots as a family business.
Our Reshaping Tomorrow week is also the perfect time to remember that, while supporting the communities in which we work is extremely important, it’s also vital that we support each other and our health and wellbeing workshops at Left Bank were a really effective forum to achieve this.
As well as the commendable efforts of our Left Bank volunteers at the 34th Scout HQ, I would like to thank the support we have had from our supply chain partners, MPB, Aplant, Beacon Trade and Premier Waste Services.”
Simon Cardall, Deputy County Commissioner of Birmingham County Scouts, said:
“It was great to have met the Wates team at the 34th Scout HQ and to see all of the amazing projects they are undertaking with so much enthusiasm.
To the Scout Group, this contribution means so much to the facilities they have and use each week. They will be enjoyed by the young people who use the building for years to come.”
Five core commitments
‘Reshaping Tomorrow’ is the Wates Group’s framework for sustainability and centres around five core commitments; to support people, communities, buildings, footprint and behaviours.
The annual initiative is supported by the Wates Family Enterprise Trust through its charitable grant programme, Wates Giving, which supports over 250 initiatives a year and has donated over £10m to charitable activities since it launched in 2008.
