Wates Construction has gifted a summer house to The Beacon Children’s Home in Grantham to mark the completion of the first phase of redevelopment of the site.

The redevelopment project will provide significantly improved facilities for children with disabilities in Lincolnshire, as well as the home’s care staff.

The summer house will provide a much-needed retreat and allow relatives and staff the opportunity to enjoy quiet engagement with the children. It has been donated by Wates with the support and help of its local supply chain.

Designed and funded by Lincolnshire County Council, the first phase of the new ?3.8m home began on site in July 2016. It includes the construction of a single storey block providing living accommodation for the children and care staff, as well as catering and administration areas.

This is a significant improvement on the original 1960s built home, providing spacious bedrooms, superior communal spaces and extensive grassed areas.

The project was procured through the empa framework, which is managed by Scape Group, a public-sector organisation, dedicated to creating ongoing efficiency and social value via the built environment.

The existing staff and residents have settled in to the new home, as work now begins on demolishing the existing two-storey building to make way for phase two of the project, which will involve the development of both hard and soft external play areas.

When complete, the home will also boast improved road access and car parking.

Throughout the first phase of the project, Wates procured the services of a range of local businesses to help deliver the project, and also employed several apprentices from the local construction college in Grantham.

As part of its commitment to the “Buy Social” campaign, Wates appointed a Nottingham based social enterprise, Streetwise Environmental, to provide the landscaping for the home, and to purchase and install the summer house on its behalf.

John Carlin, Business Unit Director of Wates Construction Midlands, commented:

“Beacon Children’s Home is an excellent example of how contracts procured through the empa framework allow the public and private sectors to collaborate on projects that vastly improve the services and environment available to communities across the East Midlands, ensuring efficiency, high quality and value for money. The improved facilities at Beacon Children’s Homeprovide significant addition and improvement to the services offered to families of children with disabilities in Lincolnshire.

As we begin work on phase two we will continue to engage a Lincolnshire-based supply chain to boost the local economy and job market, a commitment that we share with our empa partners on all of our work across the East Midlands.”

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children's Services at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

"This redevelopment will provide a major refurbishment of facilities for children with disabilities who use the home. It's important that vulnerable children live in an environment that supports their needs and adds to their quality of life. Where funds allow, we're committed to upgrading this type of accommodation for the benefit of our children and young people."

Victoria Brambini, Managing Director of Scape Procure, comments:

“It is fantastic to see Wates Construction and Lincolnshire County Council complete the first phase of the new Grantham Children’s Home. Through the use of our empa framework, the council has delivered maximum value for the taxpayer, as well as significant collaboration with local suppliers and training opportunities for local people.

This project will not only have a positive impact for the children and staff in residence, but it will also provide a significant boost to the local economy too.”