Community engagement
Willmott Dixon Group believes it is important to make a positive difference at both local and national level by working to engage and involve the communities in which we operate.
Our vision is to continue to add value to our clients and our shareholders and to build upon our history and reputation by continuing to contribute to society as a whole. We are committed to undertake our activities in a sustainable and responsible manner and take a leadership role in the built environment. We will ensure that our business genuinely contributes to the community by initiating and supporting educational, environmental, social and economic activities, which enrich our people, customers and suppliers and bring benefit to the wider community.
Community Engagement - We have appointed Community Engagement co-ordinators whose role is to provide support and advice on community engagement; to co-ordinate the capture of community engagement measurement and to develop and implement a LCO Community Engagement Plan. They liaise regularly with other Community Co-coordinators to develop and implement a divisional approach and share best practice.
Community Involvement - We ensure that our business genuinely contributes to the community by initiating and supporting educational, environmental, social and economic activities. We endeavour to carry out a programme of community engagement where we are constructing buildings, providing information through newsletters and webcams and offering opportunities for feedback – for example through open meetings.
Our national community engagement strategy encourages individuals or teams to take time out of busy schedules and get involved in community initiatives. Activities are varied from the provision of support facilities, business mentoring, work shadowing and charitable activities.
We are currently sponsoring DARE, a Charity established to reduce drug, solvent and alcohol abuse and violence by teaching children resistance skills and highlighting the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.
Skills and Local employment - We use our local presence to raise awareness of construction careers through schools, colleges, career events and site visits. We develop training opportunities for local students and raise the profile of construction as a career. We participate in the Construction Ambassadors scheme, which acts as the face of the industry, sharing positive experiences with young people.
We provide employment for local people on all our projects and sites which contributes to the local economy and ‘recycles the local pound’.
We are also committed to support schools that offer the advanced level diploma in Construction and Built Environment.
Volunteering - The Company is committed to developing and maintaining an organisation in which differing ideas, abilities, backgrounds and needs are fostered and valued, and as such, encourages staff to participate in an active and meaningful way in their community. Within its Sustainable Development Strategy, Willmott Dixon provides the opportunity for staff members to become 'employee volunteers'.
Measures - Willmott Dixon has recently set the following measures and will be reviewing the data for 2009 to enable future targets to be set:
• Cash donations
• Gifts in kind
• Staff time
• Supply chain contributions