**Social Value**
Using construction as a catalyst for good
We are facing a skills shortage in the industry, and there is a responsibility for us to do the most we can to attract and recruit the next generation. However, our responsibilities also go much further than learning and employment. It's about diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and local communities too.
On the four SFRS projects, we looked to give something back to the community through investment, community events and sustainability improvements, guided by our Social Value Charter written specifically for each project by all of the stakeholders.
Social Value Advisor
Across all 4 projects we achieved:
📈 28% social value ROI💑 £1.8m of social value reinvested in local area🌍 £4,490 spent with Social Enterprises👷🏼♀️ 24 apprentice weeks👨🏽🏫 37 charitable volunteering hours🎁 £4,800 in charitable donations
Fundamental
It's in the mix
Unimportant
On every SCAPE project, we produce a Social Value Charter with you to ensure that the social value delivered is targeted and appropriate to your local community.
This is achieved through a number of social value initiatives, such as the recruitment and employment of employees and apprentices, the support of mentoring and training programmes for under-represented or employed groups and by supporting local SMEs to decarbonise.
All our SCAPE projects use the Themes, Measures and Outcomes (TOMs) system to reliably record and report outcomes.
The four key Social Value themes that underpin the system include:
On the four fire stations project, we significantly exceeded our social value targets across the board.From strong local labour and SME engagement to impactful education, employment, and community initiatives, the outcomes show our commitment to delivering real, lasting value. Through collaborative delivery, we’ve supported local people, backed small businesses, and helped build healthier, more sustainable communities.
Local Labour (within 20m)
30%
58%
Local Spend (within 20m)
51%
SME Engagement
75-100%
89%
SME Spend
50-75%
81%
Workless Job Starts
3
TBC
Hours of Support into Work
18hrs
89hrs
School/STEM Engagement
52hrs
76.5hrs
Apprentice Weeks
15
24
Work Experience Placements
6
16
Wellness or Health Initiatives
£1,250
£5,200
Charitable Donations
£3,900
£4,800
Volunteering Hours
25hrs
37hrs
Innovative measures to enable healthier, safer and more resilient communities
£750
£3,660
Car miles driven using low or no emission staff vehicles
1,500
5,050
A new kitchen at Dingwall Fire Station was not in the original project scope, but the team and its supply chain generously donated and installed one, significantly improving the station’s facilities for both firefighters and the local community.
Dingwall Watch Commander, Derick Graham, said: "On behalf of the crew at Dingwall Fire Station, I would like to thank you and Morgan Sindall for supplying and fitting our new outstanding fully fitted kitchen. Considering the kitchen was not part of the refurb and was in a very sorry state due to its age I cannot thank you enough for stepping in and providing this excellent feature."
In Galashiels, we donated 22 bikes to Just Cycle CIC, a charity that refurbishes second-hand bikes for the local community. Sixteen were restored and are now in use, while the remaining parts were repurposed, ensuring nothing went to landfill.
Christmas presents donated at the Inverness Kids’ Christmas Party, helped bring festive cheer to firefighters’ children and families.
The project at Inverness Fire Station donated 20 pints of blood in support of Give Blood’s Inverness Donor Centre in Raigmore Hospital.
Senior Commercial Manager Andrew Taylor, said: “Anyone thinking of becoming a donor or who hasn't been in a while to please donate. It's such a simple thing that can make such a huge difference to someone else out there.”
Embracing circular economy principles, our Newcraighall Fire Station project team donated surplus furniture, beds, and mattresses to Emmaus, a charity that works to address homelessness in the UK, and also one that supports young people and women in rural areas of Africa.
All proceeds from the donations will go towards the provision of clean drinking water pumps in the local and rural communities in Gambia.
Our Galashiels team joined volunteers from The SCAPE Community Legacy Programme at the Fresh Start warehouse, helping unpack food donations and assemble starter packs of essential household items. In total, we donated approximately £400 worth of items to support people moving into new homes.
We donated time and materials to establish a Food Growing Garden at Newcraighall Fire Station, helping create a sustainable resource for firefighters.
Our team at Galashiels provided £500 worth of equipment to support Hike and Bike Club, a local Social Enterprise that encourages people to engage in the outdoors.
To support firefighter health and fitness, we donated a Mirafit Functional Trainer with weights as part of the Newcraighall Fire Station handover. This will help the firefighting crews to maintain peak physical condition for their demanding roles.
Burgh Primary, one of Galashiels’ oldest schools, benefited from significant improvements delivered over a six month period. Our team and supply chain volunteers created a new sensory room and donated specialist equipment to enhance the space for students with sensory needs.
The school also invited us to join its Club 150 Campaign, leading to our sponsorship of a live author event with Gala-born performer Alan Windram. More than 200 children from surrounding primary schools attended, and each received Sitka The Amazing Timber Tree, a book created by Morgan Sindall to highlight timber’s positive environmental impact within construction.
When Morgan Sindall approached us with the offer of assistance it was a unique opportunity to provide a dedicated space for pupils who have more sensory needs. They not only provided the materials and labour free of charge to repurpose an existing cloakroom space but also donated hundreds of pounds worth of equipment to help us kit the room out." - Headteacher Kirsty Hadden
The lockers and drying racks installed at all four locations were produced by inmates at HMP Barlinnie Prison. The standard one-size-fits-all locker cages store firefighters' uniforms, with space for a spare set if needed. Drying racks are placed in drying rooms for uniforms that have been washed.
To enhance the safety of firefighters and workers at Inverness Fire Station, we collaborated with our supply chain to clear snow from around the station’s temporary accommodation units.
In addition, extra bags of salt were donated to ensure continued safety in icy conditions.
The Inverness Fire Station team proudly took part in "Wear Yellow Day" in support of Highland Hospice, a charity dedicated to providing compassionate care for people with life-limiting illnesses across the Highlands.
By donning bright yellow attire, the team helped raise awareness and vital funds, with £230 donated to the cause.
As part of the Newcraighall handover event, Morgan Sindall partnered with Nee Naws Pizzeria to provide catering.
Serving pizza from their converted 1981 Dennis fire engine proved to be a huge success. Not only did it deliver fantastic food, but it also offered a fitting tribute to the fire station, creating a fun and engaging experience for all in attendance.
