Earlier this year, Sandwell Council’s Social Value team was contacted by Richard Lewis, Commercial Director at Bridge Construction, to ask if there were any local community projects they could support while working on a programme nearby in Cradley Heath.
Connecting businesses with community need
Our Social Value Officer, Karen Richards identified an opportunity at the Cradley Heath Salvation Army Church and Community Hub, who were looking for support to improve their outdoor communal area. The space had become overgrown and difficult to use, and the team at the hub wanted to prepare it for community use in the warmer months.
The Salvation Army provides wide-ranging support for people in need regardless of background or faith and were keen to make the most of their outdoor space to enhance wellbeing and community connection.
Karen connected Bridge Construction with Jacob Smith, Corps Mission Development Leader at the Salvation Army. Within two weeks, Richard visited the site and got to work.
“It was a pleasure to be able to help Jacob and the Cradley Heath Salvation Army to create a more user-friendly outdoor space for its members,” said Richard. “It only took three days to transform the outside space, removing overgrown vegetation and general waste. We then re-laid the existing paving which had sunken and provided a small extension to the paved area. The whole outside area around the rear of the building was jet washed on completion.”
Ready for the community
Jacob was delighted with the result and grateful for the support: “It’s a grand job. Thank you to Karen for keeping us in mind and linking us up with Bridge Construction and thank you again Richard and the team for this great community help – getting the garden space ready for the warmer months!”
This is another example of how Sandwell’s Social Value is helping to connect local businesses with meaningful community projects.
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