Thirteen Group’s Capital Investment Framework launched in 2023 – an initiative aiming to modernise thousands of homes across the North East and Yorkshire.
Its main focus is to improve the quality of homes for residents by working in partnership with contractors like Esh Construction to deliver component replacement and complex build schemes, with works involving electrical upgrades, kitchen replacements, heating upgrades and improvements to communal areas.
But we don’t just stop there. At Esh, our commitments go well beyond the construction projects themselves to add value into the local community. Through our Constructing Local strategy, we keep social value at the heart of what we do – whether that’s donations in kind, volunteering or school engagement, we’re committed to investing time and money into the areas we’re operating in.
We recently caught up with Social Value Coordinator, Aley Wright, to find out more about Esh’s social value delivery on the framework.
Delivering meaningful impact
Through the last year on the framework, Esh has remained focused on not just delivering social value, but delivering impact that creates lasting benefits for the communities we serve. By working closely with residents, we’ve been able to respond directly to local needs and ensure our investment makes a meaningful difference.
Our community approach is reflected in our delivery, with 100% of operatives on site as well as 99% of project spend being directly from the local area – allowing us to reinvest into the local economy by supporting jobs and businesses.
Wellbeing support has also been a key priority throughout the framework. Esh has invested over £2,000 in relation to mental health initiatives, helping to break down the stigma associated with mental health, and encouraging open conversations around how support can be accessed. We partnered with James’ Place to deliver an on-site session at our Throston Grange project in Hartlepool. Operatives paused work for one hour to attend a dedicated toolbox talk covering available support, recognising signs and symptoms of poor mental health, and suicide prevention.
Alongside this, we have continued to support organisations making a difference in the region, including a £900 donation to Kinship Carers where grandparents are stepping in to raise their grandchildren. The donation enabled 35 children and adults to enjoy a day trip to the Life Science Centre in Newcastle to explore science in a fun, hands-on environment, and take part in interactive learning experiences to help with their sensory needs.
In a bid to help provide vital support to families in need, five Esh representatives were joined by Thirteen Group to volunteer at The Junction Multibank in Middlesbrough – an organisation that plays a vital role in distributing essential items to people who need them most, helping to tackle poverty in the Tees Valley area. The team created craft boxes for low-income families to give children access to creative activities that support learning, enrichment and wellbeing.
Our commitment to developing future talent has also remained strong, with apprentices completing 36 weeks on related Thirteen Group sites, helping to build skills and create pathways into the industry.
Overall, by working together with Thirteen Group on the framework, we have proved that investment into homes can – and should – go hand in hand with investment into people. By combining high-quality refurbishment with a strong focus on local employment, wellbeing, community support and skills development, we have helped to create places where residents and communities can thrive long after the works are complete.
