We deliver social value for the benefit of our clients, our team and our communities.
Over £26,000 raised
for charity in FY 23/24
870 volunteering hours
in FY 23/24
15+ years of support
for Ronald McDonald House Charities
14 work Experience candidates
in FY 23/24
With a strong focus on communities and the environment, we embed social value throughout our operations.
It’s a core part of our business strategy to drive positive outcomes for clients, partners, communities and our team. To achieve this, we’ve formed a dedicated Social Value Committee with representatives from across the company.
We’re committed to continuous improvement. Each year, we assess our social value efforts to identify successes and areas for growth. On individual projects, we follow social value frameworks like TOMs to set and track targets that respond to local needs.
Our approach to social value is closely aligned with our approach to sustainability.
Social Value Themes
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Designing for All
We're committed to placemaking and through our designs aim to maximise social benefits for the people who live, work and socialise in the spaces we create. We engage and consult with local stakeholders to ensure designs meet local needs and focus on improving issues such as access, connectivity, inclusion, wellbeing and amenity – helping create happier, healthier, safer and more resilient communities.
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Fundraising & Volunteering
We deliver a busy programme of support for local and national charities and organisations. This includes both volunteering and fundraising activities to help improve local skills and employment, support business growth and drive social innovation. Each team member is given 1 days paid volunteering time each year to use on the cause of their choice.
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Education & Jobs
Investing in the next generation is also key to our approach. We actively ensure we are continually developing and supporting our people as well as those local to our projects. We engage with schools, colleges and universities to deliver learning programmes, workshops and support career development. This approach allows our people to mentor, coach and apply their skills and knowledge whilst inspiring others - ensuring positive outcomes for both.
Social Value in Action: RMHC
The project
Our 15-year partnership with and commitment to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has supported the delivery of 7 Houses for families of sick children undergoing treatment at nearby NHS hospitals across the UK.
We’re a longstanding supporter of the charity and provide our services at a reduced fee, doing what we can as retained architects to support the charity and the families they serve.
Our outputs
We encourage our staff to use their volunteering days to support the charity in any way they can. This not only further supports the charity, but it provides our team with a greater understanding of RMHC’s work and their needs, further empowering us to drive continual improvement in our designs for them.
As well as volunteering, we run many fundraising drives each year. Recently, that’s included:
- The Peak District ultra challenge
- £25 donations per client feedback survey completed by our clients
- Selling Christmas cards and decorations, and hosting jumper days each Christmas.
Along with others, these fundraising activities have helped raise the £400,000 needed to extend the Manchester House with four additional family rooms. Our focus has now turned to supporting the charity with the refurbishment of their Alder Hey House.
- Fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities on the Ultra Peak Challenge
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Social Value in Action: Sale West Masterplan
The project
Our regeneration of the Sale West estate for Irwell Valley Homes is delivering 263 much-needed new homes and wider improvements for the community. Social value has been embedded in the project from the start, including a three-year partnership in place to support local education, skills and inclusion.
Our outputs
We’ve adopted Ashton on Mersey School under the ‘Class Of Your Own’ programme, delivering the ‘Design Engineer Construct!’ curriculum through after-school architecture clubs, estate site visits and office workshops. We’ve also hosted work experience placements each summer since 2023 and welcomed the full student cohort to our office to meet the team and receive their COYO training certificates.
Beyond education, we donated 21 laptops to local group Our Sale West, supporting digital inclusion and access to jobs and services through their Tea and Tech Club. Our team have also volunteered time to local causes including a climate march and tree planting with City of Trees.
This collaborative and community-first approach has led to multiple award wins, including
- Regeneration of the Year at Inside Housing Development Awards 2024
- The Social Impact award at the Insider NW Residential Property Awards 2024
- Regeneration of the Year at the Northern Housing Awards 2024
We continue our support of the local community as we continue our work at Sale West Phase 3.
- Supporting Class of Your Own to help students into the construction industry
- Volunteering to help retrofit homes with Canopy Housing
Client Testimonial
“AEW’s team have been amazing throughout their work at Sale West Estate in terms of their accessibility, patience and in accommodating change. They also show a strong approach to community engagement - even now, residents remember and mention the effort, care and attention that AEW’s team gave to the project.”Jenni Poscai Assistant Project Manager
