Demonstrating a strong commitment to social value, Telent enhances community spaces by improving safety and accessibility for local residents at community church.
In 2021, Telent was awarded a 10-year contract to maintain signals on over 160 roads for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC). A pivotal aspect of Telent's proposal was its strong commitment to delivering social value aligned to local priorities. This commitment was valued at £650,911 over the contract's duration, focusing on targets such as local employment, training opportunities, employability skills for young people, working with local businesses, and providing free resources to voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs).
Over the last year, Telent has actively participated in SMBC’s VCSE networking events to engage with community-led initiatives in need of assistance, making several commitments to provide Telent’s business resources and expertise to help these organisations deliver their mission and grow.
Supporting Marston Green Baptist Church
Marston Green Baptist Church is an important community space, offering activities and services for residents of all ages. Community spaces play a crucial role in social cohesion, serving as venues for educational programmes, recreational activities, and social events, which are vital for promoting wellbeing and a sense of belonging within the community. However, the car park was in a state of disrepair, posing safety risks and limiting accessibility for visitors. After meeting volunteers, Telent responded to the problem by providing the repairs at no cost.
Dan Rigby, Head of Field Services for Telent’s Asset Management Team engaged with church representatives and the Community Development team at SMBC to understand their needs and schedule the work with minimal disruption to church activities. The work was completed efficiently by Telent’s Civil Engineering Specialists, ensuring the car park is now safe and accessible for all visitors.
Providing a positive community impact
The new car park surface has significantly improved the safety and accessibility of Marston Green Baptist Church, enabling it to continue serving the community effectively. This initiative is a testament to Telent's commitment to delivering social value and supporting local community organisations.
Rhys Griffiths, Senior ESG Procurement Manager – Telent
We’re incredibly grateful to Telent for their generous support in repairing our car park. The quality of work is excellent, and this improvement has greatly enhanced the look, safety, and accessibility of our facilities. The improved car park not only benefits our regular visitors but also welcomes new visitors to our events. Telent's commitment has made a significant difference to our church and the local area.
"Through its ‘Supply Chain Social Value Strategy’, Telent’s Procurement team provides opportunities for growth to VCSEs by offering 100 hours of free business resources to improve local services and enable access to future funding. This can significantly enhance operational efficiency and overall impact.
Voluntary organisations have immense potential for growth and employment for people from hard-to-reach backgrounds, but often operate on limited resources. Expert guidance in areas such as ICT, strategic planning, financial management and organisational development can prove invaluable to achieving their social purpose. Telent has recently assisted several VCSEs including Solihull Citizens Advice and Cars Area Together by providing its expertise for free to deliver key projects.