Telent reduces waste by donating ICT equipment to Solihull charities

Telent provides maximum social return on investment (SROI) to customers, by adding measurable social benefits to the communities we operate in. This includes providing free resources to voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs)

10-year signal maintenance contract

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 our 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).

Match My Project Initiative

Many community projects offer innovative and valuable services, often engaging with hard-to-reach groups to deliver high-quality, community-led initiatives. However, many of these grassroots organisations struggle to secure resources. In 2024, Telent joined SMBC's pilot scheme to test "Match My Project", an online portal that connects community organisations in need of resources with businesses working directly for SMBC or in the area. Through this tool, community organisations can post requests for specific project support, while businesses can browse a directory of projects to support, or post offers of their support and resources directly.

Contributing to the Community

Following a recent technology upgrade at one of our regional service centres, Telent had several surplus PC monitors. In line with our commitment to environmental sustainability and waste minimisation, our Engineering Manager, Rob Harding, sought re-use options to prevent disposal. Collaborating with our internal teams from Procurement and Information Communication Technology Services (ICTS), we offered these monitors to local causes through the Match My Project platform.

This offer was taken up by two community charities, The Meriden Adventure Playground Association and Citizens Advice Solihull Borough.

Creating a positive impact

Due to limited ICT resources, the charities did not previously have enough equipment for all staff and volunteers and the monitors will be used to make daily tasks and online training much easier. Telent has committed to net zero carbon emissions and pledged to reduce them by 50%, no later than 2030. Giving this equipment new life has avoided approximately 10kg of emissions that would have resulted from disposal and recycling, and an additional 3 tonnes of emissions if new monitors were purchased by the charities.

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Telent is passionate about providing social, economic and environmental value, including assisting the voluntary sector in any way we can through our work. We are delighted that the teams at Meriden Adventure Playground and Citizens Advice Solihull Borough have benefitted from our donation. This small contribution will significantly enhance the efforts of those who give their time to support such valuable community causes. Additionally, the reuse of this equipment positively impacts the environment by reducing waste

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- Rhys Griffiths

Senior ESG Procurement Manager

A helping hand

Through its ‘Supply Chain Social Value Strategy’, Telent also provides opportunities for growth to VCSEs by offering 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.

About Meriden Adventure Playground

The Meriden Adventure Playground Association provide an immersive and engaging youth workspace in an outdoor adventure playground, serving Solihull and surrounding communities. Beyond this, they also operate a community resource bank that supports disadvantaged children with meals, clothes, and school uniforms.

About Citizens Advice Solihull Borough

Citizens Advice Solihull Borough (CASB) is an independent charity within the national Citizens Advice network, providing confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free to the people of Solihull. They are dedicated to providing the advice people need for the problems they face and improving the policies and practices that affect them. In 2023, they supported over 3,000 local people through the provision of specialist advice, information and advocacy.

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