This year, at United Infrastructure, we delivered 127% against our Social Value targets within L&Q's Major Works Investment Programme. We achieved £3,293,308.95 of validated Social Value against a target of £2,589,712, which was only made possible through strong collaboration with our community lead from L&Q and a real commitment from our operational and delivery teams.
But honestly, I have never been drawn to Social Value because of the targets. It is incredible to see those numbers, and I understand why they are there. They help give structure and direction, but that is not what makes the work meaningful for me. What I enjoy is the people behind it, and those moments when you can see that something you helped put together has actually made a difference.
Over the last year, I have planned and been involved in many projects, and here I will talk about a few that have really stayed with me. Not just because of the outcomes, but because of how they felt at the time and what they meant to the people involved.
One of the biggest things for me was volunteering with Driving for Change.
Through selling coffee via Change Please, they repurposed London buses to provide essential services to people experiencing homelessness. These included barista training, which opened doors to employment, as well as access to haircuts, dental care, and even something as fundamental as a postal address. It is a programme that tackles barriers many of us do not even think about in our day-to-day lives, which to me is what makes its impact so incredible.
We collaborated with them by donating £1,000 worth of essential items and bringing together a team of staff to volunteer on the day, from our Resident Liaison Officers on the ground to colleagues in admin and IT. During our time there, we helped put together and distribute over 60 warm packs filled with items such as hand warmers, sanitary products, water and protein bars. In the grand scheme of things, it may seem like a small act, but to me it felt immediate and tangible. At the same time, we also got a deep dive into the coffee world and ethical bean farming, which included trying our hand at barista training. For me, that was a brief return to my old barista days.
What stayed with me most, though, was the reminder of how important it is to challenge perceptions. It’s so easy for society to view homelessness through a narrow lens, but experiences like this reinforce the importance of seeing people for who they are, not the situations they find themselves in. My team and I are still trying to break those perceptions every day.
This initiative also deepened my appreciation for the creative side of Social Value. While we often work towards clear targets shaped by each client’s priorities, whether that’s reducing crime, improving wellbeing, or supporting employment, the way we get there is not fixed. In my opinion, great Social Value delivery requires curiosity, openness, and a grander thinking than just ‘ticking a box’ and doing your job.
And when you start working with charities and organisations who are already doing amazing things, you realise you’re not doing it alone. Everyone’s pushing towards the same goal. That’s something that gives me a lot of motivation.
Another initiative that I really enjoyed organising and delivering was the Roofing Masterclass we delivered at STC Group College.
Going into it, it was meant to be a two-day training course, something to give learners some hands-on experience and insight into roofing. But it quickly turned into something more than that.
There was a real buzz about it. The learners were properly engaged, asking questions, getting involved, and really enjoying it. Even other students on-site kept coming in to see what was going on, most likely because of the fire torch! It didn’t feel like a normal college day.
What I personally loved was seeing everyone come together to make it happen. Our suppliers Bauder and subcontractors Opus weren’t just there to deliver something because they had to, they actually cared. You could tell they wanted to pass on their knowledge and give something back.
The best part of this whole thing was what came after. Four L&Q residents ended up in paid placements, which is amazing in itself. But it was the things people said that stayed with me more than anything.
As we kept in touch and tracked their progress, one person said it was their first real job in construction. Another said they finally felt like they belonged on-site. Someone else settled in so well they were asked to move on to another job, and one has even gone on to start training others on-site.
That’s the kind of thing you don’t forget - it’s not just the training, it’s giving someone a starting point.
This year has also shown me how important it is to stick with what works.
Our relationship with the Seddon Centre in Waltham Forest is a really good example of that. It’s not a big, flashy place, but it’s full of life and feels like a genuine community.
We’ve supported Seddon Centre in various ways, including events, activities, and even laptop donations for those who don’t have access to one. Even though it is part of my work, I always find myself attending their events, whether it's the Christmas parties or community days; the energy they leave me with is palpable. Despite everyone coming from different backgrounds and ages, there's always a sense of unity. In that community, we are all the same.
One of my favourite memories is from the community garden we helped improve. Speaking to residents who use it regularly, including someone who’s 102, really puts things into perspective. That space isn’t just a garden, it’s part of people’s routine, their wellbeing, and social life.
And that’s the thing with Social Value, sometimes the impact isn’t immediate or grandiose, it builds over time into something more.
Upon reflection, the biggest thing I have taken away is how important people and partnerships are.
The best outcomes never come from doing something on your own. They come from working with the right people, whether that’s your team, your supply chain, or local organisations.
It’s easy to get caught up in targets and competition, but when you step back, everyone is trying their best to make things better for the communities they serve and work in.
For me, that’s what Social Value should always come back to.
Not just what we deliver, but how we do it, and who we do it with.
Because at the end of the day, the numbers will always be about the people behind them.
To see how different sectors are delivering true Social Value to communities across the UK, explore our success stories.