Amey has successfully collaborated with its long-term workforce solutions partner Hays to establish the pioneering Amey Hays Social Enterprise Initiative.
Leveraging the combined expertise and networks of both Amey and Hays, the initiative provided 145 hours of tailored support including 73 hours of mentoring, 65.5 hours of subject matter expertise, and 6.5 hours dedicated to supporting community-led events. This support was delivered to four selected Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations within the infrastructure and workforce solutions sectors over a 12-month period. The programme empowered these VCSEs to strengthen their operations, fast-track their growth and secure future opportunities.
Each VCSE was awarded £10,000 in grants to fund business improvement opportunities identified through the programme. The initiative generated £104,334 in social value, as measured by the (Thrive Impact Evaluation Standard). Standing Tall, a social enterprise that pairs those suffering with homelessness into stable real living wage jobs, secured a contract with Amey and now make up a part of Amey’s inclusive recruitment supply chain and can be utilised for future roles, further demonstrating the initiative’s impact.
With the successful completion of the first cohort, Amey has significantly enhanced the capabilities of its VCSE partners, strengthening their business operations and identifying opportunities for them to win work within Amey’s supply chain. The programme serves as a blueprint for organisations aiming to support the VCSE sector and expand their social impact. As the Social Enterprise Initiative moves into the second cohort, which will start in the Autumn, Amey and Hays plan to incorporate lessons learned and recommendations from Social Enterprise UK; this will help to further improve the programme, support more social enterprises and contribute to their collective vision of a prosperous social value economy.
Emily Davies, ESG Director for Amey, said: “We are thrilled with the success of this programme, particularly in seeing how our grants and mentorship have empowered VCSE organisations to grow their operations and secure work winning opportunities, including within Amey's own supply chain. Collaborating with Hays through a shared commitment of reducing economic, social, and environmental inequalities has been central to delivering this initiative, together creating social value for the communities in which we operate.”
Elisabetta Bayliss, COO of Enterprise Solutions at Hays, said: “By partnering with Amey on this initiative, we’ve been able to combine our expertise and resources, provide substantial support to VCSE organisations – ultimately helping them to enhance their operations and secure new opportunities. This collaboration underscores the power of partnership in driving meaningful social impact and supporting local communities. We are proud to contribute to a programme that not only delivers significant social value but also aligns with our commitment to invest in lifelong partnerships that empower people and businesses to succeed.”
Christy Acton, CEO and Founder for Standing Tall, said: “Amey and Hays have helped us in lots of practical ways to improve what we do; our contracts, payment terms improving our cash flow, build our CRM system and they’ve introduced me to a range of Hays Account Managers with the possibility of more jobs with employer partners. Amey’s videographer is helping us with our videos, and they’ve also given 2 jobs at a total value of £7,000 to us over the next 12 months.”
Andy Daly, Head of Procurement at Social Enterprise UK, said: “It’s great to see this initiative to build capacity in social enterprises, which contribute so much to our economy and society but are often not recognised or supported. By enabling social enterprises to supply major organisations like Amey and Hays, this Programme can help to drive real positive change for people and planet, so we look forward to seeing its impact continue to grow.”
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