Environmental & Social Value
Social Value is deeply embedded within the Ashfield Group Ethos Vision.
The government has allocated £11.5 billion to the Affordable Homes Programme, with £499.13 million directed to the Yorkshire and Humber region, including £89 million specifically invested in West Yorkshire.
With an annual turnover of £8m Ashfield Group are a SME sized privately owned Construction Company handling in the region of 6 to 7 projects annually. Our aim is:
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To share the skills, knowledge and expertise of the Company and our project partners with local communities, particularly focusing on those who experience the most disadvantage and discrimination.
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To deliver local sustainable economic growth by prioritising investment in local businesses, specifically creating opportunity for apprentices, trades and graduates.
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To involve local communities throughout the entire project lifecycle to ensure that the long term social, economic, and environmental benefits of projects are realised.
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To mitigate the environmental and sustainability impacts of construction.
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To support fair employment by our consultants, contractors, and their supply chains, and fair treatment of supply chains.
Scouts 17th SW Leeds
Whilst working on our social housing development on Wesley Rd, Armley. Our neighbours, the local 17th SW Leeds Scout club installed hedgehog shelters that they had built.
An initiative we hoped would be educational for the Scouts, who will be closely monitoring and maintaining the shelters, whilst also supporting the local wildlife.
Joel Ramsden of Ashfield Group commented:
“At Ashfield Group, we are proud to support both biodiversity and the local community, while also investing in the development of the next generation of construction professionals. We are always looking for meaningful ways to demonstrate our commitment to environmental and social engagement.
This project provided the perfect opportunity; it gave students and scouts valuable hands-on experience, helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. It enabled young people to develop practical skills, build confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of sustainable construction practices, all while delivering real ecological benefits.
The close proximity of the college and scout hut to the project site also allowed us to reduce our carbon footprint, aligning with our goals for environmental responsibility.
The scouts and students have done an amazing job, and we are extremely proud of their efforts.”
This initiative reflects Ashfield Group’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, education, and local partnerships, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling environmental challenges.
Leeds College of Building
At Ashfield Group, we’re proud to be supporting both biodiversity and the next generation of construction professionals through an exciting collaboration with Leeds College of Building.
As part of our project at Wesley Road in Armley, Leeds, we reached out to the college to explore how we could work together to provide hands-on experience for students while enhancing the site’s ecological value. This partnership brought together our shared goals of education, sustainability, and community engagement.
One area identified for collaboration was giving students the opportunity to work on real-world, practical projects. With biodiversity high on our agenda, the idea to build bug houses was the perfect fit, it offering students valuable experience while providing local insect populations with safe, sustainable habitats.
We issued a simple design brief and, thanks to the generous support of Travis Perkins, who donated the materials, the students were able to take full creative ownership of the project. Their enthusiasm, craftsmanship, and attention to detail were outstanding, the finished insect boxes were beautifully made and perfectly matched our requirements.
The college’s close proximity to the site meant we also kept our carbon footprint to a minimum, aligning with our commitment to environmental responsibility.
A huge thank you to Leeds College of Building, the talented students, and our supplier partner. This project was a great example of how industry and education can work together for environmental and social good. We look forward to many more collaborations in the future.
Leeds Children's Charity - Lineham Farm
Located in the rural village of Eccup, Leeds, Lineham Farm is home to Leeds Children's Charity, an organisation dedicated to creating meaningful respite experiences for some of the most disadvantaged children in our community.
At the farm, children are given opportunities many may never have experienced before, from interacting with animals and learning how to care for them, to exploring the vast woodland and open spaces. Whether it's grooming animals, observing wildlife, or taking part in sessions in the taxidermy classroom, every experience is designed to inspire curiosity and connection with nature.
Beyond this, the farm encourages children to stay active and engaged through a wide range of outdoor activities including, climbing frames, archery and cycling. All clothing and equipment are provided, ensuring every child can fully participate.
There's just as much to enjoy indoors too, with facilities such as an indoor climbing wall, games room and kitchen. not only are hot meals provided but children also have the opportunity to get involved in baking and develop valuable life skills.
Lineham Farm offers both day visits and longer residential stays. While referrals can be made directly through their website, many come from schools and local youth organisations who recognise the positive impact these experiences can have. With 20% of children in Leeds living in poverty, rising as high as 55% in some areas, the importance of initiatives like this cannot be overstated. the work being done at Lineham Farm is truly life-changing for many young people.
Ashfield were proud to support their Easter egg collection campaign by donating over 150 Easter eggs. We hope this small gesture helps bring joy to children accross Leeds, ensuring they can experience the happiness of the season, regardless of their circumstances.
If you would like to donate to this fabulous charity please click the link below.
