At LiveWest, we are committed to creating sustainable communities and working closely with our partners to deliver meaningful social value initiatives.
As part of Social Value Leadership Group’s Social Value Week, we are showcasing some of the projects we have delivered in recent months that have made a positive difference to people’s lives.
What is social value?
Social value refers to the positive impact we have on society, whether it’s to create more sustainable communities, supporting customers, or taking measures to protect the environment. It’s about creating projects which have lasting benefits for communities.
Our contractors and partners play a vital role in delivering social value. Together, we improve community facilities, provide community activities, and deliver projects that matter.
Some highlights from recent months
We deliver a wide range of social value projects, from supporting community gardens to creating new facilities for our customers.
We collaborate not only with contractors but also with local organisations to bring these projects to life. Here’s a closer look at some of our recent social value projects:
Supporting Barne Barton’s community larder and community room
After listening to customers about what their community needs, our Community Connector Alison Knight helped set up the Community Larder Food Project, where customers volunteer.
Alongside this project, with support from our contractors, Bell Group and Harmony Fire, we have increased the quantity and quality of food available. Bell Group also redecorated the community room, volunteered at events, and helped us purchase children’s books for the community library.
With food contributions, we have hosted drop-in sessions where customers can enjoy a coffee and chat. We’ve also connected customers with a Plymouth-based organisation for energy advice. Continue reading more here.
Supported housing customers at Torbay Foyer welcome a new communal kitchen
Young people at Torbay Foyer now have a transformed kitchen—changing from an industrial space to a warm, homely environment. This project encourages healthy living, independence, and social connection through shared cooking experiences.
LiveWest apprentices and volunteers led the transformation, supported by generous donations from Howdens, City Electrical Factors, Jewson Partnership Solutions, Fibo UK, Vaillant Group, Bradfords Building Supplies, Rexel, and Cobwebs South West.
Talika Wright, a LiveWest customer who reflected on the project, said: “It’s really good. There are dishwashers here, we are young people, we are teenagers and at the end of the day we hate doing our dishes.
“It will help people who want to work as a chef by being in a more professional kitchen. It will be good for more socialisation and cooking groups, helping young people how to cook and develop life skills. It will be really good.” Find out more about the foyer upgrades here.
A community fridge opens to support families and reduce food waste
To reduce food waste and support local families, we partnered with Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust to launch a community fridge and larder at St James C of E Primary School in Okehampton.
Through our social value initiative, Jewson Partnership Solutions donated all the materials to build the larder, while the school’s catering contractor supplies regular food donations. Continue reading more about the community larder here.