Social Value Strategy

Building On Our Foundations: Social Value Strategy 2026/2027

Our vision Story Contracting are incredibly proud of our motto of ‘Doing it Right’ and this means looking after, and standing by, our clients, our communities, our people and our supply chain.

Our overarching business strategy is committed to continually investing in our social value activities, reducing our carbon footprint and protecting and enhancing the diverse habitats we work in.

Marie Whitehead Communications & Engagement Director

We take our social value responsibilities very seriously and see them as an integrated part of the delivery of our projects and frameworks. We believe that strong communities make for better and more sustainable businesses, and because of that we work with our clients, local authorities and a wide variety of organisations to deliver social value activity that is meaningful and long term.

We are committed to developing and promoting our directly employed workforce, looking after their careers, as well as their health and wellbeing, and everyone at #TeamStory is offered training and development opportunities.

Our strategy is reviewed every year by our social value and sustainability teams, and we ensure that we build into the plan the risks and opportunities these activities bring, as well as focusing on particular needs and issues faced regionally and nationally. We strive to improve what we do each year, measuring and calculating our social value outputs and outcomes to inform the next years activity.

Our commitments The 2026/2027 Social Value Strategy sets out our key focus areas for the next 12 months, and looks back on our successes for the previous year. Our regional teams from across the UK support local communities based on their needs, as well as delivering outputs for key clients.

Our focus areas for the coming 12 months reflect the national social value model, and we will continue to use Thrive, The Rail Social Value Tool and Social Value Portal to measure our success and impact.

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Skills for growth • 100 young people take part in Story Summer School • 5,000 children engaged with STEM activities and careers advice • All Line Managers at Story completing a 2 day mandatory line management training course

Employability • Support 3 EDI events each year promoting the importance of a diverse workforce • Achieve Level 3 Disability Confident Employer status

Supporting our supply chain • Maintain 60% of supplier spend with SME’s • Roll out our supply chain sustainability programme • Support at least 20 SME’s per year through Story Start Up and our social value supply chain initiatives

Workplace diversity & inclusion • We will deliver a second work placement with People First building on the success and lessons learned from the 2024/25 programme • Our Every Story working group will continue to work with all colleagues to promote diversity and continually improve our EDI policies and processes.

Health & Wellbeing • Have 10% of all employees as Mental Health First Aiders • Deliver Health and wellbeing training to all employees • Engage 500 school children per year through Rail Safe Friendly • Train 20 more line managers in suicide recognition

Reduction of crime • Continue to expand our partnership with Category D prisons to help employ more people in full time roles on release from prison – we will commit to 4 per year and 8 work experience placements per year.

• We will employ one apprentice this year from the Gilford Centre and develop a blueprint for how this can be expanded and what support/ adjustments we need to make to sustain employment.

Sustainable procurement • Publish all of our carbon reduction results and initiatives • Work with Rebuild to develop a similar facliity in the North East in partnership with Northumbrian Water Group showcasing what can be done in 10 year frameworks

Fair work • Pay all colleagues at least real living wage • Maintain EAP and Cash Health Plan for everyone 3

Skills for growth With over 1,100 employees from Aberdeen to London, Story Contracting is committed to creating local employment and upskilling opportunities wherever we operate. We invest in our people through our award-winning in-house training centre, which delivers more than 30,000 hours of training and over 9,000 courses annually to ensure our workforce has the skills needed to deliver safely and effectively.

Since 2021, our Story Summer School programme has provided students aged 14–17 with early exposure to careers in construction and rail. Participants meet senior leaders, apprentices, and graduates across a range of disciplines, gaining real insight into the industry.

Those who take part are offered extended placements and guaranteed interviews for future apprentice and graduate roles.

We also engage with over 5,000 school pupils each year through STEM workshops, career talks, mentoring, and attendance at employment events helping to build a diverse, skilled pipeline of future talent.

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Case Studies Caldew School Work Experience We played a leading role in delivering a three-day work experience programme as part of the Carlisle Southern Link Road project, working alongside Cumberland Council and key supply chain partners to give 130 students from Caldew School hands-on exposure to careers in construction - culminating in an on-site visit that showcased Story’s work and inspired the next generation of talent in infrastructure.

Story Summer School Since 2021, we have delivered a nationwide Summer School programme, originally launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, to provide virtual work experience for students when in-person opportunities were not possible. Since then, the programme has grown into an annual, in-person event held in four locations across the UK, offering young people hands-on insight into careers in construction, civil engineering, and rail. To date, the initiative has supported over 200 students, helping to develop skills, boost confidence, and inspire the next generation to consider careers in the industry.

Year in industry placements Each year, we run a structured Year in Industry programme, working in partnership with universities across the UK to provide undergraduate engineers with hands-on experience across live projects. The programme offers students the opportunity to apply their academic learning in real-world settings, gain valuable industry insight, and develop the practical skills needed to succeed in a future career in construction or rail. Many go on to return to Story after graduation through our graduate scheme.

Chelsea Murray Chelsea joined Story as an Apprentice in 2018 and progressed to Plant Operator in 2020; supported by the business to develop her skills through training and further qualifications, she completed her Crane Controller and Lift Planner courses, moving into the role of Plant Safety Leader in 2023 - she now leads the Carlisle depot team, overseeing safety-critical planning, mentoring new starters, and delivering key site briefings.

Leadership Programme Since its launch, our Leadership Programme has developed 29 employees across three cohorts, providing a structured blend of practical training, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration to build confidence, leadership capability, and support career progression - strengthening the company’s internal pipeline of future leaders.

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Employability We’re committed to employing, training, and developing local talent by working closely with employability partners across the UK. Through collaborations with organisations such as Inspira, APEX, Developing the Young Workforce, and Routes to Work – as well as schools, colleges, and universities – we provide meaningful work experience, careers advice, and hands-on training on our construction sites.

These partnerships have opened doors for many individuals to gain valuable experience and skills, with several progressing into full-time roles with Story Contracting or within our supply chain.

As part of our inclusive approach to recruitment, we are proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.

We also work with organisations including All Together Cumbria, Aid & Abet, and Haverigg Prison to help ensure our employment opportunities are accessible to all.

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Case Studies Armed Forces Covenant In July 2023, Story Contracting proudly received the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the highest level of accolade, in recognition of our continued support to veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and their families. With over 45 ex-Service personnel in our team, we offer a guaranteed interview to all Service leavers, provide 10 extra paid days for Reservists, and champion careers in construction and rail for those transitioning from military life.

Disability Confident Employer In 2024, Story achieved Level 2 Disability Confident Employer status, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all. With a goal to reach Level 3 accreditation by 2025, we continue to take meaningful steps to attract, recruit, and retain disabled talent. As part of this commitment, we partnered with James Rennie School and All Together Cumbria to offer two young individuals a six-week work placement, providing valuable experience and insight into the world of work.

Billy Stafford Billy Stafford joined Story Contracting through a work experience placement with Inspira after a period of long-term unemployment and has since progressed from General Operative to Trainee Engineer – gaining site experience across major projects and being supported

by Story through funded study, on-the-job training, and mentorship as he works towards a Level 4 Civil Engineering qualification at Lakes College.

Howarths Foundation We are working in partnership with Howarths Foundation to support individuals who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness in their return to long-term employment. As part of this, Story has contributed to funding the wages of one of the foundations clients and donated five laptops and phones to help others access training, job opportunities, and ongoing support.

Gender diversity We are strengthening gender diversity by offering every woman in Story access to mentoring, personalised development plans, and inclusive talent reviews, alongside delivering management training on gender bias, psychological safety, and harassment, and hosting company-wide menopause awareness sessions to foster a more supportive and inclusive workplace.

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Supporting our supply chain With our roots as an SME, we recognise the unique value that small and medium-sized enterprises bring to both our supply chain and the wider industry.

This insight shapes how we work with, support, and invest in SMEs. We support SMEs by: • Actively seeking out SME suppliers and partners • Encouraging our teams to prioritise locally based SMEs where feasible • Supporting local SMEs looking to enter or grow within the construction and rail sectors • Exploring opportunities to invest in SMEs to help expand their capacity and capability • Collaborating with SMEs to understand their business goals and align future opportunities accordingly Our commitment is reflected in our figures - over 60% of our supplier spend goes to SMEs. We work closely with our supply chain to ensure our values around health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, and social value are consistently upheld.

This includes supporting partners to understand these priorities and embed them into their delivery on our behalf.

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Case Studies Story Start Up Story Contracting’s Story Start Up programme is a dedicated business support initiative designed to empower entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises in the construction and infrastructure sectors by offering tailored financial support - ranging from grants to equity investment - alongside expert mentoring from Story’s in-house professionals in areas such as finance, marketing, and health & safety, helping new and growing businesses to launch, scale, and thrive within the industry.

Supply Chain Key Account Management (KAM) As part of our commitment to delivering social value through strong, sustainable partnerships, we run a Key Account Management (KAM) initiative - a strategic and collaborative programme focused on identifying and working closely with our most impactful Supply Chain Partners to align on shared goals, drive performance, and create long-term social, economic, and environmental value.

Supply Chain Charter Our Supply Chain Charter was developed to strengthen these partnerships by setting out shared principles that promote mutual benefit, trust, and long-term success. By signing up to the Charter, all parties commit to building collaborative, transparent, and rewarding relationships that enhance project outcomes and support continuous improvement.

RSG’s work pipeline visibility charter We are the first contractors to have backed the Work Pipeline Visibility Charter, demonstrating our commitment to share work pipeline information with our suppliers. This allows our Supply Chain to plan and invest with confidence, driving improvements in productivity, collaboration, and delivery of outcomes.

Collaborative Social Value Supply Chain Working Group In 2025, we launched a Social Value Supply Chain Working Group to strengthen collaboration and deliver long-term community impact.

The group’s first joint initiative is ‘The Lodge’ - a project to refurbish a disused building in Carlisle into a practical training space for Carlisle College trade students. By working together, Story and its partners will provide hands-on learning opportunities for young people, support skills development in the local area, and bring a vacant community asset back into use.

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Workplace diversity and inclusion We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and supported, regardless of background, gender, race, disability or sexual orientation. Our ‘Every Story’ working group leads this work, embedding EDI across the business.

We support a diverse talent pipeline by: • Embedding EDI in our policies and processes • Delivering regular inclusivity training • Monitoring and improving workforce diversity • Engaging with local communities to understand and respond to their needs • Partnering with schools, colleges and employment networks to widen access to careers in construction and rail We continue to take practical steps to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve.

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Case Studies

People First work placement We partnered with People First to deliver a five-week summer programme supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism, offering hands-on experience in construction, tailored mentoring, and on-site learning opportunities - demonstrating our commitment to creating inclusive pathways into the industry.

Every Story As part of our commitment to eliminating discrimination and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, we established the ‘Every Story’ working group - a platform for employees to share their voices and help shape our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. Alongside this, we support local events that celebrate diversity and actively promote a culture where all employees feel empowered, supported, and confident to challenge unacceptable behaviour.

LGBTQIA+ (Pride by the Harbourside) As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer that values and respects everyone equally, we support Pride and multicultural events across the UK. We recently took part in Proud and Diverse Cumbria’s ‘Pride by the Harbourside’ – a vibrant event bringing communities together to celebrate individuality and inclusion.

Alongside local organisations, we engaged visitors with glitter art and face painting, while showcasing our work and commitment to a

Inspiring future talent through a diverse Summer School In summer 2025, we partnered with King Edward VI Aston School where 65% of students are Muslim - to deliver a tailored summer school, providing hands-on work experience in construction and engineering to a group of diverse, high-potential young people.

The programme gave students from underrepresented backgrounds early exposure to careers in our industry, helping to break down barriers, build confidence, and demonstrate that there is a place for everyone in construction.

Faith and Culture Awareness at Work To promote inclusion and respect across a multi-faith workforce, we introduced a series of awareness sessions and practical adjustments to support religious and cultural diversity on site and in offices.

This included creating quiet spaces for prayer and reflection, accommodating flexible shift arrangements during religious observances such as Ramadan, and running Lunch & Learn sessions led by employees sharing their cultural experiences.

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Health and wellbeing At Story Contracting, we believe that supporting the health and wellbeing of our people and the communities we work in is fundamental to delivering meaningful social value. Our culture of care empowers employees to reach their full potential - contributing to personal wellbeing, safer working environments, and operational excellence - while also delivering positive impact beyond our sites.

We take a proactive approach to wellbeing through our Wellbeing at Work Framework, centred on four key pillars: healthy people, healthy minds, healthy places, and a healthy culture.

From daily check-ins and formal health screenings to targeted mental health support, we ensure our workforce is equipped with the resources they need to stay safe, healthy, and supported.

Our support includes access to external health services, mental health resources, and practical tools to encourage selfcare. We also actively engage our supply chain and communities to promote wider wellbeing through education, outreach, and prevention.

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Case Studies Mental Health Support Story supports employee wellbeing with 120 trained Mental Health First Aiders, who can be easily identified through our ‘Fancy a brew?’ branding on hard hats, lanyards and emails. We host regular ‘State of Mind’ sessions, and offer an Employee Assistance Programme offering six free counselling sessions per person for all colleagues. We’ve also raised over £10,000 for mental health charities including 42nd Street, Mind, and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Health and wellbeing support at Story We’re committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of colleagues through our Story Health Support scheme, which covers up to £150 per year for medical expenses, and our new Employee Assistance Programme delivered by Health Assured, providing free, confidential support for mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing to all colleagues.

Suicide awareness and prevention We have introduced a five-stage suicide prevention programme, training 4% of our workforce in suicide recognition (safeTALK), partnering with charities like Samaritans and State of Mind, and working with local authorities and British Transport Police to reduce risks at high-hazard locations—such as railway lines, bridges, and remote sites near communities—where vulnerable individuals may be at greater risk, helping to protect both our workforce and the public.

Rail Safe Friendly We have partnered with Rail Safe Friendly for over two years, supporting the delivery of rail safety education to children and young people across the UK; through this partnership, we help schools access vital resources that raise awareness of railway hazards and promote safe behaviour- particularly in high-risk areas - contributing to community wellbeing and helping to prevent future accidents or incidents near the rail network.

Financial wellbeing support We offer a range of financial wellbeing support, including retail discounts through Story Extras, a Christmas Savings Scheme, healthcare cost support, short-term loans, and death-in-service cover.

Colleagues can also access financial education through webinars, retirement planning workshops, and confidential advice via the Employee Assistance Programme.

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Reduction of crime Story works in partnership with local organisations, the police, and His Majesty’s Prison Service to help reduce crime and reoffending in the communities where we operate.

Our approach includes: • Designing out crime in our projects through thoughtful design, effective site security, lighting and CCTV • Providing employment and training opportunities for ex-offenders and individuals on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), helping them reintegrate into the workforce • Engaging with young people through community groups to offer positive pathways and alternatives to crime • Supporting local initiatives through volunteering, drop-in sessions, and community outreach to build safer, stronger neighbourhoods By combining practical design measures with inclusive employment and community engagement, we aim to contribute to long-term positive outcomes in the areas we serve.

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Case Studies HMP Haverigg As part of our commitment to supporting offenders into sustainable employment, Story Contracting has partnered with Haverigg Prison in Cumbria to offer opportunities through Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). Two individuals, John and Jordan, have joined our site teams while completing industry training to help them build skills and confidence ahead of their release. This initiative supports rehabilitation through structured employment and a clear pathway into full-time work. We have also just given Joe four weeks paid experience before his release date in August. We are paying for some additional training so he will have a better chance of employment when he moves home to Southern England.

Community engagement in Horden, Peterlee As part of building a new station in Horden - one of the most deprived areas in England - Story Contracting hosted a community drop-in with Network Rail, Northern, and British Transport Police to consult residents, address safety concerns, and explain how crime prevention measures like lighting and CCTV were built into the design, helping to create a safer, more connected neighbourhood.

The Gillford Centre We partner with The Gillford Centre - a pupil referral unit in Carlisle supporting young people at risk of exclusion - delivering STEM sessions, industry taster days, and a bespoke apprenticeship to offer positive pathways into employment and help reduce the risk of future offending.

Carlisle Youth Zone We have supported Carlisle Youth Zone as a charity partner for the past three years, providing over £10,000 in funding as well as mentoring, STEM activities, and volunteer support to improve the facility, which offers a safe space for young people - particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds - and helps reduce the risk of crime by providing meaningful opportunities and guidance.

Carlisle Matters In 2025, we worked with Cumberland Council and Carlisle Matters to develop a community garden at Botcherby Community Centre to support people experiencing hardship and trauma. We worked with our supply chain who provided labour and materials free, and we used over 150 Story volunteering hours to deliver the project.

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Sustainable procurement At Story, sustainable procurement is central to how we source goods, services, and materials -balancing value for money with environmental, social, and economic responsibility. We’ve introduced a Sustainable Supply Chain Charter to guide our approach and help us track progress across our supply chain.

Read the charter Our focus areas include: • Environmental: Sustainable Procurement is a key objective within our Environmental Sustainability Strategy which aims to promote the adoption of more environmentally friendly options, including carbon reduction.

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Social: Promoting fair labour practices, local sourcing, and encouraging our suppliers to embed equality, diversity and inclusion.

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Economic: Considering whole life costs and supporting innovation to reduce future repair or replacement needs.

Through this approach, we aim to make more responsible, future-focused procurement decisions across our projects.

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Case Studies Carbon reduction We are targeting net zero by 2050 with Science Based Targets, including a 46% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, supported by a senior-led steering group, zero Scope 2 emissions through renewable electricity, a 90% EV or hybrid fleet, solar power at our Carlisle office, and supplier engagement through SBTi and the Supply Chain Sustainability School.

Browney Curve The Browney Curve project achieved a carbon saving of 10,251.8 tCO₂e by removing pile caps, redesigning with non-prime steel, using lowcarbon concrete, sourcing 100,000t of local stone, switching to mains electricity, and opting for bulk fuel deliveries. This set a new benchmark for sustainable rail delivery and resulted in the project winning the ‘Carbon’ award category at the 2025 Network Rail SHELT Awards.

Waste minimisation To embed circular economy thinking into our way of working we have integrated the principles into our Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP). This has ensured our project teams reuse, repurpose, or redeploy surplus resources, minimise use of resources, design out waste and plastic pollution. This has achieved our target over the last three years of diverting 95% of waste from landfill.

Supporting a circular economy As part of our circular economy efforts, Story supports The Rebuild Site – a Cumbria social enterprise - by donating surplus materials from our projects and helping them expand their operations into West Cumbria through the construction of a new hub, enabling greater reuse of construction materials and increased community impact.

Working with local SMEs As part of our commitment to reducing transport emissions and supporting the local economy, we prioritised local suppliers on two projects in Millom for Cumberland Council and the Millom Town Deal - spending £584,305.00 with local contractors to date, hosting two ‘Meet the Contractor’ events to encourage engagement, and offering mentoring to help selected businesses grow and access future opportunities.

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Fair work Story ensure fair employment practices which include fair and open recruitment and selection processes using a diverse panel, paying everyone at least real living wage, and above the national average for our industry. We keep people safe and well at work, giving all staff access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Cash Health Plan and training with our inhouse award winning training team.

Our inclusive work environment is driven by our ‘Every Story’ working group who ensure everyone is welcomed and feels part of #TeamStory. We have several policies that support our fair employment including Dignity at Work, Home and Agile Working, Flexible Working, Equal Opportunities, Menopause, Miscarriage, Carers and Mental Health.

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