SOCIAL VALUE IMPACT REPORT
2025
Contents Welcome
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Our Social Value Story
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Supplier Spotlight
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Helping People:
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Bloom & Furniture Resource Centre: North Tyneside
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Esh Group: County Durham
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Albany Contract Furniture: Newcastle
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Bunzl Greenham: Gateshead
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Wave Utilities: Newcastle
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Jewson Partnership Solutions: Newcastle
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BAM Construction: County Durham
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Esh Group: Stockton
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Wilmott Dixon: Darlington
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Brakes, JJ Foodservice & Pioneer Foodservice: Newcastle & Gateshead
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Helping Communities:
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County Durham Pound
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VolkerStevin: Sunderland
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Compass Developments: Northumberland
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Albany Contract Furniture: Tees Valley
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Esh Group: Newcastle
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Oxygen Finance: Northumberland, Middlesbrough & South Tyneside
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Bloom Procurement Services: Hartlepool
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Helping the Environment:
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EDF Energy: Northumberland
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Wave Utilities: County Durham
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T. Manners & Sons Ltd: Redcar & Cleveland
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Muckle LLP: North East & Tees Valley
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Bloom Procurement Services: Redcar & Cleveland
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Bloom Procurement Services: County Durham
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Forward Look
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Keep up to date Interested in our social value delivery? Follow us on Instagram for all our latest social value case studies: @wearenepo Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news, events and case studies: NEPO (North East Procurement Organisation) Check out all of NEPO’s procurement solutions on our website: nepo.org
Welcome Welcome to our fourth annual social value impact report. This report reflects a period of significant change, challenge and opportunity within the public sector procurement arena. Despite all the changes faced we have continued to ensure that social value remains at the heart of our collaborative procurement programme. The Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) places greater emphasis on social value by the shift to ‘Most Advantageous Tender’ and the new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) further strengthened this. The latter integrates social value into the definition of value for money and requires public authorities to consider social and economic benefits in their strategies. The new policy statement also requires public bodies to go beyond securing social value commitments and to ensure they are delivered through effective contract management. Against this heightened expectation for social value, we have reflected on the social value activities delivered across NEPO and our Member Authorities. From this we present a range of fantastic stories which give credit and recognition to the suppliers and local partners who have helped to achieve important benefits and outcomes. In showcasing these examples, we also give others insight and understanding on what a positive approach to social value can do for our local people, communities and environment. In addition to highlighting what’s been achieved I am also proud to identify NEPO’s role in supporting our Member Authorities achieve greater levels of social value success. This goes beyond our core collaborative procurement programme and reflects the work we have led on the Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme and our Strategic Advisory and Resources Hub.
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Social value remains at the heart of our collaborative procurement programme, and through the Procurement Act 2023, we’re ensuring that these commitments are not only secured but delivered for our local people, communities and environment.
Nicola Shelley Managing Director
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Our Social Value Story NEPO continues to champion social value in a number of innovative ways. Our commitment is reflected in the role we play as social value ambassadors, demonstrated through a variety of initiatives and activities that promote and embed social value across the region. This report covers the period from August 2024 to September 2025, and includes our rolling programme of collaborative procurements, providing social, economic and environmental benefits that can make a real difference to the communities we serve. We have supported suppliers through the NEPO Supplier Partnership Programme (NSPP) to help them understand what social value means and how it can be addressed in their business. We have also worked with Member Authorities on social value projects through the Strategic Advisory Hub and we have led the development and roll out of the Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme. In addition to all of this we have also provided direct support through our own social value activities delivered by our staff.
NEPO Supplier Partnership Programme The NEPO Supplier Partnership Programme (NSPP) is a continuous programme of free online training support for regional suppliers designed to help them to engage with and be successful in bidding for public sector contracts. Over the reporting period, we have delivered:
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127
74
68
social value training courses
registrations from regional suppliers
attendees
unique businesses
NEPO Strategic Advisory Hub Driving Social Value across the Region Our newly established Strategic Advisory Hub plays a pivotal role in supporting member authorities and key associates in advancing their social value ambitions. Since its launch, the Hub has facilitated a range of engagements, from peer reviews and the development of joint action plans to acting as a trusted critical friend on the key topic of social value. These activities have helped assess progress, support teams in aligning with national policy, and foster a culture of ambition.
The Hub is proving to be a valuable asset, working collaboratively with procurement and commercial teams, senior officers, and elected members to enhance expertise, capacity, and capability across the region. As the importance of social value continues to grow, the role of NEPO’s Strategic Advisory Hub is set to expand further, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of strategic support and innovation.
Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme The Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme was developed by NEPO in consultation with our Member Authorities to create a sustainable regional talent pool of procurement professionals. It champions procurement as a career and gives a tailored learning offer for individuals, the sector and the region. Launched in 2024 with a pilot cohort delivered through NEPO, North Tyneside and Sunderland it was expanded in 2025 to deliver training across the whole of the region. Since it began, the programme has demonstrated a number of highlights which include the effective marketing and promotion of the training opportunities resulting in almost 350 applications leading to 16 apprentices and 25 upskillers being appointed. The academic performance and
achievement of these is also showing strong performance with achievement rates increasing from 89% to 93.4%. This success continues to be built on, and plans are underway for the recruitment of further cohorts in 2026.
NEPO’s 2024 cohort of Procurement Apprentices
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NEPO Staff Social Value Actions In addition to championing the benefits of social value we encourage and support our staff through a volunteering policy and programme to enable them to contribute to and benefit from direct action. Over Christmas 2024 NEPO supported local food poverty charity, Feeding Families, as part of their appeal to help the children of families struggling with the cost of living. In response, we coordinated the collection of almost 200 donated selection boxes and cupboard essentials across the tenants of our shared office at the Northern Design Centre.
Volunteering at Northumberland College Zoo In October 2025 Brett Sharkey, NEPO’s Organisational Development Specialist supported the M10 charitable organisation as part of a Represent Programme Day sponsored by our Water Retail supplier Wave. He delivered an afternoon of workshops aimed at Year 10 pupils and how they can get an apprenticeship when they finish their studies. The workshop focused on teamwork and communication, where pupils worked together to create a product for a customer. 5
The NEPO team spreading joy, one selection box at a time In July 2025 NEPO staff supported our sole supplier of our Electricity solution as part of an organised volunteering day to support the Northumberland College Zoo. A variety of tasks were undertaken on the day to support the operation and maintenance of this local college facility which plays a role in training students but is also a popular visitor attraction as well as being involved in important conservation work.
M10 delivers a crucial service to schools helping prepare pupils for employment after school through a range of impactful workshops. This helps build their confidence and raise their aspirations for the future. Brett Sharkey Organisational Development Specialist, NEPO
What we’ve secured since 2024... NEPO’s programme of procurement renewals continued to secure social value outcomes. In the reporting period, nine solutions were renewed with five of these including a requirement to make numerical target commitments. Across the five tenders, 15 awarded suppliers made a total of 147 commitments across 19 different measures with a combined proxy value of £16.6m. Working in partnership with Member Authorities, suppliers and other key stakeholders, NEPO has delivered tangible social value outcomes across the region. Our suppliers have committed to delivering jobs, creating apprenticeships and reducing carbon emissions across the North East as shown below.
426 hours
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local people employed in full time positions
supporting unemployed people into work
£16.1m
£23.8k
local supply chain spend
cash or in-kind donations to local communities
26 weeks
474 hours
of apprenticeship training
of teaching support for local schools and colleges
£2.6k
40 tonnes
of carbon saved through reduced CO2 emissions
cash donations to support reforestation projects
283 hours
volunteering to local community and environmental projects
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Supplier Spotlight The commitments made in our suppliers’ tender responses play a crucial role in delivering the outcomes and impacts of our social value programme. Throughout this report we recognise those that have achieved impactful delivery in partnership with the Member Authorities and local communities. However, several suppliers have delivered significant social value benefits across a range of different projects and locations which merit recognition.
Albany Furniture Our Furniture solution supplier, Albany, worked with several local authorities on their Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes in summer 2024. Building on this they requested ideas for potential similar projects in 2025. Contacts were made with the respective local authority service teams to discuss how cash donations of £2,000 each could be distributed across a variety of different HAF related projects. These focused on
helping children and families struggling with the cost of living and food poverty. In total, five additional projects were supported with one of these featured as a case study under the Community section further in this report.
Bloom Procurement Services As the neutral vendor supplier on the NEPRO Three solution, Bloom have consistently delivered a programme of social value which encompasses a wide range of annual targets which they have surpassed. In this period, they developed a new approach, known as the Catalyst Fund, for the distribution of the cash donations they make as part of their social value programme. They set criteria for the Fund to ensure only small hyperlocal charities or projects who don’t normally attract grant funding can bid for a fixed one-off grant of £500. Calls for
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the grants are managed by NEPO Member Authorities who coordinate and submit on behalf of their local communities. Across the five rounds they have run, so far 24 small charities or local community led projects from across the region have been awarded a total of £11,950.
Version 1 Version 1, the NEPO appointed supplier providing the support, maintenance and development services for the Open system, reported full delivery of their social value offer in August 2025. The activities spanned corporate action on use of local suppliers and the reduction in CO2 emissions for their Newcastle office. Alongside this they committed to targeting tech industry training for local residents and providing grant funding for local start-up SMEs. The trainee commitment was originally four places in their Newcastle Digital Academy but a total of 18 individuals completed the
course. Working with GoSmarta, a total of five SMEs were identified to receive a £1,000 grant to help their business thrive. In addition, they provided a £1,000 grant to the charity Smart Works North East. Smart Works provides unemployed women with free interview-appropriate clothing and interview preparation support, helping them gain the confidence they need to secure employment.
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Helping People Bloom Procurement Services & Furniture Resource Centre: Whitley Bay Street Pastors Severe Weather Activities Whitley Bay Street Pastors provide overnight accommodation for rough sleepers at Oxford Street Methodist Church during severe cold weather, as part of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol. Guests are offered food, drinks and access to facilities, ensuring that anyone experiencing homelessness has a warm, safe place to stay and is connected with organisations that can offer further support. During the winter of 2024/25, the Pastors sought assistance from North Tyneside Council to continue this vital work. In response, the council approached suppliers who had committed to delivering social value as part of their public sector contracts. Two suppliers stepped forward to provide essential support for those relying on the Street Pastors during extreme weather.
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Bloom contributed a £500 grant from its Catalyst Fund, enabling the purchase of new sleeping bags and food vouchers, which allowed the team to provide breakfast for guests after their overnight stay. The Furniture Resource Centre (FRC), a supplier on NEPO’s Furniture solution, donated £200 to purchase a secondhand washer and dryer. Guests are usually offered laundry facilities during their stay, but the existing machine had broken. In addition to funding the replacement, FRC delivered and installed the new machine, allowing the service to resume.
Esh Group:
Kirk Merrington Primary School Sensory Hub As part of the Bishop Auckland Bus Station contract under the NEPO Construction Works solution, Esh demonstrated its commitment to social value by providing vital support for local children with SEND needs. Esh donated staff time and materials to complete the groundworks and construction of a new sensory hub designed to support pupils with additional needs. The school requested assistance due to overcapacity and a growing number of pupils requiring tailored support.
The sensory hub is essential for pupils’ wellbeing, offering a safe and calming environment where they can relax and self-regulate. A team of three Esh groundworkers completed the groundwork over four days, followed by five days of construction by four joiners. Business partner EMCE Electricals contributed by installing lighting and insulation. While the school funded the main building materials, Esh supplied the necessary tools and committed almost 350 volunteer staff hours to complete the project.
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Helping People Albany Contract Furniture: Family room refurbishment at St Oswald’s Hospice St Oswald’s Hospice were looking for help to transform an unused space within the Adult Inpatient Unit into a welcoming, dedicated family room. In response Albany, a supplier on the NEPO Furniture solution, generously contributed £5,000 to help make this vision a reality. The vision for the room included a pullout bed settee, a television, a mini fridge and soft furnishings to create a calm, relaxing environment. This space would give family members and visitors the space to rest, take a break, or even stay overnight while remaining close to their loved ones receiving care.
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Family members and visitors now have somewhere private to rest and recharge, which makes such a difference during difficult days. Jo Nichol Senior Sister Adult Inpatient Unit
Patients in the Unit often have complex needs and typically stay for an average of 19 days, making the presence and support of family members essential to their care and emotional wellbeing. With 4,242 bed days occupied and an average bed occupancy of 81%, the new family room will be a valuable resource for many families throughout the year. It reflects the hospice’s commitment to holistic care, recognising the vital role families play in supporting patients’ wellbeing. While formal feedback from families is still to come, early responses from staff and volunteers have been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the anticipated impact of this dedicated space.
AFTER The donation funded the purchase of furniture, equipment and soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, and curtains. It also covered staff time for planning and the installation work, which was coordinated by the hospice’s facilities team.
It feels like a hotel, it's a calm, comforting space where I could spend time and rest while visiting my loved one. Relative of patient Adult Inpatient Unit
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Helping People Bunzl Greenham:
Resurgo charity supporting underprivileged adults into work As part of its social value commitment Bunzl Greenham, a supplier on NEPO’s Janitorial and Facilities Supplies solution, partnered with the Gateshead-based charity Resurgo. The charity supports young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment, or training and may be facing barriers to work, such as mental health challenges or a criminal record, or simply need guidance to kickstart their careers.
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In March and April 2025, Bunzl hosted two work placement visits at its Gateshead Service Centre for trainees on the Resurgo Spear programme, drawn from Newcastle and Gateshead. The visits included: Presentations from senior Bunzl staff covering HR, customer services and operations. Practical sessions on job roles and distribution processes. Interview techniques.
Trainees also took part in a site tour, engaging with staff in a variety of roles to gain insight into different functions across the business. These experiences provided valuable opportunities to ask questions and understand the skills required for future employment. The total cost of delivering the sessions was £2,000, covering staff time, donated items, and lunch for the trainees. Ahead of the visits, Bunzl challenged trainees to research the business and present their findings on the day. To recognise their effort, Bunzl provided goodie bags containing a selection of work safety equipment supplied as part of its core business. Hannah, Resurgo Trainee, said: “I want to sincerely thank you for making our visit to Bunzl such a positive and memorable experience. Your hospitality, along with the warm welcome from both you and your team, truly stood out to me. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Bunzl, and the insights you
shared were incredibly informative. It was clear that everyone was passionate about what they do which made the visit even more valuable. Thanks again for taking the time to host myself along with my Spear peers, and I look forward to any future opportunities to collaborate.”
Bunzl Greenham’s hospitality, along with the warm welcome from the team, truly stood out to me. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Bunzl, and the insights shared were incredibly informative. It was clear that everyone was passionate about what they do which made the visit even more valuable. Hannah Resurgo Trainee
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Helping People Wave Utilities: M10 Represent Day at Benfield School
Wave Utilities, NEPO’s Water Retail Services supplier, partnered with the charity M10 to deliver a Represent day at Benfield School, Newcastle. This was a full-day event designed to equip Year 10 students with the tools and confidence to secure their first job. The programme featured a series of interactive workshops focused on preparing for the world of work. Sessions included body language tips to help students present themselves effectively in interviews, and a video communication workshop to build skills for online interviews, which are increasingly common.
Other workshops covered Telling Your Story, empowering students to articulate their experiences clearly and confidently, and an interview skills session offering practical advice on structuring answers and distinguishing strong responses from weaker ones. This initiative is expected to give Year 10 students practical insights, essential tools and the confidence they need to prepare for the world of work and secure their first job. Wave contributed significant resources to make the day possible, including two senior staff members who dedicated eight hours each to delivering sessions, as well as a £1,500 cash donation to M10 to organise and run the event on behalf of the school.
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Jewson Partnership Solutions: Newcastle Jobs Fair and Community Support Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS), a supplier on NEPO’s Building Materials and Managed Stores solution, committed to delivering a range of social value initiatives as part of their work with Newcastle City Council. In October 2024, JPS took part in a jobs fair hosted by the council. This involved: Promoting careers within the sector. Engaging with attendees about their business and the roles available within it. Providing QR codes linking to current and upcoming vacancies in the Newcastle area. Giving access to their online modules such as Finding a Job. This engagement led to discussions with Newcastle City Council’s Employability Team about how JPS can become involved in the Green Start Programme which connects social housing tenants with skills and real job opportunities in the green economy. JPS has also strengthened its community support by partnering with Newcastle-based charities, including the Newcastle United Foundation and Building Futures East. In December, the
team purchased a collection of toys for young children in the Byker area, which were distributed through both charities. Donations were delivered in person by JPS staff from the Byker branch, reinforcing their commitment to local engagement. Following this initial collaboration, JPS plans to continue working closely with both organisations to support families and communities in the region.
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Helping People BAM Construction: Wolsingham Causeway Bridge Maintenance Over the summer of 2025, as part of the Wolsingham Causeway Bridge maintenance project, BAM Construction delivered a series of social value activities to support and inspire local communities. BAM partnered with the Foundation for Good, a community organisation that provides alternative education and personal development programmes for young people across County Durham. Working alongside Karbon Homes, Durham University, Farrans Construction and Selwood Ltd, BAM helped prepare the learning centre for the new
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academic year by refreshing the facility, bringing colour, energy and a sense of pride to the space. The impact of this renovation goes far beyond aesthetics. A clean, welcoming, and inspiring environment plays a critical role in helping young people feel valued, safe and motivated to engage. This revitalised space will directly enhance the charity’s ability to deliver transformative outcomes. BAM’s collaboration with Durham Community Action highlights the power of crosssector partnerships in driving social value.
In addition, BAM worked with two schools and RTC North to deliver STEM engagement and careers support to local students. Over 150 Year 5 and 6 pupils from Hartside Primary Academy and Easington Colliery Primary School took part in activities such as Exploring Skills Careers Matching, Build a Tetrahedron Challenge and Kne’x Bridge Building.
BAM also supported the STEM Net Zero Event, which reached more than a thousand KS2 and KS3 students from schools across Durham, Darlington and Teesside. As part of the event, BAM delivered a hands-on Low-Carbon Site Design Challenge, where students designed sustainable construction sites for a hypothetical flood defence project encouraging innovation and awareness of low-carbon solutions in the construction industry. 18
Helping People Esh Group: Stockton Waterfront Urban Park Esh Group was appointed as the main contractor for the Stockton Waterfront Urban Park, a landmark regeneration project commissioned by Stockton-onTees Borough Council through NEPO’s Construction Works framework. Designed to revitalise the town centre, the scheme will introduce vibrant green spaces, modern play areas, and a striking land bridge connecting the High Street with the River Tees. Work commenced in late 2023 and is on track for completion in spring 2026. As part of the contract award, Esh committed to delivering a wide range of
social value initiatives to benefit the local community. These included creating employment opportunities for local residents, engaging with schools and students from Teesside University and Middlesbrough College, and volunteering to support community projects, contributing to a thriving Stockton. Esh provided work placements for two Middlesbrough College T-level students, Callum and Mason, both 17 and residents of Stockton. They completed 45 days on site, working one day per week from September 2024 to August 2025.
Esh has supported my future career goals by helping me improve and learn drastically on site. Having worked on the Urban Project for several months, I feel this will give me an upper hand when applying for jobs. Callum Rosin T-Level Student Middlesbrough College
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Esh strengthened its commitment to diversity in construction by partnering with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Tees Valley to deliver site visits and industry talks to students enrolled in the Future Female Leaders programme at Middlesbrough College. Through two dedicated visits in October 2024 and September 2025, 26 students were given first-hand insight into live projects and career opportunities within the sector. The initiative aims to break down barriers and inspire the next generation of women to pursue rewarding careers in construction, showcasing the breadth of roles and impact they can make in shaping communities.
Demonstrating its commitment to community engagement, Esh contributed 40 hours of volunteer work at John Whitehead Park’s community garden, a vital space for residents to grow fruit and vegetables, promoting physical and mental wellbeing. The garden’s produce helps stock the local community pantry, providing essential support to low-income families. Esh’s team undertook a range of tasks including gardening, weeding, leaf clearing, rubbish collection, lawn mowing, and drain repairs.
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Helping People Wilmott Dixon:
Inspiring Future Careers in Construction Wilmott Dixon was proud to sponsor the Destination STEM event at Hopetown in Darlington, investing £4,000 to support meaningful STEM learning experiences for young people across the region. The event was hosted at Hopetown, a world class visitor attraction which Wilmott Dixon transformed with Darlington Borough Council. During the redevelopment, the project delivered significant social value, engaging over 2,200 local students, creating 200 weeks of employment opportunities and 212 apprenticeship weeks. Returning to support Destination STEM strengthened this long-term commitment to local skills and education. Over two days, Wilmott Dixon engaged more than 2,000 children through interactive, hands-on activities. On Day One, hundreds of primary pupils visited the company’s STEM stand to learn about the built environment and careers in construction. Using virtual reality headsets, students explored real Wilmott Dixon projects, while electric circuit challenges introduced engineering principles in a fun and engaging way. Day Two welcomed secondary school students, who took part in career conversations exploring technical, 21
professional and trade pathways within construction, including apprenticeships, T Levels and work experience. As part of their ongoing commitment to delivering social value and making a lasting impact in the communities where they work, Wilmott Dixon attended the Darlington Skills Booster event, organised by Darlington Borough Council. Located right outside the project site at the Dolphin Centre, the event provided an ideal platform to engage directly with local residents, offering an insight into the work they do in the area and sharing the range of opportunities within the construction industry. The event also provided a valuable opportunity to network with other local organisations, all of whom shared a common goal: creating positive, longterm community impact.
Brakes, JJ Foodservice & Pioneer Foodservice:
Creating new jobs in the region
The renewal of the frozen food lot of NEPO’s Food and General Provisions solution resulted in several new suppliers being appointed, collectively creating twenty one jobs.
Pioneer Foodservice
Sysco Ltd
JJ Foodservice
Following the withdrawal of the main supplier from the wider Food and General Provisions Framework, Sysco Ltd (trading as Brakes) was awarded to supply Newcastle City Council . They employed two drivers to service Newcastle from its local depot, including one recruited from the supplier who withdrew, helping to prevent a job loss. Brakes also added one role in its telesales department, although this was not a direct result of the award.
Pioneer Foodservice was awarded supply to Sunderland and subsequently employed two new drivers to fulfil deliveries from its Gateshead depot.
As a newly awarded supplier to the framework, JJ Foodservice expanded operations from its Newcastle depot to service eight NEPO Member Authorities. This included reopening a section of its Newcastle warehouse to increase capacity for the NEPO contract. The award directly created seventeen new roles across driving, picking and packing, and led to the introduction of a night shift to further support operations.
new jobs created
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Helping Communities County Durham Pound:
Collaborative Social Value initiative delivering local benefits The County Durham Pound initiative, led by Durham County Council and supported by key public sector partners, continues to deliver outstanding examples of social value in action. The following case studies showcase how collaboration, partnership working, and supplier support are driving meaningful impact across the region. Langley Park Boxing Club was founded to provide a safe, inclusive space for young people and adults to build fitness, confidence, and competitive skills through boxing. It aims to support
Langley Park Boxing Club 23
personal development and offer a recognised pathway into amateur competition via England Boxing. The club was made possible through collaboration between Karbon Homes, BAM Construction, Esh Construction, Lumsden & Carroll, and the County Durham Pound. After a long search for premises, Karbon Homes provided the former Derwentside Homes Neighbourhood Office. BAM and its supply chain invested £40k and over 800 volunteer hours to fully renovate the space. Lumsden & Carroll contributed £10k in sponsorship, while Karbon Homes supported the setup with a £3,600 grant.
Launchpad’s Hollyacre House greenhouse under construction To help raise career aspirations among Year 9 and 10 pupils in Durham who are most at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) the DurhamWorks team developed an ‘Employer Insight Roadshow’ event. With the support of a cash donation by Albany Furniture, an interactive and engaging careers event was delivered in schools. This was supported by several other suppliers including Amazon, Oracle and Chartwells using their social value time commitments to inspire young people through workshops on careers in tech, food and retail.
As part of Kier’s ongoing commitment to supporting veterans, the company provided expertise and materials to construct a greenhouse base for residents at Launchpad’s Hollyacre House site, a charity supporting homeless veterans. The greenhouse will support the veterans’ recovery by providing regular outdoor wellbeing activities, enabling them to grow their own food and improve their mental health.
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Helping Communities VolkerStevin: New Wear footbridge, Keel Crossing VolkerStevin was appointed by Sunderland City Council through NEPO’s Civil Engineering framework as part of a £600 million riverside regeneration programme. This ambitious project included the construction of a new footbridge, now known as Keel Crossing. As part of the contract, VolkerStevin committed to delivering a wide range of social value initiatives and targets, including working with local schools to enhance curriculum delivery and inspire the next generation.
Not only have we been able to weave engineering through our curriculum learning, but we have also been able to show our children what Sunderland has to offer as part of their futures. Nicola Dryden Assistant Headteacher Fulwell Junior School
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The Keel Crossing footbridge opened in October 2025 and over the life of the project, VolkerStevin worked with Fulwell Junior School to deliver a variety of activities, taking place throughout 2024 and 2025: September 2024: Two careers talks, delivered to 360 pupils by a graduate engineer and an apprentice quantity surveyor, covering construction careers and employability skills, with pupils trying on PPE. October 2025: Visit for the opening of an Aspirations Gallery, curated by pupils previously engaged in the project. Pupils showcased artworks and K’NEX bridge models, shared reflections on their yearlong project inspired by Keel Crossing and presented letters to VolkerStevin’s hiring manager demonstrating understanding of key skills and attributes.
In addition to the staff time spent on these activities, VolkerStevin funded all the materials needed during the activity delivery. These resources included K’NEX bridge kits, presentation materials, and PPE used throughout to provide interactive, real-world learning experiences in engineering and construction. The activities delivered have created a lasting educational and community impact at Fulwell Junior School. Pupils gained a stronger understanding of engineering, construction, and
teamwork through hands-on challenges, presentations, and site visits. Nicola Dryden, Assistant Headteacher at Fulwell Junior School, said: “Working with VolkerStevin has been fantastic for our children. Not only have we been able to weave engineering through our curriculum learning, but we have also been able to show our children what Sunderland has to offer as part of their futures; these children will be engineers in 15 or 20 years, and the fact that they have been inspired at such a young age is wonderful.” 26
Helping Communities Compass Developments: Helping Tynedale House Residents Awarded the contract under the NEPO Construction Works framework by Northumberland County Council to replace fire doors at Tynedale House residential care home, Compass went beyond its core responsibilities by integrating community support and wellbeing initiatives into its project delivery. This commitment was demonstrated through several activities, including resident engagement, volunteering, and a cash donation to a local boxing club. Compass staff supported weekly coffee mornings at Tynedale House, helping to build relationships with residents, reduce isolation, and improve social interaction. In addition, they delivered 30 volunteer hours to assist residents with light DIY, internal decoration, and preparations for communal events. To extend their impact beyond the care home, Compass donated funds to the Empire School of Boxing in Blyth, supporting equipment and training for underprivileged children.
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They also purchased and installed a 60” Smart TV for the recreation lounge, enhancing the communal living space and resident wellbeing. These activities generated significant benefits, including a strengthened community cohesion and reduced social isolation among Tynedale House residents. Support for the boxing club enabled underprivileged young people to access structured sports programmes, promoting physical and mental health. Improvements to communal facilities will continue to add value long after project completion. Resident feedback highlighted the positive impact of Compass’ involvement, noting that their efforts “made a real difference” to the atmosphere and facilities within Tynedale House, as well as praising the approachable on-site team.
Albany Contract Furniture: Support for South Bank Residents Albany supported the South Bank Community Land Trust (SBCLT) with a £2,000 donation to help its work with local residents and communities. SBCLT operates in one of the most disadvantaged wards in the Tees Valley, providing housing and community initiatives that make a tangible difference. The Trust currently owns seven previously empty homes and has secured government funding for three more. Properties are managed in partnership with Thirteen Housing Group and prioritised for those in housing need with strong local connections. Rent is set at 80% of market rate, and any surplus is reinvested into initiatives that benefit the community.
SBCLT also runs the South Bank Eco Shop, a community store offering 10 supermarket items for a £3 donation. Goods are sourced mainly through FareShare, a charity that redistributes surplus supermarket food. The shop, supported by St John’s Church and run by volunteers, serves around 40 shoppers weekly. Recent funders include Karbon Homes, Redcar and Cleveland Household Support Fund. Albany confirmed its donation would support three key areas of the Trust’s work: £1,000 towards Eco Shop costs for 2025/26, £500 for housing equipment and furnishings for new tenants, and £500 to enable the Trust board to undertake a strategic planning exercise for its business plan.
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Helping Communities Esh Group: Tyne Bridge Restoration As part of the ongoing Tyne Bridge restoration project, delivered through the NEPO Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Works solution, Esh Group have continued to deliver a variety of social value activities. These include supporting an arts project, help to tackle food poverty and the provision of summer holiday activities for young people. Over 200 animation, illustration, and graphic design students from Newcastle College were given the unique opportunity to bring the history of the
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Tyne Bridge to life through a nine-month art project. The students were divided into groups to produce 13 standout artworks, which are now on display at the Tyne Bridge Information Hub on Newcastle’s Quayside. As part of the project, the students received a creative brief, took part in a site visit, and were tasked with designing their pieces in response to the brief before presenting their final work to employers.
Esh provided a £2,500 donation to support the Feeding Families Holiday Hunger campaign. The appeal supported 400 children and their families by providing packs filled with essential food and fun activity items.
In Summer 2025, Esh teamed up with Newcastle NE1 to sponsor a miniature Tyne Bridge landmark at the Tiny Toon play village, which was located in Old Eldon Square and free for all families to visit.
Through volunteering support and a donation, Esh helped to fund and organise packs to be distributed to two Gateshead schools which were identified as having the highest level of free school meals. A local Year 6 pupil designed artwork to feature on the packs, with the winning design featuring the Tyne Bridge.
Three Esh staff attended two activation days at the Tiny Toon and encouraged youngsters to get their hands dirty by helping to paint the miniature Tyne Bridge model. The immersive experience was available throughout the summer and featured mini replicas of local businesses and iconic landmarks from the city. 30
Helping Communities Oxygen Finance: Lifesaving defibrillator installed for South Tyneside residents As part of their commitment to NEPO’s Early Payment Service framework, supplier Oxygen Finance has appointed two dedicated full-time employees (FTEs) to work on framework-related activities. Based in Northumberland and Middlesbrough, they provide local expertise and support on delivery of early payment services to participating Member Authorities. In addition to supporting suppliers through early payment solutions, Oxygen Finance has actively contributed to community wellbeing through charitable initiatives. Since the frameworks inception in 2020, they have made multiple donations to local charities. Most recently Oxygen Finance have funded a defibrillator at a cost of £1,000, which has been placed inside South Tyneside Council’s Town Hall. Stakeholders at South Tyneside had been campaigning for defibrillators but had previously hit funding blocks, making Oxygen Finance’s contribution a vital support for public safety and community health.
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An additional offer of training to elected members on the use of the defibrillator has also been provided to enhance the community impact of the donation. As a result of the donation, the local councillors and council staff now have access to the defibrillator at the Town Hall, improving safety in their workplace. In addition, visitors and members of the public attending meetings or events in the building are better protected in the event of a cardiac emergency. The facility is also available to the wider South Tyneside community as it can be used in emergencies which occur near the Town Hall, supporting residents and visitors in the surrounding area.
Bloom Procurement Services: Support for Fibromyalgia Hydrotherapy Sessions Bloom awarded a £500 grant from the Catalyst Fund to support the work of Fibro Connect Teesside, a Hartlepool based organisation dedicated to helping individuals living with Fibromyalgia. This chronic condition causes widespread pain, persistent fatigue, sleep difficulties, and problems with memory and concentration. Many people also experience anxiety and depression as a result of the condition, making community-based support particularly vital. Fibro Connect Teesside provides a safe, welcoming environment where individuals can be listened to, supported, and understood. Members are encouraged to share their experiences, whether related to medical challenges, mental health concerns, or simply dayto-day struggles, knowing they are among people who truly appreciate what they are going through. The group holds weekly meetings where attendees can come together over a cup of tea or coffee to talk, exchange coping strategies, and enjoy time in a compassionate community. Heated massage chairs are also available, offering members the chance to relax and ease their pain while they are there. A particularly valued element of the support offered is access to regular hydrotherapy sessions at a local pool.
Bloom's funding was greatly received and it gives our service users a short period of relief from their constant pain each time they go. It also really helps break the social isolation when they are mixing with others who understand what they are going through. Feedback from Fibro Connect Teesside
These sessions help members unwind, de-stress, and experience temporary relief from their symptoms. Demand for hydrotherapy has grown significantly, and the organisation hoped to introduce an additional weekly session so more people could benefit. Thanks to the funding provided by Bloom, Fibro Connect Teesside was able to expand these hydrotherapy sessions and contribute to the continuing running costs of this essential local service. Through the Catalyst Fund, Bloom is proud to help strengthen communityled initiatives like this one, ensuring people living with long-term health conditions can access the support, connection, and relief they need.
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Helping the Environment EDF Energy: Supporting Northumberland College Zoo Our Electricity solution provider, EDF Energy, organised a volunteering day at Northumberland College Zoo in Kirkley, Northumberland. This brought together NEPO staff and colleagues at EDF Business Solutions for a day of hands-on activities supporting the zoo’s vital work in animal care and biodiversity. The day started with a guided tour of the zoo and its many inhabitants, before the work started. This included de-weeding animal enclosures as an important task to support healthy grass growth for the paddock animals. Volunteers then moved onto feeding some of the paddock animals, including alpacas,
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Northumberland College Zoo is home to over 200 species goats, donkeys, and Shetland ponies. A highlight for the volunteers was the opportunity to enter the squirrel monkey enclosure and feed the curious primates.
In the afternoon, the volunteers engaged in a biodiversity project, identifying and recording plant, animal, and insect species on site using the iNaturalist App to record occurrences across the Zoo. This activity is part of the UK-wide ‘BIAZA Spotted on Site’ campaign, delivered in partnership with iNaturalistUK and the National Biodiversity Network Trust. Northumberland College Zoo ranks 12th out of 281 member sites on the campaign’s national leaderboard.
We’re proud to deliver reliable electricity to public sector buildings in the North East while supporting local communities and promoting social and environmental benefits. James Lusby Senior Relationship Manager EDF Energy
Laura Kyle, Energy Lead at NEPO, said: "Building on over six years of partnership EDF shares our commitment to helping the public sector achieve both financial and environmental goals through our procurement framework." Located within the 400-acre Kirkley Hall College campus in Ponteland, Northumberland College Zoo is home to over 200 species, including many endangered animals participating in European Endangered Species Programmes. The zoo has been recognised as Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the North East Tourism Awards.
Watch NEPO and EDF meet the animals at Northumberland College Zoo
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Helping the Environment Wave Utilities: Planting and maintenance of Wave Woodland at Bearpark Supplier of NEPO’s Water Retail Services solution, Wave committed to establishing a woodland close to its operations in Durham. The initial intention was to plant at least one tree for each of its 330 employees across the UK. To achieve this, they partnered with the local landowner, Bearpark Hall Farm, and the Wear Rivers Trust, which manages the site. In addition to creating the woodland, Wave also wanted to take an active role in caring for it in a location that benefited biodiversity in their local area. They worked with the manager of the North East Community Forest to identify a suitable location close to their head office in Durham that required tree coverage to support wildlife.
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The chosen site, located beside the River Browney (a tributary of the River Wear), suffers from water erosion and is prone to flooding. The plan was for the new woodland to stabilise the riverbank and provide tree cover to support Atlantic salmon and brown trout that visit the river each year. Without this shade the water would be too warm for the fish. There are also many bird species in the area, and the new trees provide cover and habitat for the birds and other creatures in the area.
Working alongside the Wear Rivers Trust, an initial planting of 550 trees was carried out, with Wave donating the majority. Since then, Wave staff have returned in smaller groups to monitor tree health and carry out essential land maintenance tasks. These have included replacing around 40 trees lost to flooding and cold weather during the
first winter, as well as clearing invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam, which dominates the area during summer. Efforts to expand and maintain the woodland and surrounding areas are ongoing, and Wave will return in Summer 2026 to continue balsam removal.
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Helping the Environment T. Manners & Sons Ltd: South Bank allotment community support
guidance throughout, particularly given her young carer status.
T. Manners & Sons Ltd were awarded a contract under the NEPO Construction Works solution to carry out refurbishments in the Daisy Lane area in Ormesby. As part of their social value offering, they made several social value commitments which included enabling local residents and communities to thrive.
Using surplus timber from the main Daisy Lane regeneration and refurbishment site, Grace was tasked with building planters for installation at the Groundworks Allotment site. She was offered the support and guidance needed to produce the planters but also had the opportunity to support the site manager to complete some more intricate and detailed joinery work.
Through engagement with the Groundworks Allotment Regeneration project an opportunity was identified to collaborate with Redcar and Cleveland College to create a work placement opportunity for one of their Carpentry and Joinery Level 3 students. This was given to a young person named Grace who was offered mentoring and
This mentoring support has led Grace to make the decision to return to college and further develop her trade skills by completing a plastering course. The impacts of this project have been the reuse and recycling of surplus waste timber, a work placement opportunity for a local student and support for the local allotment community.
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Muckle LLP:
Community and reforestation support As a supplier on the NEPO Legal Services framework, Muckle LLP undertook a number of activities in response to their social value commitments. These initiatives exemplified how suppliers can support our communities and the environment in meaningful ways. In the run up to Christmas 2024, they held a bring-and-buy which gave their staff the opportunity to reduce their clutter and score some fabulous bargain finds. Entry to the sale was given to those who provided an item to donate to the Newcastle Foodbank. The £500 cash raised was donated to local reforestation projects, North East
Community Forest and Tees Valley Combined Authority Trees on Tees. This will help fund programmes of tree planting to create liveable, sustainable communities. They also tackle climate change and biodiversity collapse, support regeneration, and provide opportunities for relaxation and leisure. All unsold items were donated St Vincent's Community Centre, which is a venue run by the St Vincent de Paul Society for the people of Newcastle. It includes a Vinnies' lunch drop-in every Tuesday providing a warm and nutritious three-course meal and table service to all that attend. They also run a series of free wellbeing activities every day of the week and a cost-of-living market every Thursday offering low cost groceries, clothing and household goods.
Bloom Procurement Services:
Funding for Saltburn Sustainable Community Garden In its first round of grants under the Bloom Catalyst Fund an award was made to support the Saltburn Sustainable Community Garden project. The community group, StrHive, had been given land for a community garden in Saltburn, which is being delivered by a combined group of primary aged children, teenagers and retired people. StrHive is a CIC founded with a vision to address the growing need for family support, youth development, and mental wellbeing in local communities. They recognised the importance of providing young people with opportunities to connect with others, build life skills, and
access trusted adults in a supportive, welcoming environment. The first stage of the project was the landscaping of the area and the £500 grant was used to buy the equipment, topsoil and gravel for the pathways. Once this was completed, planting started in the spring of 2025. Food that was grown was cooked at a local hotel, Brockley Hall, and then frozen and taken by the teenagers to care homes for the residents. The garden is open to all and there are poetry readings and youth groups taking place frequently, with plans to expand to other activities as the community garden grows. 38
Helping the Environment Bloom Procurement Services: Funding support for Westlea Primary School’s Eco Warriors
The Eco Warriors are a dedicated pupil group representing all year groups at Westlea Primary School in Durham. They promote positive environmental practices among pupils and families, while researching strategies and technologies with a view to implementing them in school or the wider local community. Over the summer term of 2025 they were awarded a £500 grant under the Bloom Catalyst Fund to support this work. The pupils have taken part in health and wellbeing initiatives, as well as creating and managing green infrastructure by rewilding areas of the school grounds. Hosted by Esh Group, pupils from Westlea Primary School had the opportunity to attend a careers employer encounter at New College Durham. They took part in a construction workshop and explored the college to see the types of courses available to them in the future.
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The children loved visiting the car mechanic area, hair and beauty salon and health care area. This experience was made possible thanks to Bloom Catalyst funding, which covered the cost of transport. In addition, hedging plants for the school perimeter have been planted to reduce rubbish and to provide habitats for local wildlife. The Westlea wood forest area has been rejuvenated with steps, fencing, seating, bird and hedgehog homes and pupils regularly undertake litter picking and recycling activities.
The school celebrated Earth Hour with a presentation from their Eco Warriors group. The group has also been to a sustainable vegan farm for ideas and inspiration, which included visiting wind turbines, eco toilet facilities and rewilding on farmland. The group has investigated ways to reduce energy through the use of timers for electronic devices, as well as organising a clothes drive and recycling
for electronic devices, as well as organising a clothes drive and recycling scheme. A new project to move the school away from single-use plastic (SUP) items was tackled. This identified glue sticks and whiteboard pens as the most used SUP items in school. In response, the Eco Warriors group met with the suppliers and had training which will be passed on to their classmates.
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Forward Look This report demonstrates how our collective efforts and strong collaboration with our suppliers continue to provide vital support to the communities we serve. Social value has gained significant prominence under the new procurement regulations, with a shift towards more effective contract management of outcomes. This heightened focus brings new opportunities, but it also means we must remain proactive and not become complacent. Future collaboration with Member Authorities will be key to ensuring social value continues to focus on a shared understanding of local needs and priorities. By doing so, we can ensure that the impacts of our collective social value programme remain relevant and deliver meaningful benefits for our people, communities and local environments. A key driver for our regional work will be through the rollout of our new ESG model for social value delivery, which we’ve developed through our shared Social Value Delivery Group. Early 2026 will see us testing the new model through a NEPO led procurement and in local procurements in South Tyneside and Hartlepool. Alongside this there have been regionwide discussions on developing a more consistent and shared approach to social value across the public sector as a whole. NEPO and its Member Authorities will continue to be part of these conversations to ensure that any future proposals reflect our needs and interests. Finally, the continued implementation of the Open system’s full functionality will present an opportunity to build in future social value reporting into the platform. This approach will be shaped by insights from the ESG model rollout and will incorporate any complementary regional initiatives that emerge in the future.
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THANK YOU! I hope you agree that this report represents a fantastic set of achievements by all our suppliers, Member Authorities and the various local charities and initiatives which have made it all happen. I wanted to finish by saying a big thanks to all those listed and those that we simply couldn’t fit in! The report represents only a snapshot of the good work that is being done at a local and collaborative level, and we invite you all to do continue the hard work over the next year. The need to continue delivering social value to bring even greater benefits and impacts to our local communities and economies has never been greater.
Nicola Shelley Managing Director
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