Delivering social value
We are committed to working with local communities and ensuring that the expansion of Mercia Park delivers direct benefits for local people that extend beyond the boundary of the site.
Our investment in the existing site to date has already generated a range of positive benefits for local communities, businesses and service providers, including more than 2,300 jobs on site, in addition to a range of education and training opportunities and funding support for local community groups via the Mercia Park Community Fund.
The expansion of Mercia Park is an important chance to build on our achievements to date and create more opportunities for local people and businesses.
Our aim is to maximise the community benefit and social value generated during construction but also through its subsequent operation, working in partnership with DSV and future tenants.
Your insights and feedback will help us develop a strategy that is tailored to local needs. We would therefore welcome your views on whether you agree with the priorities and opportunities we have identified to date.
Opportunities we have identified include:
- Continuing to work with employment agencies and local training providers to help more unemployed local people into work, including under-represented groups.
- Reviewing transport links with local providers to maintain and open-up access to employment opportunities.
- Working in collaboration with local colleges to deliver apprenticeship, training and work placements for young people, including those with special educational needs.
- Inspiring the next generation via site tours, career talks and guidance for local school and college students.
- Supporting the local economy by using sub-contractor and supplier expenditure at local businesses
- Supporting local communities via charitable donations, sponsoring events and volunteering by employees working on the site.
- Providing more footpaths and recreational routes within new landscaped areas, whilst also hosting Council and voluntary sector health and wellbeing initiatives on-site to promote healthy lifestyles.
Mercia Park Community Fund
In The Pink and Mercia Park – click to watch video
The £350,000 Mercia Park Community Fund has helped to fund 81 local projects. Managed by Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation, the fund typically offered grants of up to £5,000 primarily to projects that strengthen communities or improve the natural environment.
ndependent of the planning process for the expansion of Mercia Park, we would provide a new fund of £100,000 to support projects that strengthen communities or improve the natural environment.
Supporting skills and training
At Mercia Park, we worked with Winvic, our contractor, and supply chain to provide work experience and training opportunities; engage with local businesses to maximise contract and supplier opportunities locally; and support local schools, colleges and universities to inspire young people to consider careers in the construction and built environment sectors.
We set up an on-site ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre that was used by Winvic and local training providers to host skills courses and recruitment days, and opened a Sustainability & Innovation Hub to showcase new technologies being used in the development and provide a space to host educational visits.
