WMS is a key contractor for us, providing a range of contracting and maintenance support to some of our 36, 000 homes across the South West.
So when Penzance foodbank approached us, WMS jumped at the chance to help ensure the Foodbank had the storage to meet the growing need.
As the largest Social Landlord based in the region, we invest over £200m a year into the local economy but its new Social Value programme provides a way to create even more benefits for local people by getting their suppliers and contractors to support social initiatives local to our housing.
Our Social Value programme was set up to unlock the potential of shared values and beliefs of suppliers in order for them to give something back to the community in which we work.
There is a wide range of ways we work in partnership with their suppliers, contractors and business partners to deliver to their customers, services and communities. For example service improvement and supporting access to funding.
Tim Wotton, our Grants and Social Value Manager, said: “We work with suppliers that have the same values and beliefs as us of wanting to improve the lives of local people living in our communities. Through getting the companies we work with to give something back to the local area, we can ensure money, services and the volunteering support of our supply chain has the greatest impact.”
Penzance Foodbank based in Treneere Estate, Penzance, is run by volunteers and supported by generous donations from the local community.
In the past year, a total of 1,987 people made up as 1,314 adults & 673 children have used the foodbank. This was a rise of almost 300 on the previous year.
Christine Gendall, Manager at Penzance Foodbank said: “We have seen a gradual increase in the number of people visiting the food bank over the past few years but recently there has been a more noticeable increase due in part to the changes introduced in benefit payments.
“However this has been matched by the generosity of the public, and has meant our base was at capacity. LiveWest helped to provide extra storage in a local lock up but Cornish winters were affecting the produce we had stored so this work will help ensure our food doesn’t get spoilt.”
Michael Sussex, Managing Director for WMS said: “WMS have a long history of supporting social value initiatives within the communities in which they work. The opportunity to give something back appeals to us and this latest initiative again supports a cause very near to our hearts.”
LiveWest have other social value projects in Penzance in the pipeline including working with their contractors Travis Perkins on a community hub in Roscadghill, Penzance, as part of its regeneration work across West Cornwall, giving a new lease of life to a facility that will play host to a number of activities including children’s play sessions and work training for the community.
Tim added: “At our heart, we are a people business. LiveWest is committed to delivering homes and services that enable our residents, communities and customers to thrive.
“Our social purpose is at our core, not an add on, and we ask the companies we work with embody and demonstrate this - to provide benefits that can be passed on to our customers. We call this social value.”