Barnardo’s Students Break Ground at Melfield Gardens

Last month, Jerram Falkus Social Value Manager Alison Cormack and Marketing & New Business Assistant Sophie Hill collaborated with Rebecca Knowles, Children’s Services Manager at Barnardo’s Building Hope Academy. The goal was to explore ways Jerram Falkus could contribute to Barnardo’s ongoing efforts. Shortly after, students from Barnardo’s Academy were invited to a groundbreaking event at Jerram Falkus’ Melfield Gardens site in Lewisham.

The ceremony marked the official commencement of construction work at Melfield Gardens, a project valued at £12.5 million. This collaboration is part of a broader commitment to social value, showcasing Jerram Falkus’ dedication to making a positive impact in the community.

Overview of the Melfield Gardens Project

Melfield Gardens is a significant residential Passivhaus scheme being developed for Phoenix Community Housing. The project involves:

• The demolition of an existing building
• The design and construction of 32 residential units
• The creation of a community room for residents

This project highlights Jerram Falkus’ expertise in delivering sustainable and energy-efficient homes, aligning with the company’s commitment to innovative construction methods like Passivhaus.

A Groundbreaking Event for Barnardo’s Students

The groundbreaking event is the first of many Social Value initiatives planned between Jerram Falkus and Barnardo’s Building Hope Academy. The academy, located near the Melfield Gardens site, currently supports 14 students aged 16–19. These students, many of whom come from NEET or care backgrounds, are studying for a Level 1 qualification in Multi Skills in Construction.
Their curriculum covers a wide range of skills including:

• Dry lining
• Taping and joining
• Skimming and plastering
• Painting and tiling
• Wallpapering and CSCS certification

Learning Through Experience: A Day on-Site

During their visit, the students were able to witness the early stages of the construction process. Project Manager Michael Nevins took the time to educate the group about the traditional construction ceremony of groundbreaking, which symbolises the start of a new building project.

The students were fascinated by the heavy machinery, asking many questions as they watched the excavators in action. Each student had the opportunity to take part in the event by digging into the ground with the official Jerram Falkus shovel, capturing the moment with commemorative photos.

After the event, the students were presented with Jerram Falkus-branded goody bags, making the day even more memorable.

Testimonials from Barnardo’s Building Hope Academy

Rebecca Knowles, the Children’s Services Manager at Barnardo’s, shared her thoughts on the experience:

“Thank you so much to Alison, Sophie and Michael for taking the time to show us the Melfield Gardens site. The students were inspired by the talks and really enjoyed the visit. The visit was the first time our pupils were able to link what they are learning to a real-life workplace. We are very grateful to have Jerram Falkus supporting the programme, and we look forward to working on more activities together in the near future.”

Ongoing Social Value Commitments from Jerram Falkus

As part of our continued dedication to supporting Barnardo’s students, Jerram Falkus will host several on-site work experience placements for the students in May. These placements will offer students hands-on experience in a real-world construction environment, enhancing their learning and career prospects.

In addition to site visits, students will also benefit from information and training sessions provided by Jerram Falkus staff. We are also committed to making a financial donation to the academy and providing teaching materials through a subcontractor.

The Importance of Social Value in Construction

Alison Cormack, Social Value Manager at Jerram Falkus, emphasised the significance of this collaboration:

“We are delighted to be working with Barnardo’s. Getting the chance to use our knowledge and resources to better equip these young people for the working world is something we are very privileged to be able to do. All young people should have access to opportunities like these, they are seriously valuable.”

This ongoing partnership between Jerram Falkus and Barnardo’s Building Hope Academy demonstrates our commitment to fostering positive social impact within the communities in which we operate.

Work With Jerram Falkus to Drive Social Change

At Jerram Falkus, we believe in building homes and stronger communities. Contact us if you share our commitment to social value and would like to collaborate on a construction project or learn more about how we can work together.

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