We are proud to announce that its ‘Our Community Can’ social value initiative has been shortlisted for two prestigious national awards: the Public Sector Leadership Award at the Social Value Awards 2025, and the Delivering Sustainability and Social Value category at the Public Finance Awards 2025.
Our Community Can is our pioneering approach to embedding social value into everything it does. The initiative ensures that every pound spent delivers wider benefits for local people, from creating jobs and apprenticeships, to supporting community projects, environmental improvements and wellbeing initiatives.
The difference this approach is making can already be seen across the district. When the Birmingham Road multi-storey car park was demolished by Cawarden, the project delivered around £1.13 million in social value. This included recycling 99% of materials, donating food to local food banks, and even funding a local dance school to represent Team England in an international competition.
Meanwhile, at Greysbrooke Primary School in Shenstone, pupils became Young Climate Champions through a “School of the Future” programme, where they designed eco-friendly projects such as bug hotels and outdoor learning spaces with mock budgets, inspiring the next generation to take action on sustainability.
And as work progresses on the new leisure centre at Stychbrook Park, contractor Stepnell has pledged to hire local staff, collaborate with schools and colleges, source building materials from within 30 miles, and support local projects such as the Greenway, ensuring that the investment benefits the local economy and community as well as delivering a new facility.
In addition, Jared Freeman, the council’s Social Value Coordinator, has been shortlisted for the Rising Star Award at the Social Value Awards, recognising his personal contribution to embedding social value across the district.
Councillor Rob Strachan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Commissioning said:
“To be shortlisted for these awards, and to see Jared recognised as a Rising Star, is a fantastic achievement for the council and the district. These examples show what social value means in practice; recycling materials into community benefit, giving young people the chance to lead on climate action, and ensuring local jobs and supply chains are at the heart of major projects. This is about making sure every investment creates a lasting difference for our residents.”
The winners of the Social Value Awards will be announced on 23 October 2025, while the Public Finance Awards ceremony will take place on 28 November 2025.