Social Value
We are committed to providing our services in a way that enhances the quality of life of our service stakeholders whilst representing value for money to our customers. We aim to deliver our services to ensure that every section of the community feels the positive impact of our business activities. We go above and beyond customer expectation to deliver services to offer economic, social, and environmental value.
Economic and opportunity value
We fully understand the benefits of recruiting local people and aim to provide local work experience opportunities for all sections of the community. We work closely with Jacqui Porritt, who is Apprenticeship and work experience Manager of Shipley College, providing work placements for young people.
We have supported Covid 19 recovery by not furloughing any employee and paying 100% of their salaries during periods where we have been unable to work.
We pay above the UK living wage.
Environmental value
At The Garden People we are always mindful on the impact our business activities have on the environment, which is why we ensure that we minimise the impact of our business. We work towards zero-landfill wherever possible.
This includes optimising waste recovery from co-mingled litter bins operating 100% green waste recycling policy – using choppers and shredders at source to produce locally sourced mulch where possible and soil conditioner materials, and ensuring plastics, cans etc that are collected from litter pick are recycled.
After being asked to install one by a resident on one of our existing sites, we have now created three Bee Hotels in different locations – at our own cost. We will be happy to also offer this service on your sites if any residents are interested.
Our plan is to move from petrol and diesel driven equipment and vehicles to electric alternatives. These are both better for the environment and substantially reduce noise pollution when we work on site.
Wider added-value
We adopt friendly and approachable style and try to be responsive to residents’ needs and ideas. Often, we have requests from residents to plant trees and rose bushes in memory of loved ones, and it has become common for us to purchase and plant these at our own cost.
Having worked with one housing association for over 20 years, we now feel part of the estate and know most of the residents and staff. Our employees might be seen helping residents with heavy shopping bags or putting-up Christmas lights on some bushes/trees.