SOCIAL VALUE

Empowering Women Through Modern Methods of Construction

At CWS, we are committed to driving meaningful change within the construction industry by creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and championing modern, sustainable building methods.

In partnership with Domis Construction, Salford Employment Hub, Frameworks Social Enterprise CIC, and F&T Terrix Ltd, we proudly delivered a two-week brickslipping programme as part of a wider initiative to support women into construction.

The programme was delivered on the landmark Obsidian development in Salford, an £80 million high-rise project, and focused on introducing participants to modern methods of construction, including the use of brick slips—a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional brickwork.

• A group of seven local women from a range of ages and backgrounds joined the programme, demonstrating the growing demand and potential for diversity within the industry.
• The programme was carefully structured to provide both technical training and real-world experience:
• A week of hands-on training delivered at the Peel Green Construction Skills Centre, combining expert guidance with practical learning
• A week of on-site work experience at the Obsidian development, working alongside experienced professionals
• Ongoing mentorship and support from CWS on site, helping participants transition into a live construction environment
• The results of the programme were exceptional:
• Six participants successfully completed the training
• One individual secured an apprenticeship during the programme
• Four participants were offered employment opportunities with CWS
• The quality of work delivered on site was praised by the project architect

Today, we are proud to have members of this programme actively working on site with us, contributing to the delivery of a major development and building long-term careers within construction.

This initiative highlights the power of collaboration, with additional support from Fawkes & Reece, who provided industry insights and travel sponsorship, ensuring accessibility for all participants.

At CWS, this programme represents more than training—it is about breaking barriers, creating opportunity, and reshaping representation within the construction industry.

“From training to employment, this programme demonstrates the real impact of partnership and opportunity—empowering women to build not just structures, but long-term careers in construction.”

At CWS, we are proud to support initiatives that bring communities together and create positive experiences for local families.

In collaboration with our partners at DOMIS Construction, we contributed to their Easter Charity Event, helping to provide gifts for children within the community.

Following their request for support, our team came together to donate a wide range of Easter eggs and toys, ensuring that children attending the event received something special to enjoy.

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to working alongside our partners to deliver meaningful social value, while supporting children and families during important seasonal events.

By contributing to events like this, we aim to help create memorable experiences and moments of joy for young people in the communities we work in.

This initiative supports our wider commitments to:

• Strengthening community partnerships
• Supporting local children and families
• Delivering social value beyond our core projects

At CWS, we believe that even small contributions can make a big difference.

“Through collaboration and community support, we’re able to create moments that matter—bringing smiles to children and families when it matters most.”

At CWS, giving back to our local community is at the heart of our values, and our annual Christmas Charity Initiative is something we are incredibly proud of.

Each year, we come together as a company to raise funds internally, with the shared goal of making a meaningful difference to children within our local community. In partnership with Bury Council, we support families in need by ensuring children experience the joy of Christmas.

Through the generosity and commitment of our team, we raised an incredible £1,500 for Christmas 2025.

These funds were used to purchase Christmas presents for children aged 1–18, ensuring that every child supported had something to open and enjoy on Christmas Day.

We strongly believe that every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas, and this initiative allows us to play a small but meaningful part in making that happen.

This annual effort reflects our wider commitment to:

• Supporting local communities
• Making a positive impact beyond construction
• Bringing our team together for a meaningful cause

At CWS, it’s not just about the projects we deliver—it’s about the difference we make.

“By coming together as a team, we’re able to create moments of joy for children who need it most—because every child deserves a Christmas to remember.”

SOCIAL VALUE

At CWS, we are committed to investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople and creating clear pathways into the construction industry.
Through our Plastering Programme, delivered in partnership with Build Salford and with training provided by FT-TERRIX, we supported individuals in gaining the skills, experience, and confidence needed to begin a career in construction.

The programme was structured to provide a balance of learning and real-world experience, consisting of one week of hands-on training followed by a one-week on-site work placement. This approach ensured participants developed both technical ability and an understanding of working within a live construction environment.

A total of eight individuals successfully completed the programme, all of whom were given the opportunity of employment upon completion. Participants carried out their work placement on our Lumina project, gaining valuable experience on an active site and working alongside experienced professionals.

This initiative has delivered meaningful outcomes by:

• Providing industry-recognised training and practical experience
• Creating direct routes into employment
• Supporting individuals in building long-term careers within construction

The success of this programme reflects our ongoing commitment to developing local talent, addressing skills shortages, and delivering lasting social value within the communities we work in.

“By combining training with real on-site experience, this programme goes beyond learning—creating genuine opportunities and clear pathways into long-term careers inconstruction.”

SOCIAL VALUE

At CWS, we believe that creating real social value goes beyond delivery on site—it’s about actively shaping the future of the construction industry.
In 2025, we were proud to attend and contribute to the Build Salford Annual Conference, an event that brought together industry leaders, education providers, and local employers to champion inclusive opportunities, skills development, and career pathways into construction.

As part of the event, our Founder, Tony Banks, was invited to speak on a panel, sharing his personal journey within the industry and highlighting the importance of hard work, resilience, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

This contribution reflects our ongoing commitment to not only supporting initiatives like Build Salford, but also actively participating in conversations that drive meaningful change across the sector.

Through our involvement in the programme, we have:

• Provided hands-on work placements on live construction projects
• Supported individuals in gaining real industry experience
• Successfully offered employment to 8 individuals from the local community

The wider impact of Build Salford continues to be significant, creating job opportunities, delivering extensive work experience, and engaging hundreds of local residents in training programmes—helping to build a more inclusive and skilled workforce.

At CWS, we are proud to stand alongside partners such as Domis Construction and F&T Terrix Ltd, working collaboratively to support the next generation of construction professionals.

“Sharing knowledge and experience is key to building the future of our industry. By creating opportunities and supporting others, we can help shape careers, strengthen communities, and drive lasting change.”

At the NWSCHG Awards Evening, we were proud to take part in the charity auction, bidding on an England football shirt and going head-to-head with Civil/Mayos. While the competition brought a great atmosphere to the room, the evening was about far more than the item itself.

Together, an incredible £17,500 was raised in support of Mindflow, a cause dedicated to tackling mental health challenges within the construction industry.

The reality is stark — 56% of construction workers are currently experiencing mental health struggles, and individuals in our industry are 10 times more likely to take their own lives than to die in a workplace accident. These statistics highlight just how important it is to continue raising awareness, breaking stigmas, and providing support.

We’re proud to stand alongside others in the industry to support such an important cause and to play a small part in driving positive change.