About us
OUR SOCIAL VALUE
Being aware of the social value and impact of what we do, looking after our employees, and ensuring safety and best practice. All these are all core to our company ethos.
In addition, we are keen to help the communities in which we live and work.
Roadways is a regular supporter of local charities in the South East. Everyone in the company is tasked with donating one day a year to a charitable cause.
Roadways aims to complete one charity project each month, if not more!
In 2020, our efforts included:
- Resurfacing the car park for The JFK Project in Eastbourne
- Groundworks and garden maintenance to give pupils at Motcombe Infants School in Eastbourne new flower and vegetable growing areas, and building a new play house, mini bridges and a safe mud garden
- Donations of safety cones for COVID-19 testing stations in Haywards Heath and Crawley
- Collecting toys and gifts to make over 30 boxes for patients at The Royal Alexandra Hospital, Brighton, and The Salvation Army
We have already embarked on our 2021 community support programme, starting with some groundworks and a new polytunnel at Little Gate Farm, Rye.
ENTERPRISE ADVISORS & INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS
We are Enterprise Advisers for East Sussex County Council’s Careers Hub, working with Hailsham Community College students.
We regularly talk to local schools and colleges about careers in STEM subjects and construction.
We are also Industry Champions, regularly promoting best practice within the construction industry, sitting on task force groups, and talking to the media.
CASE STUDY - THE JPK SUSSEX PROJECT
The JPK Sussex Project provides opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Roadways was asked if we could donate time and resources to the charity which was reopening its café after lockdown and had to fulfil Health & Safety obligations. There were holes in the ground which were hazardous for the public, particularly those with visual impairments and other disabilities. We were delighted to help – using about half a tonne of asphalt to improve the areas that needed immediate attention.
Jill Parker MBE from The JPK Sussex Project said: “I am immensely grateful for the work you did in our car park as a donation. Your team was very efficient and friendly and a pleasure to work with. Your wonderful generous support ‘has made a difference’. ”
CASE STUDY - MOTCOMBE COMMUNITY INFANT SCHOOL
As the schools returned after lockdown, Roadways responded to a plea from Motcombe Infants School in Eastbourne to improve the children’s play gardens, making them safer for pupils.
We sent Michael and Simon from our team, who spent two days at the school. They did gardening and grounds maintenance, starting by removing vegetation, cutting grass and preparing the areas for cultivation, to ensure the children would have safe new areas in which to grow flowers and vegetables. This meant they could learn about planting, nurturing, and cultivation.
They also built a new play house, mini bridges and a mud garden with safe soils for the children to play in and experiment. Some ground equipment which were previously obstacles were made safer. Ducting cut-offs were donated and upcycled for children to increase their creativity.
CB Winters & Sons of Polegate kindly donated top soil for the project.
Everyone at the school was very happy with the results and Roadways featured on the front page of the school’s newsletter. Emma Moore, the school’s foundation stage leader, commented, “Thanks so much to Roadways, it’s amazing! It’s so kind and generous and will make such a difference to the Motcombe environment for children to enjoy and learn in.”
CASE STUDY - LITTLE GATE FARM, RYE
Little Gate Farm is a charity based in Rye helping young people with learning disabilities and autism into paid work. They had a problem with a greenhouse (polytunnel) flooding every spring and after every big rain.
The charity asked for help and we were delighted to support. We provided materials and labour free of charge which rectified the problem.
Several contractors had tried to rectify the problem before but we resolved the underlying issues instead of simply making cosmetic fixes. We deployed six staff, a digger, a dumper and materials on site. The project took four days and saved the charity at least £6,000.
Andrea Randall-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Little Gate Farm, said: “We are still open (during lockdown) for trainees attending our farm for work training. I’d like to thank Roadways for their swift response. Their employees and the quality of their work have been amazing. They have been professional, polite and really have caused the least possible disruption which meant our clients could resume learning basic life skills through our Cut Flowers Programme, cultivating and growing flowers and vegetables.”
Roadways regularly supports the charity by hosting work experience programmes for Little Gate Farm trainees.
Bethany started with Roadways in 2019 as a work experience student. She was very shy and lacked confidence. After the first few months she opened up. The change was dramatic and we were all glad to help this beautiful young lady flourish. Subsequently we offered her an apprenticeship and now she helps the company achieve its goals, working remotely and in the offices when necessary.
