Supporting Communities
“It’s Good to Do Good”
Much of our success has been built on the work we do in the social housing sector. We believe it’s important you should give something back to the communities in which you’re working. Here are just some of the things we’re doing to achieve that.
At Evolution we create positive social impact everywhere we work, building a brighter, sustainable future for those living in our communities.
Evolution Managing Director JJ Fitzgerald
“Providing tenants with better places to live is always the focus of our work, and it makes sense to extend our support by sharing our expertise and skills to help tenants develop these skills. It’s part of building thriving communities which is at the core of everything we do at Evolution.”
- Building Thriving Communities
- Protecting our planet
- Investing in people
- Responsible business practices
We employ up to 80 people and we use local labour and materials to ensure we deliver the maximum social impact to communities where we work.
We also invest in people, not just places – creating a lasting legacy of skills – rather than just buildings.
Apprentice Ambassador
Dan Ogden, our Apprentice Ambassador, has been invited by the Lancashire Work Based Learning Forum to participate in careers events. Dan engages with students and their parents, providing valuable insights into the advantages and considerations of pursuing a degree-level apprenticeship.
Inspiring next generation
Evolution’s Jess Corbett is training to become a STEM ambassador and she and Dave Spalding are among several members of our team who attend careers days at a range of secondary schools and primary schools, to support young people on their construction career journey.
Apprenticeships
We currently have four apprentices employed at Evolution. Three are doing a Level 2 apprenticeship in their chosen trade, and Dan is working towards a BSC Honours degree in Quantity Surveying.
Disability Confident Employer
We are a Disability Confident employer. A disability confident employer is an employer that has joined a UK Government scheme to support and include disabled people in the workplace. We are committed to increasing understanding and challenging attitudes towards disability, removing barriers, and providing opportunities for disabled people to realise their potential.
Care Leavers Covenant
We are in the process of signing the Care Leavers Covenant to recognise the work we do to help young people leaving care to transition into work. We provide work experience placements and help them prepare for interviews.
Fylde Coast Responsible Business Network
We are proud to be members of the Fylde Coast Responsible Business Network, reflecting our commitment to working collaboratively with local companies for the greater good of the local area.
Always supporting our communities
We put communities at the heart of our operations all year round. Each December we partner with My Blackpool Home to purchase gifts and deliver them to tenants in need across Blackpool. Every year we also support a charity Dragon Boat Race at Fairhaven Lake to raise money for the Blue Skies Hospitals Fund which supports thousands of children. We have also provided support for a family in need to enjoy a range of family days out during the summer holidays. – Just want to speak about this section with you
Supporting Borrow It Blackpool
We are working in partnership with Borrow It Blackpool to support a series of skills workshops. Funding from the Blackpool Coastal Housing Tenant Support Fund has enabled Borrow It Blackpool to fund 16 workshops at Blackpool Coastal Housing Community Centres, over the next year – four each in DIY and Decorating which we at Evolution are supporting.
Apprenticeships That Mean Something
We aim to take on at least one new apprentice every year. We commit to their training and give successful apprentices permanent jobs after their apprenticeship ends and pay them more than the basic apprenticeship rate.
Under the Lancashire Skills Pledge Evolution is committed to:
- Providing work experience and industry placements.
- Up skilling our own workforce
- Helping young people get work ready.
- Taking on apprentices.
- Employing an Apprentice Ambassador
- Recruiting local people
We are dedicated to enhancing skills across Blackpool by leveraging the expertise and knowledge of our staff to facilitate the integration of new people into the industry. In recognition of our commitment, we are a Lancashire Skills Pledge partner and work closely with the Lancashire Skills and Employment hub to support events across the county.
Sponsorships
Fleetwood Town FC
Fleetwood Town was facing a challenge of ensuring its juniors kept attending training sessions. In another deprived area, the club had found that when parents are embarrassed that their child isn’t in the latest kit (or without a kit at all), they’ll often drop out of training. So now, when local kids turn up for three successive trainings sessions, they’ll be given a kit paid for by us – so everyone feels included.
Layton & Fylde ABC
Boxing clubs can be a real benefit to communities, but they’re traditionally tough things to keep financed.
For Layton & Fylde ABC, a boxing club based in one of the most deprived areas of Blackpool, we’ve bought kit, bags and other equipment, donated funds and rewired the building to modern safety standards.
