#KAEFERJourney Day 30

Day 30 of our #KAEFERJourney countdown is spent celebrating another story from the #KAEFERFamily, this time from Elizabeth Atkinson, Social Impact Manager based in Westlakes, Cumbria as part of our team at Sellafield.

Elizabeth has been with us for just five years in KAEFER UK&I's 50 years but has played a substantial part in KAEFER’s presence in the community in the Westlakes and greater Cumbria area. Elizabeth’s work includes careers fairs, talks at local schools and even being part of the massive tree-planting effort in Cumbria earlier this year, which saw 2544 trees planted in the local area.

Elizabeth originally joined the KAEFER team in 2016 to set up the Westview Science Park offsite offices in Cumbria, but her role was quickly transformed into her current one of Social Impact Manager.

“Social Impact wasn’t a big thing when I started with the company but as it grew as a concept across Sellafield, my background of working with the most vulnerable and deprived in our local communities meant that I naturally fell into this role.”

In recent years, KAEFER in Cumbria went from sponsoring local sports teams to having a social-economic strategy and policy with a three-strand programme covering education outreach, communities and charities as well as training and development. “It’s no longer just about corporate social responsibility, it is about delivering long-term social value within our community,” Elizabeth explains.

During her five years at KAEFER UK & Ireland, Elizabeth has experienced many firsts in her career – from winning awards for our social impact work and being on local television to delivering a presentation on our work to an audience of 300, “All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support, professionalism and colleagueship of the KAEFER team in Cumbria.”

Elizabeth feels her role has put her out of her comfort zone and into a completely different industry, “During this time, I have built an extensive professional network as well as new friendships. I have had and continue to have opportunities to support our local communities through innovative and interesting projects and initiatives.”

“A highlight of my job is the development and delivery of our bespoke schools outreach programme. Going into local schools and interacting with the pupils, whether primary or secondary, who will be our future workforce is always enlightening and engaging. I am confident that the next 50 years for KAEFER in the UK and Ireland will be filled with more meaningful and worthwhile community support in the areas where we work.”

Thank you Elizabeth and all of the team in Cumbria, you have done incredible work!

To see all the other #KAEFERJourney stories, visit our website at https://kaeferltd.co.uk/50-Years-of-KAEFER-UK-Ireland.html