VWUK - Platinum Awards 2021

Platinum Awards - Our Nomination for HMP Highpoint, Sensory Garden

Back in April, I shared with you that the team of Lot4 and myself had been nominated as finalists for the Sustainability, Environmental and Social Value Champion Awards, at our prestigious VolkerWessels UK Platinum awards.

Held last Thursday, (26th) at the prestigious Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, I’m delighted to tell you that we did it – Wow! - it was a fantastic event and evening.?The atmosphere was brilliant and there was so much talent within the room.?160 colleagues across several of our businesses came together to celebrate both personal and team achievements.?The Platinum Awards, rewards excellence and showcases innovation which highlights the outstanding work of individuals and teams.

There were more than 240 nominations across the business, so to be recognised as a finalist was a massive accomplishment, so to have won, is colossal!

A huge and sincere thanks to my colleagues who supported and allowed for this to happen.?

James McMorrow, Head of Sustainability, with whom I initially shared the idea and helped in driving it forward.?Paul Lilley, Operations Director who joined me and James with a visit to Highpoint, to obtain further understanding of their requirements, for which Paul gave the ‘green light’ to proceed. Graeme Howard, Project Director for leading on the build, Kevin Quinlan, Senior Buyer who procured materials and of the course, the late Andy Campbell, Foreman, who played a significant role in the actual build.

I’d also like to thank our partnering organisations, Erith Contractors, Galldris, Toppesfield, Danny Sullivan and Fen Contracts for their kind and generous contributions, in helping us achieve this.??

I am incredibly proud to have been part of this and the team who made it happen.?This is a worthwhile cause which has made a positive difference to those who’s use the garden. Its aim is to support both staff and prisoners in a time of crisis.?Crisis is defined as ‘those who have threatened to self-harm, have self-harmed or those that have made serious attempt in taking their own life”

It’s aided in the mental well-being of the users of the garden, and has also supported the senior management team at Highpoint in helping them deliver their behavioural change and rehabilitation programme.?

I am looking forward to seeing the gardens development when I return next month, and of course to give them the exciting news that the Sensory Garden received the award!