In the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, two major infrastructure projects have demonstrated how construction can deliver meaningful benefits to local communities.
Willmott Dixon's delivery of both a new headquarters for West Yorkshire Police in Dewsbury and a combined headquarters for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in Birkenshaw - complete with training centre and fire station - showcase how construction projects can leave a lasting positive legacy through carefully planned social value programmes that unite people and create opportunities for local communities.
Procured through the SCAPE national construction framework, our partnership provided the foundation for a long-term, values-driven partnership between Willmott Dixon, West Yorkshire Police, and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. SCAPE’s emphasis on social value allowed effective collaboration with the customer to embed community benefit into the project plan.
The projects delivered more than the modernised, sustainable emergency service infrastructure that saves £250,000 annually in running costs for the customer – the total social value achievements across both projects include:
- £18 million local economic investment
- 161 weeks of apprenticeships created
- 369 hours of youth employment support
- 30+ weeks of training delivered
Transforming Top Club
One of the success stories from this collaboration was the transformation of the Top Club in Ashbrow. A former working men's club, this building was acquired by Local Services 2 You - a grassroots organisation with an ambition to create a vibrant hub for education, culture, and digital inclusion. However, limited resources had made progress difficult.
We joined forces with West Yorkshire Police and Fire and Rescue Service to help bring the vision to life. A dedicated team of volunteers worked to assess safety requirements, repair damage, and collect donated materials for the extensive refurbishment process. This collaborative effort involved reupholstering furniture, fixing persistent leaks, replacing worn flooring, and completely repainting the interior to create a welcoming environment.
The transformation became a focal point for the community as emergency service personnel worked shoulder to shoulder with local businesses and supply chain partners to give this key community infrastructure a much-needed makeover. The result is a safe, welcoming space that now serves as an important asset for the community in Deighton.
Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths of Kirklees Police said:
“We are committed to delivering social value for our communities through major contracts such as the building of the Kirklees District Headquarters and are delighted at the investment in Kirklees our contractor Willmott Dixon is providing.
“Our own officers and staff have contributed to this worthwhile project at the Top Club, and I would also like to thank them for their efforts. We believe that this new centre will be a vital asset for the community of Deighton and look forward to seeing what opportunities it provides for people in the area.”
Supporting neurodiverse young people
Another aspect of our work in Kirklees saw our people support the Witherslack Group, which operates 35 SEN schools nationally, to organise site visits and workshops, offering employability skills, careers training and mentoring. The initiative saw 134 students with special educational needs participate in total.
Witherslack Group CEO Tracey Fletcher-Ray said:
“I am delighted that Wilmott Dixon’s outstanding support of our Futures programme is being recognised through our recently launched Futures Employer Award. This award honours organisations that truly lead the way in creating workplace cultures and environments that celebrate neurodiversity and accelerate young people's futures.
“Willmott Dixon is a real exemplar of this and so it is truly fitting that they are one of the first organisations in the country to receive this recognition. A huge congratulations to everyone involved, and appreciation for their ongoing support of the Futures programme.”
In recognition of our efforts, Willmott Dixon received a Future Employers Award from Witherslack Group and the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity. Members of our Social Value and delivery team collected the award outside Top Club in May 2024.
Building Lives: Skills, Confidence, and Careers
Social value delivery also extended into education and employment initiatives for local people facing barriers to work. At Kirklees College’s Pioneer Higher Skills Centre, we set up a Building Lives Academy - the programme was designed to support adults over 24 who were not in education, employment, or training.
With support from Job Centre Plus and the Department for Work and Pensions, eleven Willmott Dixon employees volunteered to deliver hands-on construction training. Participants engaged in practical projects, including a bird box challenge designed by college students, and developed essential employability skills such as CV writing and interview preparation.
Steve Plumstead, Director of Curriculum at Kirklees College, said:
“Education isn't always about qualifications. Ensuring people have an opportunity to get into employment is something we believe in.”
The project team also worked with local schools to create opportunities to tour the site, such as the visit by Brighouse High School in June 2024 (below).
Local Jobs, Local Growth
Throughout the construction phase, an average of 50% of the workforce lived within 20 miles of the sites. This local hiring approach not only supported the regional economy but also ensured that the benefits of the projects were felt close to home.
These numbers represent more than just procurement metrics—they reflect lives changed, skills developed, and communities strengthened.
A Lasting Legacy Through SCAPE
Throughout Willmott Dixon's extensive 20-year partnership with the SCAPE framework, the collaboration has been about our shared commitment to meaningful, long-term community outcomes.
The Kirklees programme provides a blueprint for future projects demonstrating how carefully planned social value delivered in partnership with like-minded customers can ensure construction leaves a positive legacy for people and organisations in the communities where we work.
