Social Value

Social value and sustainability are embedded in Weavers Cross.

The project is founded on a commitment to delivering tangible, enduring benefits for communities, the wider region and the environment through a comprehensive approach to social value and sustainability.

MRP Social Value Strategy

Weavers Cross will deliver a wide range of social value benefits, focussed around six core themes:

Promoting skills and employment

Creating opportunities within local communities to develop new skills and gain meaningful employment.

Supporting the Growth of Responsible Regional Businesses

Providing local businesses with the skills to compete and the opportunity to work as part of public sector and major supply chains.

Creating Healthier, Safer and More Resilient Communities

Building stronger and deeper relationships with the voluntary and social enterprise sectors while continuing to engage and empower citizens.

Protecting and Improving our Environment

Ensuring the places people live and work are cleaner and greener, to promote sustainable procurement and help protect the planet’s future.

Promoting Social Innovation

Encouraging new ideas and the pursuit of innovative solutions to long-standing social issues.

Diversity – Recognising and promoting Differences

Embedding inclusivity and diversity and the benefits these bring to the workforce, to local communities and to Belfast as an international city.

Social Value and Belfast Grand Central Station

Belfast Grand Central Station has set a new benchmark for social impact – exceeding expectations in job creation, skills development, community investment and social enterprise engagement. A building that is a catalyst for social progress, creating opportunities, supporting communities, and delivering a lasting legacy of inclusion and economic empowerment.

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The project generated a proxy social value of over £1 million:

  • delivering 265% of its social value target
  • creating a total of 239 jobs for underrepresented groups
  • adding 109 placements and apprenticeships
  • making £500,000 of in-kind donations to community initiatives
  • contributing 800+ hours of volunteering and collaboration with 45 social enterprises.

Combined Social Value on live contracts

37,151.8

points gained on the project (total required 14,400)

109

placements and apprenticeships on the project

239

employment opportunities for under-represented groups

97

educational attainment events

120

environmental awareness initiatives

72

health and wellbeing initiatives

45

social enterprises used to date

804

community volunteering hours