Social enterprise, Ethstat Ethical Stationary, has demonstrated the environmental and social impact of its partnership with leading infrastructure services and engineering company, Amey. Highlights from the positive impact report include 17,161 hours of Real Living Wage employment, 71 social enterprises supported and 225 tonnes of Co2 reductions.
In 2021, through Ethstat, Amey helped more than 130 communities from Cornwall to Scotland, Northern Ireland to East Anglia. The supported communities were as diverse as autistic adults, refugees, farmers, people experiencing homelessness, survivors of human trafficking and many more. Positive outcomes from the report include 1,595 trees planted, 361,000 single use plastics removed and £54,113 towards dementia relief.
One of the success stories for Amey was a festive hamper ‘wrap and pack’ day. Ethstat procured and delivered 14,000 environmentally and ethically sourced hampers to Amey employees. The project provided well-paid employment and training for 113 people, mainly for those who usually face barriers to employment, and supported 71 social enterprises across the UK who fulfilled the large orders.
Amey employees, including its CEO, joined the packing days to help pack the products and meet some of the people that were benefiting from using spending power for good. It was such a success that Amey is repeating the initiative for 2022.
Emily Davies, Director of Social Impact, Amey, commented: “Choosing to partner with social enterprise is a great and easy way to maxmise benefits to people and planet through supply chain spend. We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with EthStat – working together to create a shared vision of an inclusive economy that contributes to environmental sustainability – and excited by the ideas and innovation that social enterprise continues to bring.”
Bruce, Ethstat Ethical Stationery CIC, commented: “Amey has been instrumental in the growth of the social enterprise sector. Their support of Ethstat allows us to take action across three fronts at a time when the poverty crisis has hit us all.
“Firstly, we have been able to support other local SE’s, Coops, SMES and UK manufacturers who need our help.
“Secondly, we have been able to impact street homeless and vulnerable community members and give them Higher Living Wage, CV skills and regular and permanent employment with Amey’s forward PO’s, consistent forward planning and can-do approach to our supply chain.
“Finally, the strides made in innovative, sustainable solutions, ensure we are leading the way with Scope 3, climate-positive world first procurement.”
Highlights from the report include:
- 17,161 hours of Real Living Wage employment
- 73 job placements created
- 71 social enterprise and ‘for purpose’ businesses in the extended supply chain
- 131 communities supported
- 1,595 native trees planted
- 225 tonnes of Co2 removed
- 361,000 single use plastics removed
Amey embarked on its partnership with Ethstat Ethical Stationery in 2020 to use its spending power to deliver a range of environmental and social benefits. As a community interest company reinvesting profits to end homelessness, Ethstat firmly believes in responsible procurement in making positive changes to people’s lives.
Earlier this year, Amey launched Bolder Steps Together, its five-year strategy to make delivering benefits for people, places and planet a key driver in its service delivery. It recognises the need for businesses to bring leadership, pace and transparency to their approach and a focus on near-term action alongside longer-term ambition.
As part of this, Amey has committed to leave a positive legacy in the communities it serves, collaborate with SME’s and VCSE’s for positive outcomes, achieve Net Zero, and more. Partnerships, like the one with Ethstat, also support Amey with its social impact ambitions.
View the full report, here.
