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FHDC Community Project – This week our team, lead by our Project Manager, Dan Jones,  had the pleasure of joining a community initiative in Folkestone, working alongside staff from Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) and local volunteers. The activity, which focused on clearing rubbish and managing overgrown vegetation, formed part of our ongoing commitment to Social Value under a tender we secured with FHDC some time ago.

Together, we carried out a thorough litter-picking session, tidied up the area, and removed accumulated waste. With the use of one of our vehicles, all rubbish was safely transported back to our yard for recycling, ensuring that the project not only improved the environment locally but also supported wider sustainability goals. Tonne bags were emptied and put back into our reuse project.

In addition to the clean-up, our team undertook minor repairs to gates and fencing, helping to restore the area to a safer and more welcoming condition for residents. Once again, thank you to all those who supported this FHDC Community Project.

Despite the rather miserable weather, everyone involved brought great energy and commitment. We’d like to extend our thanks to all who took part. Small, localised efforts such as this can have a lasting impact—transforming neglected areas into cleaner, safer, and more inviting spaces for the community to enjoy. What may appear a modest act can, over time, create meaningful change, encouraging pride of place and reducing the likelihood of further neglect.

This activity is part of our wider approach to embedding Social Value into every project we deliver. For us, Social Value goes beyond contractual obligations; it’s about actively supporting the communities in which we operate. Whether through volunteering, recycling initiatives, or partnerships with local groups, our goal is to leave a positive legacy that extends far beyond the lifespan of a project.

Our own recycling and Social Value programme, now running successfully for almost three years, continues to surpass expectations in terms of both reach and impact. Originally launched with the simple idea of preventing surplus construction materials from going to waste, it has grown into a cornerstone of our community engagement strategy. Today, it allows us not only to minimise the environmental footprint of our projects but also to support schools, charities, and community organisations in practical, creative, and cost-saving ways.

We are consistently inspired by the imagination of the groups we work with. Materials that once seemed destined for disposal are being given new life in innovative ways. Bricks removed from construction sites are now used as training aids for students in local colleges, helping to build hands-on skills. Wooden pallets have been repurposed into outdoor learning equipment for forest schools and community gardens. Even surplus or used electrical items are being rehomed with railway heritage sites, colleges, and charity fundraising groups.

This circular approach ensures that resources continue to provide value long after they leave our sites, reflecting both environmental responsibility and community benefit.

If you are a local school, charity, or community organisation interested in finding out more about how we can support your work, we would be delighted to hear from you. Together, we can continue building stronger, cleaner, and more resilient communities.

AW Group is a multi-disciplined construction company providing a broad range of support and manpower across building and rail projects.

Our Fields are:

AW Construction – We offer an outstanding UK-wide fit out service, taking care of everything from scheduling rollouts & ordering materials to assistance with design and onsite delivery

AW Rail – We use the very best labour force and a proactive approach to deliver first-class construction and maintenance projects across the rail industry

AW Labour – We provide a high-calibre blue collar and white-collar workforce with a diverse range of skills, to support the construction and rail industries