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“Bags of sugar would appear on doorsteps” sounds like a cliche of community spirit in hard times. But on the St. Modwen development at Longbridge, near Birmingham, during the pandemic that’s what happened. “People were really rallying round,” says 64 year old Mike Pattison, who has lived there for six years with his wife, and in lockdown adult son Alex too (the garage at the four bed detached house is “currently full of his stuff, so that’s handy”, Pattison laughs). After two decades of investment something other than homes have been built at the former MG Rover plant. Shared lives, not just shelter. Community fundraising launched a children’s charity with a local couple who lost their two infant sons, even before Covid. “There’s a dynamic mix of professions and backgrounds living here, the local hairdresser to engineers,” Pattinson says, “and open places where they can all get together”.
On October 9th, St. Modwen, the master developer for the new Kingsgrove community in Wantage, held a family-friendly community day to mark the reveal of a new sculpture and artwork commissioned to celebrate the completion of Kingsgrove’s new public square and park. In partnership with the Wantage Primary Academy PTA, St. Modwen invited residents, neighbours, councillors, and local groups to come together for an afternoon of fun, music and food to celebrate a huge milestone in the delivery of the 1500 home community in Wantage. Starting at the Wantage Primary Academy, visitors could enter raffles, tombolas and get involved with fun-filled stalls, as well as view the new school’s grounds that welcomed its first students in September 2020.
Three St. Modwen Homes Site Managers have been awarded with the prestigious NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award to recognise their continuous commitment to the highest standards within the housebuilding industry. Brett Larkins of Hilton Valley, Derbyshire, Aurie Cox of Victoria Park, Staffordshire and Matt Cayless of Langford Mills, Somerset deservedly joined the list of the nations most impressive site managers at this years regional awards ceremonies. The annual awards celebrates individuals efforts in raising the standards in home building and their contribution to the delivery of high-quality new homes. By recognising the very best site managers across the UK, the competition showcases the vital role they play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards.
St. Modwen have joined forces with the World Green Building Council (WGBC) and UK Green Building Council (UKBGC) to become a commercial partner for the Build Better Now campaign, forming part of the COP26 Built Environment Virtual Pavilion. Build Better Now is an engaging, virtual experience and event series showcasing some of the most innovative design projects from around the world which demonstrate the opportunities for sustainability in the Built Environment. From climate mitigation and adaptation to natural resource use and nature-based solutions, Build Better Now will raise awareness of the environmental impact of the buildings and cities we inhabit, offer innovative and practical solutions to mitigating climate change and highlight how a more responsible and sustainable built environment is within our grasp.
As part of our commitment to prioritise employee welfare and mental wellbeing, we have recently signed and committed to the Building Mental Health Charter, a voluntary initiative which aims to support organisations in the construction sector to demonstrate their commitment to raising awareness of mental health issues, lowering stigma, promoting understanding and supporting their employees. Building Mental Health is a construction industry-specific framework led by sector experts which provides support and advice to both employers and employees. By signing the charter, St. Modwen is furthering its commitment to promoting positive mental health through workshops, educating and enabling mental health champions and continuing to provide employees with access to Mental Health First Aiders.
