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Working in the Community

Rydon has practiced responsibility as a corporate citizen since the company was established in 1978. The company's values and ethics, based on a respect for individuals and for the environment, have been rooted in our company since long before the modern-day concept of Corporate Social Responsibility became significant. In keeping with the times, we have moved towards a more conscious approach to our corporate responsibilities that allows us to report with confidence on our standards and performance on all aspects of our behaviour. Within the North London Region, we are committed to understanding, measuring and improving on all possible aspects of our work and practices that have an impact on those people and places with whom we engage.

In support of this, the North London Region of Rydon Maintenance recently joined up with Homes for Islington's (HFI's) Community & Service Development Team, as part of the drive to improve its links within the local community.

The joint partnering approach is aimed at delivering future ‘good will' projects throughout the Islington Borough and contributes towards the key principles and objectives of the Rydon CSR Policy.

Taking action

Rydon Maintenance and their employees are committed to volunteering their time to good causes within the local community.

The first project undertaken by Rydon Maintenance North London Region was the re-decoration of a children's play area just off the Liverpool Rd, within the Islington PFI2 patch.

A meeting was held with one of HFI's Community & Service Development Officers and several possible projects were discussed.

One option was the Mersey Estate which had recently undergone refurbishment as part of the decent homes standard by one of our competitors. However, these works did not include for the improvement of the play ground situated in the middle of the estate serving some 82 dwellings.

Following the meeting with HFI, the Management Team of Rydon Maintenance approached the Operatives and office staff within the North London Region, and asked for volunteers to help improve the facilities for the benefit of the local children. The request for volunteers for the project was communicated through Team Briefings, the staff Intranet and the staff notice board. Once word got out, interest intensified.

The number of staff willing to contribute their time to the project was a testament to the staff themselves. In total 12 members of office and site based staff volunteered, from fully qualified trade's people to general administrators and customer service staff. This equated to roughly 136 man hours contributed to the project in total.

All those staff involved donned overalls for the week and re-painted the swings, slides, climbing frames and surrounding metal fences, giving the area a well deserved face lift.

Two of the volunteers were Apprentices recently recruited via the ‘Get into Construction Programme', run in conjunction with The Prince's Trust. The project proved the perfect opportunity to test their painting skills!

Due to the success of the project, the Mayor of Islington attended, following completion of the works, and officially re-opened the play ground.

Several children from the local estate were present for the opening and wasted no time in enjoying the refurbished facilities.

The Mayor was only too happy to spend the afternoon talking with local residents and watch the local children enjoy themselves on the clean, bright, colourful facilities. The Mayor was even brave enough to let the children push her on the swings!

What's next?

The aim of our Corporate Social Responsibility approach is to positively impact and contribute to the Environmental, Social and Economic wellbeing of the local area. The challenge has been moving from ‘good intentions to good actions' and the redecoration of the Mersey Estate play ground is one of many in a long line of good will projects delivered by Rydon Maintenance.

But it can't end there...

As part of the Rydon sustainable approach, which is an integral part of the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, the Rydon Team will be re-visiting the play area early next year, to make sure it's still in good condition - touching up any areas of wear & tear.

The joint approach Rydon have formed with HFI's Community & Service Development Team will ensure an ongoing mutual benefit to all those living within the local Borough - all a result of Rydon's embedded philosophy of ‘doing well through doing good'.