Summer of social value in the South East
This summer, our teams in the South East have been embracing the spirit of social value—bringing people together, supporting local causes, and creating meaningful experiences that go beyond the day-to-day delivery of infrastructure.
From heartfelt community projects to inspiring educational visits and team celebrations, here’s how we’ve been making a difference across our sites.
Hildenborough BBQ Bash – Celebrating team spirit
The Hildenborough team turned up the heat with a summer BBQ that brought everyone together to celebrate their hard work and achievements. With the grill fired up and the sun shining, the event was a chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy some well-earned downtime. But the real highlight was the camaraderie. “This BBQ wasn’t just about great food (though it was delicious),” said one team member, “it was about celebrating our teamwork, and the amazing people who make it all happen.”
A garden of remembrance at Kent and Sussex Hospital
In a deeply meaningful initiative, the LEHES project team has begun early works on a Baby Loss Memorial Garden at Kent and Sussex Hospital. The garden, designed in collaboration with a local family whose baby, Dexter, was born sleeping in November 2024, will offer a peaceful space for reflection and remembrance.
The family’s vision includes a water feature, memorial wall, and a remembrance tree where families can purchase leaves and flowers to honour their babies. VolkerStevin staff have already started preparing the site and will continue to support the project through hands-on work and land clearance.
“This project is just beginning,” said a team spokesperson, “so watch this space for more updates as we help create a place of comfort, remembrance, and hope.” The garden is set to open during Baby Loss Awareness Week in October.
Inspiring young minds at Leigh Primary School
At the Leigh Expansion and Hildenborough Embankment Scheme, the team recently welcomed pupils from Leigh Primary School for an educational site visit. The day began with a presentation on flood defence and civil engineering, followed by activity sheets that tested their listening skills—and the pupils rose to the challenge with enthusiasm and curiosity.
A guided tour of the site gave them a close-up look at the work being done to protect their community. Jo Shobbrook, Headteacher at Leigh Primary School, shared:
“This was a fantastic experience for our pupils. They were inspired by what they saw and learned so much about how engineering helps protect our environment and communities. We’re very grateful to the team for making it so engaging and memorable.”
Supporting the Kingfisher Mark on the River Medway
Our commitment to community support continued with a visit to the Kingfisher Mark electric boat project, where we donated a new, eco-friendly bench and carried out essential dock repairs. The bench, made from recycled plastic and built to withstand the riverside elements, was gratefully received by the Kingfisher Medway Trust.
Steve Wood, Chair of the Trust, said:
“We are delighted with the bench that VolkerStevin has gifted to us. It has been put to immediate use by our passengers and fits well with our environmentally friendly operational policy. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
The Kingfisher Mark provides peaceful, accessible river trips for people with physical and mental disabilities, and we’re proud to help make the experience even safer and more enjoyable.
