Community
The Helen Hick Stroke Foundation
Larkfleet Group has set-up The Helen Hick Stroke Foundation which aims to arrange Support Groups, for people who’ve suffered from a stroke. Creating these groups will enable people to talk and share their experience, the younger sufferers (under 70) are sometimes forgotten - our aim is to give support for all age groups, especially younger people.
We aim to raise funds for this charity - our first event is raising funds with an expedition to Mount Everest.
Environmental, social and economic sustainability is at the heart of the management agenda for the Larkfleet Group of Companies.
We aim to develop an economically sustainable business, support local communities, invest in education both inside and outside our business, and build the highest standards of environmental protection into our products and business practices.
We are investing in the future by supporting local schools and colleges. We are a signatory to the Home Builders Federation Home Building Skills Pledge which commits companies to working together and with subcontractors to recruit and train more people to the highest industry-agreed standards.
By investing in the training of our own staff, and by being inclusive and diverse in our recruitment, we will be able to future-proof our workforce to continue to deliver high quality new homes. We can then improve the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our business and the local communities in which it operates.
Greater Peterborough University Technical College
Larkfleet is one of three employer sponsors of the new Greater Peterborough University Technical College (GPUTC). We provide support and expertise to help deliver a new style of technical and business education which blends academic and practical learning. Larkfleet was involved at the very inception of the educational facility and Larkfleet Chairman, Karl Hick, sits on the school’s board of governors.
GPUTC is based in a £12 million state-of-the-art building and focuses on engineering and the built environment. It aims to educate the city’s future engineers, designers, architects and construction specialists. Its mission is to equip students with the technical skills and practical work experience needed for their chosen careers.
Combining academic study, vocational training and practical work experience, GPUTC delivers education based on ‘learning by doing’. It guarantees all its graduates a job interview with one or more of its industry sponsors at the end of their time at the school.
The course also fosters high levels of attendance, punctuality and professional conduct which translate into good working practices when the graduates start full time employment.
To assist with students’ learning, we have given GPUTC a scale model of a typical timber-framed house built by Larkfleet Homes which can be taken apart and re-assembled using Larkfleet drawings. The model helps students understand how a modern house is put together as well as getting to grips with topics such as architectural design and planning.
Larkfleet working with schools and colleges
The model house has proved to be such a success at GPUTC that a similar one has now been produced for New College Stamford – one of several other colleges with which Larkfleet has developed a relationship.
We are also working with younger children through school engagement. For example, we hosted a visit for year five and six pupils from Cottesmore Millfield Academy at our building site in Oakham, where the children interviewed staff about careers in the construction industry.
Employee training
We support the training and development of our staff not just with the essential skills required on site but in the professional disciplines needed in a modern construction business such as accountancy and architecture.
Contribution to the local economy
The Larkfleet Group of Companies invests heavily in the communities in which it operates, either by engaging the local supply chain or employing local people to work at our offices.
Wherever possible we support other local businesses by employing local consultants, contractors and sub-contractors.
We contribute to public services such as health, education and welfare through substantial payments of Corporation Tax, VAT, Fuel Duty, Vehicle Excise Duty, employer’s National Insurance contributions, business rates and other local and national taxes.
We actively support business organisations across our area of operation, playing a role in everything from chambers of commerce to the Confederation of British Industry. We are sponsors of a number of local business awards, championing the development of small and medium sized enterprises.