Footie Fun Fundraiser Challenge

The Moortown Marauders go head-to-head with IHP Derby United for a footie fun fundraiser challenge!

On Thursday 14^th September, our site team based at Derby Kingsway Hospital have been eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated Charity match with IHP, and they didn’t disappoint.

Held at the nearby Rykneld Sports Centre, our Head Coach Kev Bourke has done a fantastic job of rallying a team together with our team line-up being:

• Sam Irish
• Tom Warrington
• Kian Barrett
• Olly Grundy
• Tom Beever
• Sam Peake

­IHP were fast out of the blocks but were met with a resolute Moortown defence, headed by the immoveable object aka Kian Barrett. He was in total control throughout the game and epitomised side before self. In front of him was the stoic “Sam thou shall not pass Irish”.

IHP quickly ran out of steam but never gave up the ghost even after going 1-0 within the first 10 minutes.

Moortown’s midfielders Olly “Rolls Royce” Grundy and Tom “Ferrari “Beever were headed by Tom “Messi” Warrington and dominated ball possession for the entire game.

The midfield generals had the luxury of feeding Sam Ronaldo Peake who spearheaded the attack with the verve of a man half his age and was always available for the ball despite some rather overzealous defending.

A second goal from Tom “Messi” Warrington just before half time sealed IHP’s fate. Tom was outstanding throughout. Harry Leadbetter in goal for IHP was inspired keeping the score line respectable and within reach of salvation as the first half came to an end.

In the second half, IHP led a spirited comeback inspired by James Beardmore leading from the front and threading passes through to the forwards. Moortown’s impregnable defence held firm and could have increased the lead if it wasn’t for the heroics of star keeper Harry Leadbetter. By the end of the game the Moortown Marauders were in comfortable control.

Great effort by both teams, with a final score of 2-0 to the Moortown Marauders!

It’s still not too late to make a donation to the wonderful local charity Community Action Derby, as the beneficiary of any monies we raise, with all your donations going directly to the cause.

Community Action Derby is a registered charity which provides support and guidance for voluntary and community groups, with the aim of enhancing life in Derby through voluntary action.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ihp-derbyshire-5-a-side-footy

Integrated Health Projects (IHP) is the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, has been appointed by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the design and construction of two 54-bed mental health facilities for Adult Acute Care (AAU) at the Kingsway Hospital in Derby and in the grounds of Chesterfield Royal Hospital, the former also including a 14-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Works underway at Cockburn School

It’s been a busy few months setting up site and getting our kit over to a new project at Cockburn School in Leeds with Leeds City Council. Works have been underway since mid-July and have been progressing well:

• Completed drainage
• Completed kerbs to pitch perimeter
• Commenced fencing to secure line boundary
• Commenced fencing to sports pitch

With future works including the:

• Planting of trees and seeding works to commence next week
• Asphalt to Tennis courts commencing early October
• Synthetic grass to 3G pitch commencing mid-October.

From the air Clevershot have done a great job of capturing some of these initial elements and will be keeping an eye on the development of the project.

Health & Safety Roadshow Part 1

Following on from our recent company-wide Safety Stand Down day that took place at our HQ a couple of weeks ago, we’ve decided to take things a step further by rolling out a Health and Safety Roadshow initiative to emphasise key messages and high standards to the wider workforce. 

   

After taking time to reflect on our safety operations with all our Managers, Supervisors and Engineers, we have made it our mission to ensure all of our site teams hear this information first hand in order to engage fully and promote a strong focus on behavioural change.

   

Our HSQE Director, Jonathan Milnes and Operations Director, Richard Mitchell have been delivering the first leg of the Health and Safety Roadshow up and down the country, communicating a collective responsibility to all. 

  

To date, we’ve conducted six site visits that have included the HMP Millsike project in East Yorkshire, Project SOFIA in the North East, a Critical National Infrastructure Project, the Kingsway Hospital in Derby, the Chesterfield Royal Hospital and the Montagu Hospital in Mexborough.

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We want to make it clear to all the clients we work with how deeply committed we are to demonstrating a united effort and addressing any issues in order to move forward with the right consistent approach to working safely at all times.

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Health and Safety figures for 2022/23 released by the HSE reveal that 135 workers sustained fatal injuries last year across all industries, which is up from 123 the previous year. The three most common causes of fatal injuries are falls from height (40), being struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20).

With these statistics in mind, it is a stark reminder that the works undertaken are high risk and require careful planning and consideration for the environments that we work in.

The main hazards and risks which apply to a huge portion of our workforce cover: 

• people working in the construction industry
• working at height
• workers aged 60 or over – we would take it that this demographic have a significant amount of experience within the industry 

We do not want to become part of these statistics, and appreciate the feedback and support from the site teams so far who have been part of the Roadshow experience. The Roadshow will continue across other sites resuming in September, due to the peak holiday season. 

We’d like to thank our clients for supporting our Roadshow initiative and to our fantastic workforce who do uphold our company values when arriving on site each day.

Boho X Handover

We’re delighted to share the recent project completion of Boho X in the North East. Working with Galliford Try, the project began in September 2021.

Constructed with 7 floors, this 60,000 square foot of space will be an attractive facility for a wide range of digital businesses to expand and grow in the North East area. Situated in Middlesborough between Gosford Street and Feversham Street, in what is now becoming known as the Boho regeneration area.

Over two visits, our works package included:

Visit 1

• 7 storey slipform core
• Supply and installation of PCC stairs
• Foundations
• Drainage
• Ground floor slab

Visit 2

External Works including:

• Installation of PC terrace seating
• Hard landscape works

Prison leaver opportunities

A drive to increase employment opportunities for prison leavers in construction.

Did you know… reoffending is estimated to cost the UK £18bn per year? Like most things, this money could be better spent elsewhere if we could help break this relentless money pit cycle. Latest research from the Government shows:

• Only 17% of ex-offenders manage to get a job within a year of release
• 81% of people think that businesses employing ex-offenders are making a positive contribution to society
• 86% of employers of ex-offenders rate them as good at their job
• 92% of employers say diverse recruitment has enhanced their reputation, helping them win new contracts

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unlock-opportunity-employer-information-pack-and-case-studies/employing-prisoners-and-ex-offenders

As part of Kier’s Social Values initiatives, we’ve been supporting a particular focus on the implementation of work opportunities for the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and prisoners on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). These opportunities involve industry workshops, ROTL placements and employment of prison leavers as part of their Making Ground programme.

Currently at one of our MoJ sites at HMP Millsike, we have two ROTL guys and one ex-offender that have been working on site for several weeks. They were both hired as labourers with a view to become a dumper operator / apprentice groundworker. Their CSCS cards are acquired through the prison, where they can then progress to get their dumper roller license and shadow the groundworks carried out. Below, is one of our ROTL guys who is looking after a Silt Buster unit by checking its levels.

We’ve had great feedback by our management team, citing,

“They’ve settled in really well and are making a positive impact on the project”

John Murphy, Site Manager.

The hiring process can involve different methods of recruitment. Firstly, offering this kind of employment is only applicable to CAT D prisons, where there might be a careers fair, followed by an interview from a subcontractor such as ourselves. A risk assessment is then processed by Kier. This is further enabled by the New Futures Network (NFN), who are a specialist part of the prison service that brokers partnerships between prisons and employers.

Opportunities for serving prisoners 

Employers can set up training and production facilities in a dedicated space within the prison estate. Workshops run by external organisations benefit from a dedicated workforce made up of serving prisoners. NFN find out what will suit your business needs and helps prisoners gain valuable skills and qualifications which will increase their likelihood of securing employment after release.

Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) 

Release on Temporary Licence, or ROTL, is a scheme which allows risk-assessed prisoners who are within two years of release to work while on day release from prison. This can be for a full working week or part-time. It allows for training and work experience to a serving prisoner while you assess if they are right for your business, before possibly offering them a job on their release.

Employment on release 

Upon release, individuals can work and have full employee rights. NFN can also help to arrange interviews with prospective candidates before they are released, so that you a business can choose the right candidate.

TreeApp Partnership

This month we are delighted to share the launch of our new partnership with Treeapp. As part of celebrating our 25 years in business milestone, we’ve taken some initial steps to becoming more environmentally conscious starting with donating to tree planting projects worldwide.

Treeapp is a mobile app which enables anyone to plant a tree for free, everyday, in less than a minute. The trees are funded by eco-conscious organisations who advertise their products and services on our platform. The app is available for download in the United Kingdom and Ireland here.

     

The planting activities are performed by local tree-planting partners, who make sure every single tree they plant benefits endemic species and local communities. Treeapp has partnered with tree planting partners to plant trees around the world. All have met the internal criteria surrounding ethical tree planting, transparency and use-of-funds. All tree planting activities not only have environmental benefits, but also a social and economic impact by working closely with local communities.

To date, Treeapp has funded the planting of over hundreds of thousand of trees:

• Africa: Madagascar, Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mozambique, Kenya
• Americas: Brazil, Peru, Haiti
• Asia: Nepal, Indonesia

Over the next 12 months, we have pledged to plant 1 tree a month for each employee, which equates to around 1200 trees during this time frame, and based on each tree’s full lifetime absorption capacity, will offset approximately 130 tonnes of carbon.

We hope working with TreeApp will help us identify other ways of addressing our carbon footprint in order to help generate and sustain a positive environmental impact.

     

Adding Social Value

This week it’s Community Garden Week! Supporting the local communities we work in is highly rewarding for all involved. Recently, we were delighted to donate some picnic benches to the Parish Council in Fangfoss, a small village in the East Riding area of Yorkshire. This is to help kickstart some improvements to their children’s play area, inspired by our client’s initiative of adding social value in the surrounding areas to our sites.

A short distance away in Starbeck in the North Yorkshire area, we created and installed several large planters repurposed from scrap timber. On behalf of another client, we were introduced to the lovely people at Fern House Homeless Accommodation Centre who were in need of some garden functionality. As a charity run business, they can look forward to bringing these planters to life for the benefit of their wellbeing.

  

We believe several acts of kindness go a long way to making a positive and lasting difference, and hope to continue these initiatives whenever and wherever we can.

Women in Construction week

Over the course of several years, the Women in Construction movement has acquired an annually dedicated week of recognition and debate. It has highlighted the lack of females in the industry worldwide, yet also serving as an inspiration for young women looking to start their successful careers in this industry. 

In the UK, it has been reported that only 14% are employed within the construction industry, with the majority being made up of administrative and office roles. An even smaller number accounts for women working out on the sites. It is hardly a surprising stat founded in a heavily male dominated industry. However, this percentage is marginally higher than our European neighbours, and with the demand for new jobs in the industry, employment is expected to rise rapidly. These factors may prove to be a great combination of opportunity particularly for women looking to fulfil their potential across the construction field.

We’d like to take this opportunity to shine a light on one of our female site workers, who has spent the last 12 months training as a Project Manager based on the Aire Park project in Leeds City Centre – currently one of our largest active sites. Tanisha has been paving her way in this industry and hopes to be a great role model for other women thinking of a career in construction. Read on to learn more about Tanisha’s journey with us.

Becoming a Project Manager

Background & Study Profile

1. Education institute: Distance Learning
2. Course name: Construction and the Built Environment (Access to higher learning course – Moving onto a Degree at Leeds College of Building).
3. Course length: 1– 5 years
4. Employment: Joined Moortown in February 2022.

Why does this vocation appeal to you?

Firstly, this vocation appealed to me because of my interest in infrastructure and property. I believe construction is more than just the process of erecting a building, it is the creation of a home, the hub of a business, and forming a piece of history. I enjoy executing projects from inception to completion, and doing so as efficient as possible. My start-up company experience required me to work on tight budgets while producing quality outcomes. This alongside my vast experience in operational and project management meant that the role felt like a natural fit. I also think it is important to have a varied and open perspective within the construction and any industry.

Name one thing you enjoy most about the role? 

The main thing I enjoy about this role is the holistic and diverse nature. I can be learning extensive health and safety on the construction site as well as risk and staff management. It can include learning site logistics, engineering and also design. No day is ever the same.

What is the hardest aspect about this role? 

I came to this role with little to no experience of construction, as I had just started my course and initially it was a little hard not understanding things such as the plans, designs and construction terminology. However, within this short period of time I have noticed how my knowledge has developed rapidly and the team I work with on site have been extremely helpful and supportive. I am now competent in BlueBeam software, with a broad understanding of the building processes including groundwork remediation, offsite and pre-fabrication methods. I am now SMSTS trained, a certified mental health first aider and fire marshal.

What advice would you give to someone looking to progress as a Project Manager?

1. Organisation
   There are a lot of moving parts within this multi-disciplinary environment, the projects you will lead will have a programme and timescale that has been created to fit a strict budget, so being as prepared as possible will help you to be structured and efficient.
2. Communication
   As a Project Manager working in a collaborative environment, it is essential that you are able to communicate clearly with your team and clients to ensure that the correct instructions, updates and direction are understood.
3. Flexibility
   Although it is necessary to adhere to a programme and follow structure, things may not always go to plan so it helps by being adaptable and resourceful.

We are delighted at Tanisha’s progress and development, and we’ll be continuing to support and provide further training and site experience to ensure she can achieve her full qualifications.

Moortown Memories – Looking back over 25 years in business

We’ve dug deep into our old photo archives to discover and relive the golden moments achieved over the years. Our staff retention numbers have remained high over this period, evidenced by the many faces who still work here today.

From the first machinery ever purchased, to the evolving brand image, here are some snap shots of our history…

First dumper purchased and owned by the company.

First crane purchased.

Site cabins and hoarding with old branding.

Our Pat Stapleton is still with us today (far right side).

Building up our Plant, a newly bought excavator joins the fleet.

Working in our old offices, Aiden McManus, Managing Director.

The founder of the company, Tom McManus.