Sir Robert McAlpine Archives

Supply chain collaborate on new wellbeing room at local school

Posted on April 8, 2025 by helent

Youngsters at a West Cumbrian school are going to benefit from an outdoor ‘wellbeing room’ and sensory garden, thanks to members of our supply chain.

Altrad Babcock agreed to adopt the Cleator Moor and Egremont (CLEG) Cluster and work with the schools in the area.

So when the head of Bookwell School, in Egremont, Russell Hardy, asked for help in planning, costing and project managing the installation of an outdoor learning cabin and surrounding landscaping, they were only too happy to help.

The challenge was to create an outdoor ‘well-being room’ and sensory garden primarily designed for children with additional needs, or those that need time away from the classroom setting to learn best.

Altrad office manager, Abbie Short, coordinated the project, supported by multiple local contractors and suppliers.

Work begins

Work underway at Bookwell School Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) provided health and safety advice and did ground surveys before work began.

Then Lawsons and PCR came in to strip the area to level and entered the subbase pre concrete works.

SRM then created shuttering and poured concrete (provided by Hansens) to create a base for structures and disabled access.

Altrad then assembled the cabin (wellbeing room) and external contractors came in to plaster the cabin and fit electrics.

Altrad also painted the internals and a joiner fitted the flooring and skirting boards, ready for use.

Abbie Short said: “It was so good to work so smoothly together with all of the contractors and suppliers and everybody’s attitude to the project was amazing.

“It feels all the more meaningful seeing how much this means to the school and hearing how it will benefit all the pupils and staff.”

Inside the wellbeing cabin at Bookwell Bookwell Primary School deputy head and wellbeing lead, Shona Wolfenden, added: “We’re all very excited about our new space! We can’t believe how quickly it’s come together, with very little fuss or disruption. If only all school projects ran as smoothly!

“The cabin is going to make a huge difference to the children as we will have an extra place to work with groups doing music, crafts, listening to stories or just having some quiet time away from the busy classroom.

Work still ongoing

Work is still currently ongoing on this project to create the second phase, the sensory garden which includes a decking area, pathway, flower beds for the children to maintain and a reading realm.

This work is currently underway by Altrad with the support of Mossop Construction Ltd and a number of other suppliers and contractors: Sir Robert McAlpine, Lawsons, PC Richardson, Hanson’s Concrete, JT Atkinsons, Bewleys Electrical, Karl Hartley Plastering, Jewson’s, Phillip Carruthers Haulage, AS Design, Jacksons Timber, MKM, who have all worked collaboratively to follow through on this project.

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Sir Robert McAlpine aid Creating Careers in Construction cohort

Posted on February 6, 2025 by helent

One of PPP’s Key Delivery Partners, Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) has aided a Creating Careers in Construction employability programme focused on adults looking at a career change or entering the sector.

SRM collaborated with All Together Cumbria, to deliver a session for their Creating Careers in Construction cohort, helping adults currently out of work to gain extra skills.

They used their 13m cable stay bridge, which can be used to support the understanding of STEM and construction careers, in a session with 11 adults, held at Lakes College West Cumbria.

SRM representatives discussed career opportunities within civil engineering and construction and the cohort erected and dismantled the bridge.

Claire Louise Chapman, Social Impact Lead for SRM, said: “This is the first time we have used our STEM bridge resource with adults, and it was an opportunity to talk, in more detail, about routes into our sector, entry requirements and to meet enthusiastic and capable individuals who are looking to work in construction.

“The group was fantastic, very competent and focused and we’re glad they enjoyed the session.”

Andy Dodds, of All Together Cumbria, said: “The use of the STEM bridge for the Creating Careers in Construction cohort was very useful.

“The cohort have been using the Skills Builder framework to develop essential skills throughout the programme to support their journey to employment.

“The STEM bridge allowed the participants to develop these skills further, with the activity lending itself to all eight essential skills but particularly problem solving, teamwork, creativity and leadership.

“The group really enjoyed the activity and the practical nature of the session complemented the classroom study they were completing for their CSCS card.

“The session also provided the opportunity for the group to meet and interact with another employer, to whom they could display professional behaviours and gain an insight into the careers available.”

Sir Robert McAlpine help small businesses bridge the gap

Posted on January 28, 2025 by helent

Networking can be a daunting prospect to some smaller businesses or voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations – so Sir Robert McAlpine is trying to help them bridge the gap.

Over the past year Sir Robert McAlpine has promoted guest invitations to business networking events, offering introduction and access to potential supporters and customers to support growth and resilience of small and VCSE organisations.

These have been offered through Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership, Phoenix Enterprise Centre and TEG Retail.

And most recently, Emma Wells, from VCSE organisation Unseen Victims, was extended an invite to a Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC) Networx event.

Micro organisations, start-ups and VCSEs frequently do not have the connections and finance to access business networking. Networking can also be intimidating, particularly with larger organisations yet it is invaluable in terms of business growth and sustainability.

Claire Louise Chapman, SRM Social Impact Lead, said: “So many of our business network events offer the opportunity for guest attendance, and it’s a simple, yet really impactful thing for Sir Robert McAlpine to offer for small enterprises and local charities.

“It’s nice making connections with local organisations, demonstrating our commitment to West Cumbria.”

Emma Wells, of The Unseen Victims Project, added: “I really enjoyed the event and found the speakers very interesting. I met with some lovely individuals from organisations who seemed engaged with The Unseen Victims Project, and invited me to expand on our discussions further, in the future.

“Thank you once again for affording me this opportunity. I am sure that any others who are offered this chance in the future will come away from the event feeling how I have done.”