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The New Healthcare Facilities Programme (NHFP) is about more than bricks and mortar – through the Programme’s Social Value targets, it has committed to creating lasting benefits for Jersey that will go far beyond the improved healthcare services that can be delivered owing to the new buildings and infrastructure.
What is social value – and why does it matter?
Social value refers to the broader positive impact a project can have on society beyond its core purpose. These are all part of a business case for a project that tries to communicate not just the cost of a project, but also the benefits, including Social Value. For the NHFP, this means making sure that every pound invested not only delivers a new healthcare infrastructure, but also supports jobs, skills development, community wellbeing, and environmental sustainability, locally and also globally.
Social value is included in every contract across the Programme, ensuring that benefits are measurable and meaningful. As the Programme progresses, these commitments will deliver long-lasting improvements for Jersey – during construction and into the future. This is a Government of Jersey requirement for all procurements and NHFP is taking it very seriously.
To measure progress, the Programme has committed to 19 Social Value Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including in these areas:
- creating jobs, including 30 for underrepresented groups
- delivering apprenticeships and training placements
- engaging young people through education outreach
- supporting community projects including volunteering
- ensuring project spend is with local businesses is optimised.
These KPIs are aligned with Jersey’s Common Strategic Policy and the Future Jersey vision, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Social value in action – Jersey Demolition Contractors
Much of the social value activity will be confirmed once a Main Works Delivery Partner has been appointed, meaningful social value is already being achieved through contracts already awarded.
For example, social value was fully embraced by Jersey Demolition Contractors (JDC) during the demolition of more than 20 buildings and associated structures at Overdale. Amongst other social value, JDC added:
- more than 200 hours volunteering towards biodiversity at Overdale, including planting and replacing hedgerows that were damaged by Storm Ciarán
- sub-contracted work as part of the demolition project to at least 10 local companies
- provided more than 300 hours of training and development as part of the Overdale demolition contract, enhancing the knowledge and skills of the existing workforce
- employed six people facing barriers or challenges to employment to work on site.
WATCH: Social value in action – Jersey Demolition Contractors
In addition, JDC donated more than £13,000 worth of demolition waste from the site, including timber to local charities to support the circular economy.
Director of Operations at Jersey Demolition Contractors, Doc Snook, shares how his team not only carried out the demolition safely and efficiently, but also created local employment opportunities and supported training for young people entering the industry.
“It’s not just about knocking down buildings,” Doc explains, “it’s about building people up – giving them a chance to learn, to work, and to be part of something bigger.”
A long-term commitment to Jersey
Social value is not a one-off effort – it is a long-term commitment. The Programme’s approach includes monthly monitoring, quarterly reviews, and annual reporting with all contractors (and this includes professional advisors) on the Programme to ensure that targets are met, and lessons are learned. Contractors are required to submit a Social Value Pledge, outlining how they will contribute to the Programme’s goals, and to report regularly on their progress. These are first set out as part of the tender process and then enshrined within the contract of the successful bidder.
This structured and robust approach ensures that social value is delivered consistently and meaningfully throughout the life of the Programme.
It’s not just the Programme’s contractors who contribute towards the social value initiatives, but the Government of Jersey Programme team, too…
Constructing Your Success
The Constructing Your Success education outreach programme, which ran in October 2024, is designed to inspire young people to explore careers in construction and the built environment. Delivered as a partnership between the NHFP Social Value team and Skills Jersey, the initiative aims to build students’ confidence, skills, and awareness of the wide range of careers available within the sector.
During October Half Term, the team hosted a week of sessions tailored for students in Years 7 to 11. A total of 12 sessions were delivered, supported by 19 volunteers – including the NHFP team and professionals from contractors working on the NHFP – who collectively contributed 136 hours of their time. The programme included creative engineering challenges, project management tasks, and insights into roles such as quantity surveying, architecture, and electrical engineering. It was also an opportunity for students to directly engage with industry mentors and learn how classroom subjects like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are directly linked to real-world careers.
Feedback from the programme was overwhelmingly positive. Of the 23 students who attended, 91% reported feeling inspired to pursue a career in construction by the end of the programme. In addition, 86% improved their understanding of career options within the sector, and 95% demonstrated a stronger grasp of how STEM relates to construction. Perhaps most importantly, 73% of students said they felt more prepared to take the next step in their education or caree – reinforcing the long-term impact of early, meaningful engagement.
Looking ahead
As the Programme moves into its next phases, the focus on social value will continue to grow. Whether it’s through new apprenticeships, community volunteering, or environmental initiatives, the Programme is committed to leaving a positive legacy that extends beyond the improved healthcare services that can be delivered owing to the new buildings and infrastructure.