NEW HUB OPENS FOR WEST MIDLANDS VETERANS
Veterans in the West Midlands have a new space to enjoy, thanks to a partnership between Equans and military charity Stepway.
The new facility has been created after Equans transformed an unused shipping container in Oldbury, Sandwell, into a DIY workshop and social hub for Stepway, which supports veterans and their families across the region to help lead a successful civilian life.
The container - now named ‘Book Binders Shed’, in recognition of Neil Binder, Regional Coordinator and ex-Royal Navy Engineer - has been completely transformed, with new windows, interior walls and a new electricity system installed.
Solar panels have also been fitted to power to the workshop with renewable energy.
The new workshop gives veterans a space to meet socially, learn new skills and share stories at events such as Stepway’s monthly ‘Banter and Brew’ sessions.
Representatives from Stepway were joined by ex-Armed Forces personnel, the Equans project team and sub-contractors for a red ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening.
Dawn Turner, CEO at Stepway, said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to Equans and the subcontractors who contributed to transforming an old shipping container into a safe and comfortable space. Our veterans now have a space where they can gain new skills, seek support and enjoy the company of others.”
Louise Reynolds, Regional Director at Equans, commented: “I’m thrilled at what the team has done to provide Stepway with a self-contained and collaborative workshop for veterans and their loved ones. The Armed Forces sacrifice so much to serve our country, so it’s only right that we do what we can to help them once they decide to transition into civilian life.
“As a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, Equans is committed to being an Armed Forces-friendly employer, so it’s great that we can get involved with projects like this to give extra support to veterans in the region.”
The Armed Forces Covenant is an initiative whereby organisations sign a promise to acknowledge and understand those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect.
Equans works in partnership with local authorities and housing associations to repair, maintain and refurbish homes across the Midlands.
For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant, please visit https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/
* Photo' above: Stepway CEO Dawn Turner (second to left) and Equans Regional Director Louise Reynolds (end right) join Neil Binder, Regional Coordinator at Stepway (middle), and other Stepway ex-military volunteers, in cutting a red ribbon to celebrate the opening.
About Equans
Equans is a subsidiary of the Bouygues group. In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of sustainable facilities management and regeneration, and cutting-edge energy and digital services. Our 15,000 employees combine these activities to help businesses, communities, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero - and also the digital & industrial transitions that are together redesigning the way we move, work and live.
Globally, Equans is a world leader in the energy and services sector with operations in 20 countries, 90,000 employees working on 5 continents and combined proforma sales of 18.8 billion euros in 2023.
