Delivering social impact

Posted on 30 January 2025

Social value contributions help build a new sensory room for disabled children and young people in Kent

A new sensory room at a Kent respite centre is transforming the lives of disabled children and young people, thanks to social value funding from two of our supply chain partners, Anglian and Wates. 

We Are Beams supports children and young people with physical, learning or sensory impairment. It used our innovative Match My Project platform to ask for financial support to kit out a sensory room at its Dragon’s Retreat respite centre in Kent, and Wates and Anglian stepped up. 

Their money paid for a projector, lighting, sound equipment and tactile wall furniture and coverings, creating the multi-sensory environment for children with Autism, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, and other conditions. 

“We’ve found that a great way to deliver social impact is to act as a broker between community organisations and our suppliers,” said Felicity Hunt, our Communities and Social Impact Director. 

“Match My Project is one way we can do this. It’s a virtual meeting point for community organisations and groups to find and receive help with their projects from our supply chain partners. Last year, 120 projects were funded by 56 partners in this way.” 

Parents, carers and staff at We Are Beams have been overwhelmingly positive about the new sensory room. They’ve seen significant improvements in children’s emotional wellbeing, learning engagement and overall behaviour. 

Do you need help for your project? 

If you’re a community organisation working on a project, such as renovating your local community centre, giving a communal garden some green fingered attention, or even overseeing employment and training projects, our suppliers want to help. Their services range from repairs and maintenance right through to legal services. 

Visit Match My Project to connect with suppliers and get the help you need.