Last week we published the Social Value Legacy Plan for our new clinical building at CRH. The plan, developed by our construction partners, Laing O’Rourke, describes how the project will deliver long-lasting, positive impact in our communities, far beyond the physical footprint of the new hospital building.

To help break it down into what this will mean for our local communities, we have been speaking to Assistant Director of Transformation and Partnerships, Fran Hewitt.

What is a Social Value Legacy Plan?

“A social value legacy plan is a way of creating a long-lasting positive impact on our local area. The Public Services (Social Value) Act means that as a provider of public services we must think about the wider social, economic and environmental benefits of the work we do.

“Social value is also embedded in the way we do our procurement, and we use national tools to determine the “social return on investment”, which is the benefit received for every pound spent. 

“For our new clinical building at CRH, we know that it will be a significant development for our local area. This plan will make sure that we maximise opportunities to bring wider benefits to communities that have a positive impact for generations to come.

“It will involve working closely with the local business community, the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, and education providers, to name just a few."

What does the plan look at?

“The Social Value Legacy Plan has been developed with our Trust, and local partnership plans in mind. It builds on the things that matter most to our communities including; raising career aspirations and harnessing young people’s potential, improving the wellbeing of local people, making the best use of resources and working in partnership with communities.

“We are looking at a wide range of projects which come under five key themes that we know have the potential to create a long-lasting impact. The themes are sustainable employment, thriving local economies, healthy communities, inspiring future generations, and protecting our environment.”

What will the plan deliver?

“It’s been fantastic working with Laing O’Rourke on setting some ambitious targets for the project. The plan really captures and aligns with the local priorities for both Calderdale and Kirklees. There is a big focus on supporting and promoting careers with a commitment to deliver more than 1,500 weeks of apprenticeships and 1,000 hours of upskilling and training in construction-related fields.

“The scheme will provide a big boost to the local economy too. The aim is to spend 50% of the scheme costs within a 40 mile radius of the hospital, and 20% within 25 miles.  

"Businesses involved in the project will be encouraging their workforce to be healthier by adopting wellbeing champions and promoting local public health campaigns.

"The plan also supports our Green Plan commitments with aims to reduce air pollution, carbon emissions and waste, to name a few.

“We’ve already seen the evidence from our other recent big builds, including the HRI A&E, where we partnered with local firms, and had a special link up with Kirklees College for apprenticeships. Which gives me real confidence that we can use this work to make a far-reaching difference.”

How does the plan link to the other work we have at CHFT?

“The plan doesn’t sit on its own. We have done extensive engagement with many different areas of CHFT – including our CHFT Charity, workforce and patient experience teams. The plan also links in with our CHFT Five Year Plan, our Green Plan, and Local Authority Health and Wellbeing Strategies.”

Is there anything that we have already done?

“Although it is hot off the press, we have already started some projects.

“Our construction partners are already in discussions about how we can generate social value through construction related jobs, work placements and apprenticeships, in preparation for when we start the build later in 2026.

“Laing O’Rourke have also already delivered sessions with local schools and colleges which we will be sharing more about in the coming months as the sessions continue.”

Are there any ways for colleagues to get involved?

“The plan sets the direction for the project over the next four years. We’ll be supporting Laing O’Rourke to work with colleagues across CHFT as they begin to further develop and deliver their detailed plans over that time.

“If anyone is interested in finding out more or has any suggestions, they can get in touch with me or the wider team via our reconfiguration team email address (AskReconfiguration@cht.nhs.uk)."

Find out more

You can read the plan in full on our website: Calderdale_Social_Value_legacy_2025.pdf

The Social Value Legacy Plan describes some of the wider benefits that will be realised through our Foundations for our Future programme, which is our long-term vision to transform our services in Calderdale and Huddersfield. Further information about the programme can be found online: https://future.cht.nhs.uk/home