The Paisley-based construction business has signed up to the Buy Social Pledge which is a values-led scheme bringing together private businesses, SMEs, academic institutions, and public sector bodies who are looking to make a commitment to bringing social enterprises into their supply chains.

By signing up to the pledge, the team at The JR Group, who are currently working on construction projects across Scotland, will have access to a wide selection of social enterprises across a host of sectors, who they can engage with to source services such as cleaning, signage, waste disposal and catering.

This commitment is the latest endeavour from The JR Group who value community spirit and investing in the areas in which they are working as a core part of the DNA of the business. The firm already has a strong record in implementing meaningful community benefits, so it is a fitting partnership to move forward with.

Gayle O’Hear, construction administration manager at The JR Group, said: “Aside from helping to meet the much-needed requirement of new homes in Scotland, housebuilding has far reaching positive consequences for the economy with a complex supply chain.

“Signing up to the Buy Social Pledge helps us ensure that we’re having as positive an impact in communities across Scotland as we can, by working with businesses who are motivated by their social impact.

“During each project, we already consider how local suppliers can be utilised and we commit to providing community benefits during the lifespan of the development. We look out for opportunities to offer support, whether that’s donating kit to sports clubs, enhancing community gardens, working with schools or community groups.

“Many of our projects are completed on behalf of local authorities or housing associations to deliver affordable housing and homes available for social rent. The ethos of the Buy Social Pledge is a natural fit when bringing affordable homes to life and is the next step in our journey to making a positive impact in Scotland’s communities. It is a wonderful initiative which makes it easier to engage with social enterprise suppliers.”

The Buy Social Pledge is part of the national Buy Social Scotland campaign which aims to make it easier for corporates, SMEs, and public sector organisations to engage with a range of social enterprise suppliers and to embed corporate responsibility and diversity into their core operations, while helping social enterprise organisations to grow their revenues and in turn, the positive social and environmental impact they deliver in communities.

Jamie Lawson, strategic partnerships & engagement manager at Social Enterprise Scotland, said: “We are delighted to welcome The JR Group to the Buy Social Pledge. Their commitment demonstrates the powerful role the construction industry can play in supporting social enterprises and the communities in which they work. We look forward to working closely with The JR Group to maximise the social and environmental impact of their projects.”