As we enter 2026, our focus is clear: social value must be at the heart of every project we deliver. Whether we are designing workplaces, transforming science facilities, or collaborating with local charities, our goal is to ensure our work leaves a positive and lasting impact on the people, organisations, and communities we serve.
Our approach blends responsible construction, community partnership, local engagement, and meaningful social initiatives, all of which are embedded into our major 2026 projects, including the ongoing transformation of the Darwin Building at Chesterford Research Park.
The Darwin Building refurbishment demonstrates COEL’s commitment to delivering social value through thoughtful planning and responsible on‑site practices. This includes:
These responsible working practices not only support safe and efficient construction but also create trust, stability, and cohesion among everyone involved; key foundations of social value.
Social value is also generated by strengthening the local ecosystem around the Park. As part of this project, COEL is prioritising:
By keeping opportunity, employment, and partnership local, we help ensure the economic and social benefits of the project stay within the community.
Rather than opting for a rebuild, the decision to refurbish the Darwin Building supports social value in a community focused way. While the environmental benefits are notable, the social outcomes are equally important…
This approach ensures that the building’s transformation serves people first, both today and for years to come.
A powerful illustration of COEL’s social value philosophy in action is the Brew Monday event hosted at the Park on 19 January 2026.
COEL co-hosted this initiative at the Nucleus Café, inviting all tenants to pause, connect, and support one another during what is traditionally known as “Blue Monday.” The event was delivered in partnership with Cushman & Wakefield, The Phoenix Trust, The Samaritans, and wider tenant and stakeholder groups across the park.
As part of the day, COEL funded thirty cakes baked by The Phoenix Trust, a local social enterprise that provides training and supported work for vulnerable young people, while Cushman & Wakefield generously covered hot drinks for everyone who attended.
This collaboration:
This event shows how small, intentional actions can create significant social value.
While social value is often perceived as something delivered only through largescale initiatives, we believe it’s true strength lies in the accumulation of many smaller, thoughtful acts that meaningfully touch people’s lives. Moments like Brew Monday demonstrate that connection, kindness, and community engagement don’t need to be grand to be impactful, they simply need to be sincere.
At COEL, we champion this approach across all our projects and partnerships. Social value is not a standalone gesture or an occasional effort; it is a mindset woven into how we work, how we collaborate, and how we support the communities around us.
Whether we are partnering with local charitable organisations, such as The Phoenix Trust, creating opportunities for people to thrive, or helping clients identify simple, human-centred ways to enrich their own communities, we see social value as something everyone can contribute to. Our role is to help organisations recognise these opportunities, amplify them, and turn everyday actions into lasting, positive impact.
COEL’s Social Value
Priorities for 2026
Across all projects, COEL is strengthening a consistent and narrative led social value commitment; fully aligned with the social aims within our ESG policy.
01.
Championing Community Wellbeing
We design and deliver spaces that support human connection, team cohesion, and wellbeing, reflected in both our project environments and our community events.
02.
Supporting Local Charities and Social Enterprises
Partnerships with organisations such as The Phoenix Trust and FutureIn demonstrate our commitment to empowering local people, providing opportunity, and reinvesting in the community.
03.
Investing in Local Economies
Through local suppliers, regional contractors, and collaborative partnerships, COEL keeps economic benefits rooted in the communities we work within.
04.
Providing Inclusive, Fair, and Safe Working Environments
Our projects maintain structured safety systems, access to training, and responsible site practices, ensuring everyone involved feels supported, valued, and empowered.
05.
Creating Long Lasting Social Benefit Through Every Project
From refurbishment choices to stakeholder coordination or charity partnerships, COEL’s work is designed to leave a positive legacy long beyond project completion.
From our core company values to the transformation of the Darwin Building and community focused initiatives like Brew Monday, COEL’s dedication to social value is woven into everything we do. We believe that the best spaces are the ones that uplift people and we are committed to delivering projects that create meaningful, long-lasting value for communities across our region.
If you’d like to talk to us about how we can work together across the Cambridge-Oxford Arc on similar local initiatives, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Lizzie Bradbury lizzie@coel.co.uk
