Beard Construction plants trees to mark Mental Health Week

Beard Construction employees from offices across the south of England, including Southampton, gathered at the 194-acre Wrington Warren site near Bristol for the tree planting event.

The initiative was part of a long-term woodland management plan that saw 12,000 new trees planted.

The event was attended by more than 70 employees from the firm's Southampton, Bristol, Swindon, Guildford, and Oxford offices.

Native trees planted as part of long-term forest care plan (Image: Beard) Under the guidance of a forestry expert, the employees planted native species and learned about the ongoing woodland management activities.

They then enjoyed a hog roast lunch.

The woodland was purchased by Beard in 2022 as part of their efforts to reduce their environmental footprint through carbon sequestration.

Neil Sherreard, deputy chairman at Beard, said: "Beard’s investment in UK forestry demonstrates our commitment to reducing our environmental impact over the long term.

Beard Construction staff plant 130 trees to mark Mental Health Week (Image: Beard) "Beyond the carbon capture, we recognise the wellbeing benefits of being in nature and bringing regional teams together outside of normal working environments.

"World Mental Health Week is the perfect time to have done this and an excellent way to mark the end of this phase of woodland management at Wrington Warren."

The tree planting initiative comes as Beard celebrates generating £8.5 million in social value for local communities in 2024 through on- and off-site initiatives.

Eleven construction projects completed in 2024 delivered £8.5 million in social and economic value, averaging 24 per cent of contract value.

Additionally, 33 live projects contributed nearly £200,000.

Beard’s central teams, including finance, IT, HR, and communications roles, unlocked a further £16,700 in community impact.

The company began recording its community impact in January 2024, promoting Paula Baleson to social value manager and developing a tailored framework.

Baleson said: "Beard has always been a company with a social conscience but 2024 marked the first year that we formalised and began measuring our efforts.

"I’m proud of what we have achieved and, with many exciting initiatives being planned, we are looking forward to building on our commitment to communities even further."