Building Communities: Our Commitment at One Maidenhead

At JJ Rhatigan, we understand that the role of a contractor extends far beyond delivering high-quality buildings. Every project offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the surrounding community. Our One Maidenhead development (formerly The Landing) exemplifies this ethos, standing as a benchmark for socially responsible construction and authentic local engagement.

A Community-Centred Approach

Before a single spade hit the ground, our team took deliberate steps to understand the needs, priorities, and challenges facing the Maidenhead community. We carried out extensive research into local schools, charities, and organisations, engaging early with stakeholders to identify areas where we could offer tangible support.

This research informed a tailored Community Engagement Strategy, designed not as a box-ticking exercise but as a living, evolving framework to deliver real value throughout the project’s lifecycle. Regular two-way communication and active listening played a central role, with a dedicated Community Liaison Officer acting as a consistent point of contact. This ensured local voices were heard, concerns addressed promptly, and relationships built on transparency and trust.

Delivering Real Impact

Throughout the project, we implemented an ongoing programme of engagement, with community initiatives taking place every 6–8 weeks. These initiatives were wide-ranging, reflecting the diverse needs of the community and the shared goals we developed with local partners.

Some of the most impactful contributions included:

• Over £30,000 donated to 11 local charities, schools, and community groups, including practical support and in-kind services

• A formal charity partnership with Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, resulting in nearly £15,000 raised to support their essential work with children and families

• Comprehensive support for Maidenhead United Football Club, including the re-roofing and redecoration of changing facilities, new fencing and wall repairs, donation of hi-vis volunteer vests, and joint sponsorship of their 2023/24 jerseys alongside mental health charity CALM

• A partnership with The Brett Foundation, a local homelessness charity, through which we provided funding, essential supplies, and the construction of a “Wall of Kindness” to support those in need

Inspiring Future Generations

We are passionate about breaking down barriers to careers in construction and inspiring young people to see the opportunities our industry offers. Our team delivered engaging career talks at local schools including Newland Girls School, where we also introduced our award-winning “Women In…” initiative to promote gender diversity in the sector.

As a result of these efforts:

• Six students completed meaningful work experience placements with our team

• Two students have since chosen to pursue engineering degrees, demonstrating the tangible impact of our outreach

• We hosted a series of site tours and educational visits for local primary schools, Cub Scouts, and community groups making construction accessible, relatable, and inspiring

A Lasting Legacy

We strived to embed ourselves within the fabric of the community, ensuring our impact would be felt long after the project’s completion. We invited local charity partners to take part in key project milestones, such as the topping-out ceremony, recognising the integral role they played in the project’s journey.

Feedback from local residents, organisations, and stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive. Many noted not just the practical benefits we delivered but the genuine relationships we built and the sense of pride we helped foster within the community.

Influencing How We Build

The One Maidenhead project shaped how we deliver projects across JJ Rhatigan. The success of our community engagement strategy has influenced our broader approach to social value and led to the adoption of similar initiatives across our other live sites.

We also achieved our highest-ever Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) scores on this project, setting a new internal benchmark for excellence in responsible construction.

Thank you to our amazing team and client, Hub, who shared in our vision every step of the way.