South West Highways (SWH) is supporting Plymouth’s Armed Forces Day for the 7th year running; providing vital traffic management services for both the Strength of Spirit Games Rehabilitation Triathlon, on 27th June and Plymouth Armed Forces Day, on 29 June, to be held on Plymouth Hoe.
SWH is a construction company based in Plymouth, delivering highway maintenance and construction projects across the South West. They’ll be providing voluntary traffic management, free of charge, enabling a safe and secure event for all to enjoy. This represents their appreciation for the dedicated men and women who have, and continue to, protect and serve our country.
The week-long Armed Forces celebration in Plymouth is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come along and show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to reservists, veterans, cadets and their families.
SWH has a special connection with service personnel and is passionate about promoting local employability opportunities. Currently, 10% of the SWH workforce is former military and over 90% of the entire business lives within the Plymouth area. SWH also work closely with Career Transition Partnership and Skills Launchpad Plymouth, actively supporting and recruiting former service personnel.
SWH is dedicated to supporting the well-being of its workforce and appreciates that providing a good network to support mental health is key to a happy, healthy workforce. With this in mind, they actively fundraise for Mental Health charities to ensure that issues are addressed, hosting events in collaboration with Andy’s Man Club and sessions to encourage open discussion within the workforce as well as engaging in wellbeing days and fundraising opportunities.
Plymouth is working hard to become net zero, leading the way to becoming a sustainable, environmentally sound city. SWH echoes this goal, with a company-wide aim for achieving net zero by 2050; they actively work towards reducing their carbon footprint using durable, environmentally sustainable materials in their work including recycled products or using processes that involve less energy usage. They’re involved in beach cleaning, rewilding projects, tree planting initiatives, use of recycled materials, implementation of natural sustainable drainage systems as well as installing electric vehicle charging points. All elements that are helping us move towards a greener future.
Supporting the local economy is close to the hearts of SWH. There is a minimum intake of four apprentices working with the team every year, providing employment and developing confidence in the younger generation. Keeping work within the region, the company ensures that wherever possible expertise and specialist jobs are delivered locally, with nearly 80% self-delivery rate for 2023. This means that the money stays in the local area and our skills and knowledge base keep growing. It’s a win-win!
Check out SWH website for more details.
Armed Forces Week
Armed Forces Week in Plymouth starts on Monday 24 June. The week will open with official ceremony raising of the Armed Forces flag; followed by a two day British Army Recruitment Event with hands on activities and vehicles; followed by the Strength of Spirit Games, Rehabilitation Triathlon, featuring competitors – Service Personnel on recovery duties and Veterans – including teams from the USA and the Netherlands; ending in the grand finale Plymouth Armed Forces Day on Saturday with a full day’s programme on Plymouth Hoe, celebrating our Armed Forces with displays, demonstrations, entertainment and evening concert. All free to attend!