Portakabin partners with York Cares to deliver social value across York

Problem

York Cares, an independent organisation, brings together employers across the city to support local communities through employee volunteering, shared action, and long-term partnership with important charities. The organisation focuses on addressing social and environmental barriers across the city, particularly for those with limited access to opportunities. 

These challenges that are currently impacting the region include: 

•    The opportunity gap: Many young people across York are experiencing limited exposure to professional networks, diverse career paths, or higher education opportunities that could support them in unlocking their full potential.

•    Neglected urban environments: Public green spaces are frequently overlooked, leaving local neighborhoods without the safe, vibrant, and well-maintained outdoor areas that are essential for community well-being.

•    Social isolation: A growing number of vulnerable and elderly residents experience loneliness and social isolation, highlighting a need to bring younger and older generations together through meaningful connections.

Due to these complex challenges, organisations like The Island, Door 84, and The Hygiene Bank face constant demand for essential everyday supplies, funding, and operational assistance. Therefore, to successfully run the programs needed to make a positive difference for communities, the city’s charitable sector cannot work in isolation. It relies on dedicated businesses to step forward and provide the consistent, hands-on volunteering, practical support, resources, and fundraising required to create a lasting impact.

Bridging the opportunity gap

Employees dedicated 50 hours to mentoring over 100 pupils under the ‘Aspirations’ programme, that aims to inspire young people through introductions to possible future careers and empower them to succeed. It involves delivering a range of activities in schools and organisations to raise the youth’s aspirations who may have limited access to professional networks or exposure to higher education opportunities.

“I know the children will remember this week forever- it was lovely to see them developing skills. There aren’t enough superlatives for how great it has been. Thank you to all for making it such an amazing experience for our children.” - Teacher at Westfield Primary School, York.

In addition, Portakabin welcomed a group of Year 10 students from York High School on National Manufacturing Day to tour our manufacturing facility and ask our Production and Manufacturing teams questions about how different components are made on-site. The factory tour was followed by an activity where the students worked as designers and estimators for the day to fulfil a mock customer’s requirements. 

Creating Social Connections 

Additionally, employees gave 15 hours to 'Social Connections' by connecting older people with younger generations through social clubs such as: 

•    Chop and Chat: Preparing and sharing a meal together over conversation and sharing of cooking skills. 
•    What the Tech?: Providing basic tech support for older people wishing to increase digital inclusion and independence. 
•    Coffee mornings: Allowing residents of York to get together and chat over coffee and cake. 
•    Shimmer and Shine: Attending this annual Christmas festive party, bringing together older and younger people from all over the city for an afternoon of festive fun. 

Portakabin also donated over 800 essential items to organisations like The Hygiene Bank, Door 84, and The Island, who noted the donations would "make a huge difference" to local families. Key highlights from the year also featured the Big Community Challenge, where 63 volunteers contributed 28 hours of business time across seven impactful sessions, and the Yorkshire Marathon Relay, where six colleagues raised £1,283 in celebration of York Cares’ 20th anniversary.

Social Value

Our employees and local communities are at the heart of Portakabin, which is why we aim to drive positive environmental, social, and governance impact across key focus areas. Explore how we deliver social value across our projects.