A construction firm has set itself a target of raising £500,000 for charity by 2030, as it also looks to cut carbon emissions and draw people into the industry.

Family-owned Beard, which has an office in Swindon, has laid out these ambitions as part of its first Social Value Framework.

The 130-year-old business plans to create 30,000 touchpoints by the end of the decade to inspire new entrants to the sector.

Year 7s from Dorcan Academy taking part in a bricklaying taster session in SwindonYear 7s from Dorcan Academy taking part in a bricklaying taster session in Swindon (Image: Beard)Paula Baleson, social value manager, said: "The construction sector has enormous potential to make a positive impact on people's lives and on the communities that we work in, beyond the boundaries of each site."

The framework, supported by social value coordinators in each of Beard's five regional offices, includes a focus on improving construction skills and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Mark Beard, company chairman, said: "Creating a better future for the communities from which we draw resources has always been an integral part of how we work.

Deputy chairman, Neil Sherreard, alongside Beard’s social value team (L-R) Lisa Hedges, Rachel Bird, Kali Gill, Evie Sherreard, and Paula BalesonDeputy chairman, Neil Sherreard, alongside Beard’s social value team (L-R) Lisa Hedges, Rachel Bird, Kali Gill, Evie Sherreard, and Paula Baleson (Image: Beard) "This commitment is shared by our colleagues and supply chain, whose efforts enable us to bring meaningful and lasting value beyond our construction contracts."

Around a quarter of Beard's approximately 90 construction sites have already adopted the framework in the past six months, with plans to roll it out across all sites.