Local projects receive boost from council partnership
Dorset Council and Heidelberg Materials work together to make a difference across the county and in local communities.
Through their long-standing partnership, the two organisations have delivered highway maintenance and construction since 2009, introducing carbon-saving technologies and recycling thousands of tonnes of materials.
Beyond improving Dorset’s roads, the collaboration gives thousands of volunteer hours to community projects, providing expertise and materials to enhance much-loved facilities across the county.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services at Dorset Council, said:
“Heidelberg’s commitment to social value is helping us strengthen communities and improve lives across Dorset. These projects show what can be achieved when we work together.
“I’m delighted that we can support initiatives that bring real, lasting benefits to people and places in Dorset.”
A spokesperson for Heidelberg Materials added:
“We’re proud to work alongside Dorset Council to support initiatives that make a real difference. From animal welfare to outdoor education, these projects reflect our shared values of sustainability, inclusion, and community empowerment.”
This year, a diverse range of initiatives benefited from their support:
The team were delighted to be back at Tumbledown Farm, a welcoming green space where people can connect with nature, grow food, learn new skills and improve wellbeing. Volunteers created a hardstanding area/car park with 60 tonnes of surplus stone supplied by Dorset Council, along with new paving slabs. Transportation of the materials was kindly provided by Suttles.
Located in Blandford Forum, the sanctuary provides lifelong care for rescued animals and serves as a community education hub. Improvements included a new entrance, relocation of containers, fitting out a storage unit, new drainage ditch, a new pond for the ducks and site-wide clean-up efforts.
Beth from the Blandford Animal Sanctuary said: “The new hard-standing area looks brilliant and will make a huge difference for the animals this winter. It’s such a relief to know they’ll have a clean, dry area to stand and rest, helping to keep their feet healthy and avoid sores through the muddy months.
“Thank you for all your hard work and support. It means a lot to everyone here — both two-legged and four-legged!”
The Big Yellow Bus Garden Project, Shillingstone
Situated alongside the North Dorset Trailway, this inclusive wellbeing space features a formal garden, community growing area, and wildflower orchard with beehives.
As part of their annual volunteer day, a team from Heidelberg completed a new disability access path and constructed a safer, modern entrance from the main road.
See drone footage taken of the volunteer day: Yellow Bus Project - Volunteering Day 2025
The club, formed in 1895, provides the opportunity for adults and children from Weymouth and the surrounding areas to learn and play hockey. The club’s equipment container needed an upgrade. The old flat roof, which had started to leak, was replaced with a sloped design to improve drainage and protect valuable gear for years to come.
Heidelberg Materials published story books following a local competition and these are being handed out to schools.
The partnership continues to explore new opportunities to expand its social value footprint across Dorset. Any organisation interested in some on-the-ground support to help them develop their project should contact mike.collins1@heidelbergmaterials.com
