Monday, December 17, 2007
John Laing plc, a leading sponsor and developer of privately financed public sector infrastructure assets, has joined forces with The Big Life group, one of the largest social enterprises in the North to launch Buildings4Life – an organisation aiming to produce a new model for creating and delivering effective public private partnerships in key sectors.
Buildings4Life has been established in response to developments in UK Government thinking as to how to deliver more effective public private partnerships. While the Government is committed to delivering more investment through the third sector, it has recognised that to maximise impact, support and encouragement is required from the private sector.Buildings4Life is a new breed of 'corporate' social enterprise organisations which have the capacity to deliver projects on the scale required by the Government while still maintaining strong social enterprise credentials.
The aim of Buildings4Life will be to create a model which offers communities ownership of public buildings, first class environments, a model of management which facilitates true partnership working and an investment package which maximises public and private funding sources.
Buildings4Life will be piloting its innovative approach by working with Heywood, Rochdale and Middleton Primary Care Trust, the Pennine Acute Trust and local people to find solutions for community ownership of the much loved Rochdale Infirmary.
Buildings4Life is also working with Open Door (a social business in Grimsby), North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus and North East Lincolnshire Council to develop a community support facility which will provide health and social care to vulnerable groups.
David Hartshorne, Director, John Laing Investments said: We believe that through Buildings4Life, we can create a wide range of partnership models and products that should appeal to the regional public sector organisations that are responsible for delivery of local community services.
‘Our aim is to move public private sector partnerships, closer to the heart of the communities in which they are created and developed, making them more effective and engaging.’
Fay Selvan, Chief Executive of The Big Life group said: “ We are particularly excited to be working with John Laing on Buildings4Life. We know that when people feel a part of where they live and work and are involved in decisions about their area they are happier and healthier. Whether we are working on building community hospitals, schools or prisons we will be ensuring facilities become part of the communities they are in.’
Ends
For further information contact:
Christine Jones: John Laing plc, Tel: +44 (0)20 7901 3200, Email: christine.jones@laing.com
Matthew Moth/Charles Reynolds: Madano Partnership, Tel: +44(0)20 7593 400, Email: matthew.moth@madano.com or charles.reynolds@madano.com
Emma Eaton: The Big Life group, Tel: 0161 270204 or 07974 989 915, Email: emma.eaton@thebiglifegroupcompany.com
Notes to Editors
John Laing plc
John Laing plc is a specialist provider of facilities through public private partnerships with a long-term perspective and approach around the world. The company manages and delivers 61 projects from planning and funding through to design, construction and operation. It is actively involved in the management of a wide range of education, health, police, rail, roads and special purpose government facilities. It has investments and operations in the UK, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Canada and the US, and Asia.
The Big Life group
The Big Life group are social businesses and charities working together to provide support and opportunities to help people change their lives. Formed in 2002 following a merge between Diverse Resources and The Big Issue in the North, The Big Life group is now made up of two charities: The Big Issue in the North Trust and Big Life Centre and four businesses: Big Life Employment, Aisha Childcare, The Big Life Company and The Big Issue in the North.