Catterick Garrison recently played host to one of Amey’s largest ever volunteer events bringing together over 160 individuals from Amey, e50K, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), supply chain partners, local industries, military spouses, and veterans.
This collaborative effort was part of the Move You In Pack impact initiative funded by Amey and developed in partnership with e50K, a spouse-led military social enterprise.
During the event, 2,525 boxes were packed with sustainable essentials sourced from veteran/spouse led organisations, ready to be delivered to Service families as they settle into their new homes across the North and Central regions.
Each pack is thoughtfully designed to support the transition process for military families ensuring they feel welcome and supported from the moment they arrive.
In addition to packing the boxes, the day featured a Christmas toy drive where generous donations from Amey employees brought holiday cheer to families in need. Volunteers also visited Bramble Woods, a 3.5-hectare green space developed in partnership with e50K.
This unique community hub continues to grow with the recent addition of a polytunnel enabling volunteers to plant, maintain and cultivate crops further supporting biodiversity and sustainability. Since Amey provided seed funding to begin the project, e50K have secured almost £75,000 of grants and additional funding to support the development of this important local asset.
Aligning with Amey’s Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, the Move You In Pack initiative and the Bramble Woods project demonstrates a shared commitment to enhancing well-being, sustainability and inclusivity within the defence community. Since the initiative’s inception in 2021, over 6,000 Service families have benefited annually from the packs, with a total of more than 18,000 boxes delivered to date.
Additional impacts include:
- 121 military spouses have gained economically via 9,600 paid employment hours – earning more than £97,000 in wages.
- Profits exceeding £103,000 has been reinvested into Bramble Woods transforming the site into a vibrant community space featuring allotments, wildflower meadows and bee hives with plans for building an outdoor classroom.
- Over 90% of pack materials are recyclable or sustainably sourced
Tom Silvey, Amey’s Business Director Defence, said: “This event is testament to the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to supporting Service families and the wider armed forces community.
“Through our partnership with e50K, we are not only addressing immediate needs but creating lasting value through sustainable infrastructure and community assets. These assets go beyond just buildings; they include the spaces, services, and systems that support the wellbeing and resilience of our community.
“Projects like Bramble Woods provide vital spaces for connection and support. Additionally, by supporting veteran and spouse-led businesses through our Move You In Packs, we are reinforcing our commitment to create economic empowerment and sustainability.
“By ensuring these assets are adaptable and future proof, we’re strengthening the foundations for the long-term care of the families we serve, building stability and creating lasting impact.”
Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl, CEO of e50K, said: “As a project which began life as the suggestion to provide free tea towels and tea bags to moving Service families, the MYIP now actively generates long-term economic benefits to spouses and wider community members as well as those with a lived experience of the justice system and homelessness who are usually economically inactive.
“It also provides meaningful, Service linked social value volunteer hours to Defence industry organisations and supports the bringing together of communities reducing social isolation and increasing intergenerational relationships.
“At e50K Community Interest Company (CIC) we are incredibly proud of the project and our ongoing partnership and collaboration with industry leader Amey.”
