Driving Impact in Communities: Recent Social Value Highlights

At Zest, our commitment to social value means getting involved in ways that genuinely matter to local communities. Recently, that’s included supporting employability, bringing environmental education into classrooms, helping young people get excited about STEM, and exploring careers in sustainability.

Supporting mental health and employability

We recently ran a Mental Health Awareness and Employability workshop at Hackney Opportunity Hub, designed for people experiencing long-term unemployment. Participants took part in sessions on self-reflection, mental wellbeing, CV writing and interview preparation, helping develop practical tools.  

Championing biodiversity

At Olive Primary School, over 160 pupils got hands-on with a fun and educational workshop about biodiversity and the vital role bees play in our ecosystem. Each child created their own bee to “spread the buzz” about protecting the planet.

Inspiring future engineers

Zest volunteers supported the North East Goblins Greenpower event as part of a nationwide STEM initiative where students build and race electric go-karts. More than 100 pupils took part, developing practical skills in engineering and teamwork. Awards were given for engineering, sustainability, and team spirit.

Exploring green careers

We also delivered a whole-school assembly at Deeplish Primary, opening young minds to the growing opportunities in sustainability-focused careers. Pupils were curious and enthusiastic, asking questions like “Can you be an inventor who helps stop climate change?” and “Do we need to be good at science to work with nature?”

“It was fantastic to see our pupils so engaged and inspired,” said Mrs Hulmes Year 3 teacher at Deeplish Primary. “Julie explained things in a way that really connected with the children they left buzzing with ideas about how they could help the environment through their future careers.”

These initiatives reflect Zest’s belief in creating long-term value, not just through infrastructure, but by supporting the next generation to thrive, from nurturing emotional resilience to fostering environmental awareness and STEM inspiration.

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