At LivGreen, we’re proud to extend the social value of our retrofit work by supporting local communities. Following our recent energy efficiency upgrades to Stonewater homes in West Coker, Somerset, we collaborated with Stonewater to provide West Coker Primary School with creative, sustainable play equipment.

The pupils are now enjoying a new Scrapstore PlayPod and bespoke wall art in the school’s library—part of the wider social value commitments associated with the energy improvement project. Designed to encourage imaginative play and physical activity, the PlayPod has already had a visible impact during breaktimes.

Our retrofit programme with Stonewater raised the energy efficiency of homes in West Coker to a minimum SAP rating of C, with some reaching SAP B. The improvements included insulation, double glazing, and low-carbon technologies, helping to reduce energy consumption and long-term heating costs for residents.

Representatives from Stonewater, LivGreen, and the Children’s Scrapstore visited the school to mark the installation and witness the positive effect on pupils. Teachers also received training to support free play and maximise the PlayPod’s benefits.

Emma Mifflin, Head of Retrofit Delivery at Stonewater, said:
“We were delighted to make these donations to West Coker Primary School alongside LivGreen. When embarking on the project and deciding on the social inclusion details, we were particularly interested in the sustainability focus of the Scrapstore PlayPod and how it will benefit the school children.
The idea behind the Scrapstore PlayPod links perfectly to Stonewater’s overall sustainability goals. The retrofit work that has been completed at our homes locally has been well received by customers and will help reduce customers’ energy bills for years to come.”

Nicola Taute, Social Value Lead at LivGreen, added:
“After a successful retrofit programme with Stonewater, our social value commitment allowed us to give back to the community. Seeing the children’s faces and the joy it has brought to the school was amazing to be a part of.”

Phillip Hayland, Headteacher at West Coker Primary School, said:
“We are very grateful to LivGreen and Stonewater for their generosity. The PlayPod has been transformative for our playtimes; it has enhanced creativity, improved physical activity and increased social interaction. It encourages free play, promotes problem-solving, negotiation skills and self-confidence. The PlayPod has also contributed to a reduction in waste and is a good example of how we can re-use and recycle what would otherwise just be thrown away.”

Lucy Rae, Development Manager at Children’s Scrapstore, said:
“We’re thrilled that the children of West Coker Primary School are benefiting from high quality play provision during the school day. Having the freedom to play creatively outside with others is vital for their physical, social and emotional wellbeing, which feels more important now than ever.
The PlayPod is fully stocked and will be regularly replenished with recycled scrap materials, aligning with our sustainability goals whilst making wastethings playthings.”