Strengthening Communities Through Responsible Supply Chain Partnerships

At ODS, we are committed not only to delivering high-quality services but to making a positive and measurable impact in the communities we serve. A key part of this commitment is ensuring our supply chain aligns with our values, embraces our “doing good” ethos, and actively contributes to our social value goals.

Bell Group, one of our trusted suppliers, has worked with ODS for approximately three years, delivering a wide range of building repairs and property-related projects for our Property Services teams. Throughout this partnership, they have demonstrated exceptional alignment with our values and consistently supported our approach to responsible, community-focused service delivery. Their contribution reflects what can be achieved when contractors understand and invest in the communities where they work.

The following case study highlights the outcomes Bell delivered through our social value framework, showcasing the real difference created for local people, places, and the environment.

Community Regeneration: Florence Park Community Centre

Through the Match My Project initiative, which connects local needs with supplier capabilities, Bell identified Florence Park Community Centre as an opportunity for meaningful intervention. As a result, Bell undertook a two-part improvement programme to enhance the centre’s operational spaces.

Why This Matters for ODS:
Community hubs are critical in promoting inclusion, reducing loneliness, and strengthening neighbourhood resilience. Supporting them aligns directly with ODS’s commitment to social wellbeing.

What Bell Delivered:

Part 1 – Office Redecoration
Bell staff prepared and repainted the centre’s office, creating a brighter, more professional environment for staff, volunteers, and visitors seeking advice or support.

Part 2 – New Office Flooring
New, durable flooring was installed to improve accessibility, usability, and the overall professional feel of the space.

Impact:
These upgrades significantly enhance the centre’s ability to support parent groups, youth activities, wellbeing classes, older adult groups, and community meetings. It demonstrates how practical improvements behind the scenes can have a transformative, long-lasting effect. 

Sobell House – Donation to Enhance Patient Wellbeing

Bell further demonstrated social value leadership by donating 40 litres of quality paint and materials to Sobell House Hospice, which is ODS’s Charity of the Year for 2025/26. This generous contribution enabled the enhancement of the hospice garden, a peaceful, therapeutic space for patients and families.

 Why This Matters for ODS:
Supporting local charities and wellbeing spaces is central to our goal of creating compassionate and connected communities. With Sobell House as our Charity of the Year, contributions like this directly reinforce our organisational commitment to improving comfort and dignity for people facing life-limiting illness.

 Impact:
The refreshed garden now offers greater tranquillity, beauty, and a supportive environment for families during difficult times. This demonstrates how small, targeted contributions from our supply chain can deliver significant social value outcomes.

Environmental Responsibility:  Litter Pick at Margaret Road Recreation Ground

 As part of ODS’s commitment to environmental stewardship, Bell supported local environmental improvements by carrying out a litter pick at Margaret Road Recreation Ground. The area had been identified as a space that would benefit from additional care, and Bell stepped in to help enhance the appearance and cleanliness of this well-used community location.

 Why This Matters for ODS:
Cleaner, greener public spaces contribute to community wellbeing, support local biodiversity, and reflect our wider commitment to maintaining a healthy environment across Oxford.

 Impact:
Through this activity, several kilograms of litters were removed from paths and green areas, helping to protect wildlife, improve the local ecosystem, and create a more pleasant space for residents and visitors. This demonstrates how supplier involvement can extend and amplify ODS’s environmental goals, contributing to a cleaner, healthier city.

Employment, Education & Training: Supporting Local Employment Through the Contract

 To deliver their works for ODS effectively and consistently, Bell appointed:

• 1 dedicated Site Supervisor

• 2 skilled Bathroom Fitters

 All were recruited specifically for this contract and are local to the Oxford area.

Why This Matters for ODS:
Local employment strengthens the economy, reduces travel emissions, and ensures staff bring valuable local knowledge to the service.

 Impact:
These new roles support sustained quality, reliable delivery, and a positive experience for our tenants and customers, demonstrating how ODS encourages suppliers to create local economic value.

 Social Value Through Partnership

 Bell’s contributions exemplify ODS’s approach to social value, leveraging our supply chain to multiply community benefit. Through aligned values, shared priorities, and a commitment to doing good, our suppliers help extend the reach and impact of our work far beyond contractual obligations.

 This case study demonstrates how ODS’s leadership and framework enable suppliers like Bell to deliver meaningful social, economic, and environmental outcomes across Oxford.