News

We are very proud to announce that we have renewed our ongoing commitment to the NHS Forest for 2024 by sponsoring 500 trees for yet another year. The NHS Forest is an initiative coordinated by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, a charity organisation.

At DSSR, we understand the need to integrate nature’s contributions into healthcare planning, and we appreciate the positive health benefits created by these invaluable natural assets which advance the sustainability and health objectives of the NHS.

Established in 2009, the NHS Forest aims to:

• improve the health and well-being of staff, patients and local communities through increasing access to green space on or near NHS land
• spark projects that bring together professionals and volunteers to use new and existing woodland for art, food crops, reflective or exercise spaces and to encourage biodiversity
• highlight innovative ideas to encourage the use of green space for therapeutic purposes, including social prescribing

The recent ‘NHS Trees and Woodland Valuation Pilot Study’ aimed to quantify and assess the contribution of trees to ecosystem services on NHS estates, finding that they offer significant value, totalling thousands of pounds each year.

It showed how trees and woodlands offer a range of invaluable ecosystem services. These include carbon storage and sequestration, air pollution removal, flood regulation, temperature regulation, and noise mitigation. The total estimated annual value of these services across the four sites in the pilot study was a substantial £82,531.

Our contribution last year resulted in new trees planted at Milnrow and Newhay Medical Centre in Rochdale. This new site was designed to the highest environmental standards, and the local community enjoyed a planting day for the NHS Forest trees–despite rainy weather. Pupils from three local schools were involved in planting an orchard, hedgerows, and woodland.

Each holiday season, we at DSSR are committed to giving back to the communities we live and work within, supporting those in need at what can be a very challenging time of the year. As part of our annual charitable initiative, we are thrilled to announce a donation of £1,500 and a large contribution to the foodbank of ‘Possobilities’, a local charity which provides crucial support and services to people with disabilities.

DSSR is proud to be sponsoring the Possobilities charity in the North of Glasgow this Christmas, with part of our contribution allowing the them to provide 50 No. Christmas dinners to their members, either at the centre or delivered to their homes.

Possobilities is a local charity organisation that offers various forms of support to disabled and vulnerable people in the community through social groups and community-led assets in a welcoming environment. Their mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve their full potential and live independently.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support ‘Possobilities’ and their dedication to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Their work is truly inspiring, and we are honoured to play a role in their continued success.

“My sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the food bank drive; this is a really deserving charity, helping a bunch of people who really need it. As well as funding the Christmas lunch for their members, and your kind donations, we have donated a further £1,000, so hopefully they get a decent festive period.”

Bill Chalmers, DSSR Director

We encourage our clients, partners, and community members to join us in supporting ‘Possobilities’ and other organisations making a difference in our neighbourhoods. Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

James MacLeod, a Project Engineer with DSSR Consulting Engineers, attended the careers evening at Nidderdale High School to discuss the engineering career path and provide guidance on the transition to KS5 and leaving high school.

James spoke to students about his own journey into engineering and the different career paths that are available. He also provided advice on how to choose the right post-education route and how to prepare for a successful career in engineering.

“Engineering is a challenging but rewarding career path,” said MacLeod. “It offers the opportunity to work on some of the most innovative and exciting projects in the world, and to make a real difference to people’s lives.”

MacLeod also encouraged students to consider the wide range of engineering disciplines that are available, from civil and structural engineering to mechanical and electrical engineering.

“If you’re interested in a career in engineering, it’s important to start thinking about your options early on,” said MacLeod. “There are a number of different routes into the profession, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that’s right for you.”

The Awards Celebration was held on the 10th of October at Kimpton’s Clocktower Hotel in Manchester and was attended by 630 guests. DSSR was in attendance with guests Morgan Parrack of Hunters; Helen Whitehead of VINCI Construction; Deborah Carr & Andy Bridger of Bridger Carr, and Ruth James of Llewelyn Davies.

James MacLeod, a Trainee Engineer with DSSR based in the Harrogate office, was shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year Award. We were delighted to support him and thrilled he had been recognised in this category.

Former DSSR employee and IHEEM President, Alison Ryan, introduced the guests to the charity selected by IHEEM for 2023, Lymphoma Action. This is the UK’s only charity dedicated to Lymphoma and is a cause close to Alison’s heart following her own diagnosis.

Alison gave a touching personal account of her own experience of being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and her subsequent treatment and journey to recovery. Lymphoma Action provided the guidance and assistance that she needed.

We are deeply grateful to the charity for the support provided to one of our own. DSSR has donated £1,000 to Lymphoma Action to help and support people with Lymphoma, contributing to a future where no one has to face this disease alone.

DSSR is a proud to be part of the design team which was commissioned to design the building services for the upcoming Peterhead Campus, a new £40 million educational facility that will provide state-of-the-art learning facilities for students of all ages. As part of our commitment to provide social value for the local community, we pledged to donate to the Peterhead Foodbank.

The Peterhead Foodbank is a vital service that provides food and other essentials to people in need in the local area. The foodbank relies on donations from individuals and businesses to operate, and we hope that our donation helps the foodbank to continue to provide its vital service to the community.

“We are proud to provide the Peterhead Foodbank with this donation, a vital community service that provides support to people in need in the local area. We are grateful to be able to play a role in helping them to continue their important work.

“Our ‘Community Benefits’ programme is a commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate. We believe that it is important to give back to the communities that support our business, and we are pleased to be able to do so through our donation to the Peterhead Foodbank.”

Stuart Brand, DSSR Regional Director

As part of Board 24’s future development plans, a new state-of-the-art sheet feeding facility was greenlit at the Eurocentral business park. We provided full MEP designs for the mechanical, electrical and public health services for the site, in addition to utility consultancy, SBEM energy efficiency calculations, and thermal modelling.

DSSR has been involved in developing several specialist industrial facilities at Eurocentral, such as Scania’s servicing facility which neighbours this development, and a series of office fit-outs at the adjacent Maxim Park.

The new facility will enable Board 24 to secure additional growth, supported by new specialist cardboard production processes, significantly increasing their capabilities to meet the growing demand from their customers.

In addition, the new facility will enable the business to take a more sustainable approach by optimising transport, reducing waste, and utilising a vast PV array to generate sustainable energy for the development.

The two-story facility will house six cutting-edge operating theatres, including two advanced ultra-clean ventilation (UCV) theatres, catering to a wide range of surgical procedures. These theatres will be complemented by nine first-stage recovery bed spaces, ensuring seamless patient care from surgery to post-operative recovery.

The ground floor will feature patient-centric design, featuring a welcoming admissions area, a second-stage recovery area, and a small inpatient ward. This thoughtfully designed space will provide a comfortable and supportive environment for patients throughout their treatment journey.

Sustainability is at the heart of the project, aligning with the NHS Net Zero Carbon Framework. Utilising modern methods of construction and targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, the facility will showcase environmentally conscious practices.

DSSR’s expertise in M&E design will ensure the facility is energy-efficient, sustainable, and compliant with all relevant standards. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability aligns seamlessly with Royal Surrey Hospital’s vision for the future of healthcare.