AWW is breaking through the aesthetic of Social Value to the reality of what a social value fuelled practice looks like day to day. We’re no longer pledging against our aspirations, instead over the course of our accreditation journey, social value has become embedded in all that we do and behind every decision we make.
1 October 2025, Heather LavisTim Forster
AWW has been awarded the Social Value Quality Mark GOLD! Continuing to breakdown barriers and challenge the norm, AWW is driving social value across our projects, for our people and with our partners.
“AWW’s achievement of Gold highlights their commitment to designing places that truly serve people."
“Their exemplary approach to inclusive placemaking and community wellbeing goes beyond aesthetics—it embeds social value into the fabric of our built environment. By prioritising under-represented voices and long-term impact, AWW is shaping spaces that foster belonging, resilience, and opportunity. This is not just good design—it’s a lasting social legacy."
Huw Evans, Director for Quality, Social Value Business
It is fitting that in our 50th year we have reached this golden accolade. A true testament to the people who drive the business, encouraging new and impactive design solutions. We lead with the ambition to advocate for positive lasting change though our projects in the community, on the landscape and for the people who will occupy our spaces.
To successfully achieve the Gold quality mark you must reach a minimum of 80% compliance, AWW is delighted to have obtained 91.5%!
As an EOT we have collectively prioritised social value in our ethos and actively embedded it in our culture. This GOLD award is therefore a brilliant reflection of that collective effort.
Our team is motivated by our commitment to the social value goals that we set ourselves, we hold ourselves accountable as a business to the way in which we operate environmentally, socially and culturally. We therefore continually seek to live up to our employees expectations and ambitions for us.
“AWW’s approach offers a compelling blueprint for others seeking to elevate their impact.”
Social Value Business
Successfully following the pathway from Bronze, through Silver and onto Gold recognises the undertaking that these accreditations require and that we exemplify the ethos of the award.
“The auditors recognised that Social Value was embedded in the culture of AWW so everyone has played their part in getting us this award.”
Heather Lavis, Social Value Champion
In the last year alone we have exceeded the expectations we set our selves in our pledges several times over;
40 students took part in our BristolWORKS session
3,571 hours of research was conducted
5 awards won in relation to our social value
86 hours of expert business advice shared
25 projects underwent a social value design review
“A Social Value Gold Award recognises organisations demonstrating true best practice and a mature, documented social value strategy embedded across their operations, evidenced by a comprehensive 12-month period of impact. Achieving this high-level award signifies an organisation's significant societal impact, ethical operations, and commitment to transparency and sustainability."
Tim Forster, Director of Sustainability
The Social Value Quality Mark CIC acts as a steward for the highest standards in social value. The Quality Mark is the UK’s national standard in social value, and the only mark of its kind. It challenges rigour and celebrates high standards.
Thank you to Social Value Business for your support and mentoring on the road to Gold, we look forward to continuing to work together.
