This week we announced a further investment under our social impact programme – Social impact, multiplied.
A new coastal activity centre, known as The Edge, will offer access to the Cumbrian coastline, and facilities for everything from water sports to community events.
What makes a nuclear company like Sellafield Ltd invest in a facility that has a focus on tourism and wellbeing?
It is a question I’m often asked, so in this blog I’ll offer 3 reasons why investing beyond Sellafield is good for our community but also good for our business.
Diverse economies are resilient economies
There are obvious dangers if an economy is centred on one industry. Because if the scale of that industry changes, the impact can be immediate and far reaching.
By contrast, an economy made up of diverse businesses of all sizes is more flexible and creates jobs in a wide range of sectors. In this scenario a change in any one of those sectors is still felt, but perhaps not as wide spread.
Social impact is good business
And a diverse and resilient economy is an attractive proposition to businesses looking to either expand their operations or relocate. If those organisations can support our mission at Sellafield, as well as working with other clients and industries, then we can benefit from new thinking, innovation and technology while the economy benefits from growth.
A thriving economy that offers a range of opportunities – both professional and recreational – is also a key aspect of retaining our current workforce and attracting future employees. Social impact really is good business.
Thriving communities
Our long-term social impact approach aims to create better health outcomes, higher educational attainment, improved job prospects and a culture of achievement and ambition in West Cumbria and beyond.
We’re looking at ways that the local economy, community and social fabric in West Cumbria can be the best that it can be. If we get it right the results could even have longer-term benefits for the UK.
Whether that’s because the region’s need for state support will have reduced, or because businesses in the area will be helping drive the nation’s economy or recovery as we enter uncertain economic waters because of the pandemic.
Through social impact, multiplied we are working with others to create opportunities built on a solid foundation of good schools and strong community fabric, combined with a culture of ambition, opportunity and positivity.
Projects like The Edge are very much part of that foundation along with other investments like the Hidden Coast and Campus Whitehaven.
That’s just part of the story
The next episode of our social impact, multiplied podcast, - out today at 6:00pm - you can hear from others on the importance of tourism as part of a thriving, diverse economy, including:
- Pat Graham, Chief Executive of Copeland Borough Council
- Celia MacKenzie, Chief Executive of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners
- Gill Hague from Cumbria Tourism
- Katie Reed from Copeland Tourism
- Graeme Kennedy from Allerdale Borough Council
Here's how you can listen: