Atkins Realis Social Value Makes a Local Impact
AtkinsRéalis UK is a world-class engineering, design, and project management company that helps shape the vital infrastructure and energy systems within the UK, by using their engineering expertise to create a more sustainable, connected, and protected world.
They were keen to volunteer and work with the team at Fresh Start as it reflected their commitment to community wellbeing and strengthened their ties with the third sector. This was also coincided as part of their Social Value Week 2025 at AtkinsRéalis where they wanted to deliver meaningful social impact, which is why they felt supporting Fresh Start would echo this.
Two groups of volunteers were sent out to help support the team at Fresh Start with their ‘Starter Packs’. These packs are made up from essential household items from washing up items to pots and pans, which are given to members of the community who are struggling or have been homeless and are now setting up home. All of which can be incredibly expensive to start from scratch and equally daunting.
The groups were keen to get involved and helped through donated items and new goods on the day, at Fresh Start’s headquarters in Pilton. As a charity they rely on donations of quality good second-hand items, small electricals and new essential items that are needed to make a blank canvas into a home like bedding.
Thanks to the team's incredible support, their in-office Starter Pack drive was a massive hit as they collected so many items- a whole to car full of donations!
"It was fantastic having the Atkins Realis volunteers down to our warehouse, the extra hands making a real difference to our Starter Pack service and allowing us to get more essential goods out to people who need it.
We are extremely grateful to the whole Atkins Realis team for their generosity, time and support. Without the help of businesses like them we wouldn't be able to help as many vulnerable people across Edinburgh as we do. By supporting a local charity like Fresh Start it means that the goods, funds and time that they donated go directly back to the local Edinburgh community. Thanks to this partnership, Fresh Start are able to offer practical support and make real change possible for people rebuilding their lives and we look forward to working together further going forward."
Jen McQuistan - Corporate Partnership Officer, Fresh Start
Volunteering with Fresh Start helped me to develop a better idea of the needs of people who have been recently experiencing homelessness and what we can do to help them get back on their feet in a new space. I had a lovely afternoon volunteering there and getting to know the charity's cause.
Partnering with Fresh Start was a really rewarding experience - we completed two volunteer days where our colleagues helped pack and sort Starter Packs for individuals moving on from homelessness and organised donations to support Fresh Start’s mission. It was lovely to meet Jen when I dropped off the donations - it was so inspiring to see the range of services Fresh Start provides. We’re proud to have contributed to such meaningful work and hope to continue supporting them in the future.