Business - Journal

More Than Construction: How Michael Dyson Associates Builds Lasting Social Value

Michael Dyson Associates Ltd has been shaping the built environment for over 40 years. Established in 1980 as a family-run business, the company has grown into a leading multi-disciplinary construction consultancy, offering a wide range of services from architecture and project management to structural engineering, asset management, and retrofit solutions.

What sets Michael Dyson Associates apart is their culture of transparency, innovation, and excellence. Their approach goes beyond traditional consultancy, taking time to understand client needs, aligning services with expectations, and embedding social, economic, and environmental responsibility into every project.

As proud members of the RICS, CIOB, APS, and RIBA, with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, the company ensures the highest levels of quality and sustainability in all its operations. Their dedication also extends to employee growth, providing pathways for both professional development and personal achievement.

A Strong Commitment to Social Value

Michael Dyson Associates’ impact stretches far beyond construction. With a commitment to reinvest 5% of its turnover in social responsibility initiatives, the company actively supports employment, training, mentoring, and community development projects.

Highlights of their social value work include:

Apprenticeships and accredited training for young people.

Hosting undergraduate placements that lead to graduate employment.

Offering careers advice and mentoring at schools and universities.

Supporting charities such as Worth Unlimited, alongside community projects like food bank donations, digital inclusion schemes, and youth engagement programmes.

Volunteering through hands-on activities like painting community centres and assisting with local projects.

Through their partnership with Hyde Housing Association on the Match My Project platform, Michael Dyson Associates has delivered industry-leading training. To date, they have successfully trained 67 people across various topics, including building safety, high-rise construction, HHSRS surveys, and sustainability in retrofit projects, making them the most successful supplier of training resources to local communities.

Looking Ahead

Michael Dyson Associates Ltd continues to demonstrate that construction consultancy is not just about buildings, it’s about people, places, and long-term community impact. By combining technical expertise with a genuine commitment to social value, they are helping to build not only safer and more sustainable homes but also stronger, more resilient communities.

Their work serves as a reminder that every business has the power to make a meaningful difference.

This is why we are calling on all our business users: If you can’t find a project that perfectly matches your goals, don’t let that stop you. Follow Michael Dyson Associates’ example: offer your skills, training, volunteering time, or resources to communities in need.

Now it’s your turn to step forward. Log in now and share what you can, helping to create the positive change that lasts well beyond a single project.

CLM Fireproofing is our Supplier for July. We recognise their outstanding contribution to Social Value and community impact.

Impact at a Glance:

⏱ 420 volunteer hours donated

🤝 23 organisations supported

✅ 49 projects completed

🚧 6 projects currently in progress

💼 1 job filled through the partnership

Founded 36 years ago, CLM Fireproofing is a leader in the passive fire protection industry, recognised for its technical expertise, innovation, and strong commitment to social value. Through their partnership with Match My Project and clients like Hyde Housing Association, they’re delivering real, meaningful benefits to communities across the UK — from improving public spaces to creating employment opportunities. Their dedication to Social Value shines through in countless projects that support local schools, community centres, and vulnerable groups.

What community organisations say:

Hyde Housing, Sheltered & Supported Housing:

The residents and staff of Hardwick Court Erith, part of Hyde Housing Association, are eternally grateful to CLM Fireproofing for this amazing contribution. This will mean residents have a beautiful and safe place to enjoy for many years to come.

RS Property Chichester:

Very professional company and helpful with setting up the computer as we had a few issues with our wi-fi.

Henry Fawcett Primary:

CLM’s fast, clear communication and dedication helped us complete a playground upgrade just in time for summer fun!

Creating Opportunities
CLM’s commitment to social value extends to employment opportunities. One successful candidate recently shared:

I’m happy to confirm that I received a job offer from CLM Fireproofing for the fire protection labourer position. I want to express my gratitude for your assistance in connecting me with this opportunity.

Maddison Sands, Head of Marketing at CLM Fireproofing, reflects:

We are honoured to be selected as the Match My Project portal’s Supplier of the Month. Social value is deeply ingrained in our company culture, and we’re proud to be working alongside our client, Hyde Housing Association, delivering initiatives that directly reflect and respond to the needs of the local communities we serve. The MMP portal is truly game-changing and we’re incredibly grateful to have a platform that helps us connect with projects that so closely align with our company values.

We’re proud to have CLM Fireproofing as a user, a true partner dedicated to giving back and helping build safer, stronger, and more connected communities — one project at a time.

Do you want to be a part of the story?
Sign up via your local authority’s Match My Project homepage.

Already one of our users, and you would like to be featured in our journal and newsletter, email us at support@matchmyproject.org

Cleaning with a Conscience

At Match My Project, we champion suppliers who not only deliver excellent services but also go the extra mile to improve lives and build stronger communities. This month, we’re proud to spotlight Cleanscapes Ltd, a company whose commitment to social value is as polished as their window panes.

Operating across the South East, including Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, Berkshire, and London, Cleanscapes provides high-quality cleaning and window cleaning services. But their real shine comes from the work they do beyond their contracts: the impact they’re making on people, places, and possibilities.

33 Projects, Countless Lives Touched

Cleanscapes has successfully completed 33 community-benefiting projects and is currently committed to 19 more, helping to uplift over 24 communities across the region. Their dedication to going beyond the basics of business is woven into the very fabric of their organisation.

As they put it:

“We strive to make a positive difference to the life and future of our locality by taking socially responsible decisions that have real, beneficial, measurable impacts on the people and the environment around us.”

How Cleanscapes Gives Back

Cleanscapes’ social impact comes to life in a variety of creative, compassionate ways:

Resident Clean-Up Days – Offering free labour and equipment to help residents transform their
estates.

Community Investment Fund – Partnering with clients to use social funds to enhance local spaces
directly.

Children’s Books for Environmental Awareness – Authored and distributed by Cleanscapes to inspire young minds.

Sponsorships & Events – From coffee mornings and away days for sheltered residents to bouncy castles for local kids, they support a wide range of community gatherings and celebrations.

What Communities Are Saying

The real measure of social value lies in the voices of the people it touches. Here’s just a snapshot of the feedback pouring in from communities Cleanscapes has supported:

MTVH South London

Cleanscapes Managers, Supervisors and RLO all worked very hard on
ensuring that this project was brought to the Residents of Commodore
Court with care and thoughtfulness. Bringing their much-loved quiet
communal garden back to life. They have improved its functionality,
beauty and experience all in one project. The residents are very
grateful for the improvements, which will be fully evident with the
growth expected this coming spring. Thank you, CLEANSCAPES!!!

Hyde Housing – Sheltered & Supported

The funding was appreciated by 280 elderly vulnerable residents who were able to get together for Christmas and enjoy food, entertainment, and help build and reinforce their community spirit. Thank you for making this happen.

Herbert Morrison Primary School.

Thank you, Cleanscapes, for helping to revive music in our school. Pupils and staff at Herbert Morrison are overwhelmingly grateful for your generous provision of instruments. Lessons will certainly impact the musical skills and achievements of our pupils.

Petworth Community Garden CIC

Thank you to Cleanscapes Ltd for providing much-needed items for our Community Garden – they are just what we needed, and we appreciate your support.

Reaston Street Play Street

Amazing support for our community gardening projects from Cleanscapes 🙂

The Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour

We are delighted to get our kettles so quickly; they are already making a difference to families. Thank you.

And many more…

Why It Matters

Cleanscapes demonstrates that social responsibility can be integrated into service delivery. Their model is one we admire and hope others will be inspired by, where commercial success and community wellbeing go hand in hand.

They’re not just cleaning buildings: they’re helping build better futures.

As Cat Poole, Social Value Co-ordinator at Scape Group Ltd, reflects:

“Through Match My Project, we’ve been able to deliver meaningful social value in partnership with housing associations and have supported some truly inspiring initiatives.

Among so many worthy requests supported, we’ve sponsored free after school clubs, funded clothing for families with little or nothing, attended a community fruit and veg stall event, provided supplies for a children’s play street, funded winter training facilities for youth football and sponsored school trips which gave many children the chance to experience something special. We’ve also carried out garden and hoarding clearances for vulnerable residents and helped improve outdoor spaces for wider community use. It’s been a privilege to play a small part in enabling these fantastic projects to happen.

Internally we share these stories with colleagues across the business, helping everyone see the real impact of our work. It is something we are incredibly proud of and it reminds us why social value matters.”

Thank you, Cleanscapes Ltd, for showing us what it means to care about every corner of our communities.

This is what impact looks like. What could it look like for your community?
Join Match My Project today

We try to be transparent and straightforward.

For example, last week we shared our product update for Match My Project.

The new product features we’ve just shipped and what we’re working on is out there for the whole world to see.

As we were doing this, some ‘disinformation’ about Match My Project came to light in an email chain I was included in.

Which also included around 50 public sector organisations.

The conduit of the disinformation put his hand up.

And is checking his source 🔍

But given how easily the disinformation was shared, who knows who else is under false pretences about Match My Project?

In case you are a UK public sector organisation interested in Social Value delivery and the work we do at Match My Project, can I just confirm:

There IS matching on @Match My Project (!)

Suppliers can search for community projects by using specific criteria.

Related to geography, place based outcome and resource type.

‘Several local authorities have cancelled.’

This could not be further from the truth.

We have had 100% retention over almost 5 years.

No one has cancelled and so far everyone has renewed.

For now.

We realise it won’t stay that way forever.

And we do not take our customers for granted in any way.

But in my experience of building product…

100% retention over 5 years is pretty rare.

If this is doing the rounds in your networks, please check your sources.

Or, make up your own mind by coming to one of our open sessions, taking place tomorrow morning…

We’re thrilled to shine a light on Ian Williams, one of our standout suppliers on Match My Project this June. Known for their innovative approach to property services, Ian Williams delivers directly to homes and buildings across housing, education, retirement living, and commercial sectors.

Their wide-ranging expertise includes property maintenance, planned investment, redecoration programmes, passive fire protection, decarbonisation, and compliance services. Introduced to our platform via Hyde Housing, Onward Homes, and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, the team has gone above and beyond in creating meaningful Social Value through their work.

Their impact so far speaks for itself:

25 organisations supported
26 projects completed
16 projects underway
75 hours contributed
£14,579 Value of materials & money donated

But it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about the lasting difference Ian Williams is making in people’s lives. Each project is a testament to their hands-on commitment to community wellbeing, transforming everyday spaces into places of pride, comfort, and connection. Take a look at just a few of the inspiring initiatives they’ve brought to life:

Here are just a few of the incredible initiatives they’ve supported:

Clearing and painting Moss Street alleyway in Salford East for Onward Homes.

Redecorating rooms at Kennington Park Community Centre for the Hyde Group Junior Board

Donating a coffee machine to the Latvian Community Association’s charity office in Peterborough

Sponsorship of Boxing equipment for women in Nottingham for Second Chance Learning Academy.

Community feedback reflects the genuine care and professionalism of the Ian Williams team:

“Ian Williams Ltd was great at communicating throughout the project and made a real difference to the area with the work they did. Residents around the alleyway are so pleased with the work.” – Onward Homes.

“We’d like to say a huge thanks to Ian Williams Ltd, who kindly donated the funds that have allowed these celebrations to happen. The funding they’ve provided means that 36 Hyde schemes have food and decorations to support the Jubilee celebrations. You have lifted the community spirit with your kind gesture on this special occasion. Thank you so much from the staff and residents at Hyde. – Hyde Housing – Sheltered & Supported.

“The Team at JRF are very grateful to Ian Williams Ltd for their expertise and the work they provided expanding our existing gym area, so that the space can be used by more people from the local community at one time. The work was undertaken professionally, efficiently, and completed promptly. We are very grateful for their generosity in carrying out this work.” – Jason Roberts Foundation.

“The residents of Hyde’s sheltered schemes, Hardwick Court, Miller Court, and Baltimore Place, would like to say a huge thank you to Ian Williams for funding our annual coach trip to Southend-on-Sea.” – Hyde Housing – Sheltered & Supported.

Every hour volunteered and every project completed helps build resilient and inclusive communities. Ian Williams Ltd goes beyond contractual obligations, delivering services with purpose and a deep understanding of local needs.

We’re proud to count them among the suppliers active on the Match My Project platform and look forward to the continued positive impact they will bring in partnership with public sector organisations across the UK.

If you’re not yet a member of our network, we invite you to join!

Simply visit our homepage, select one of the authorities you partner with, and complete the signup process. Or if you are a contracting authority, you can sign up here.

We look forward to welcoming you!

At the end of May Peabody launched their Match My Project platform.

The Match My Project team is so pleased to be working with Peabody, one of the oldest, and largest, housing associations in the UK.

It was founded in 1862 by the American banker and philanthropist George Peabody. The first Peabody dwellings were in Spitalfields, on the edge of the City and not too far from where the Match My Project is based.

By using Match My Project, Peabody is continuing its long history of working with communities to tackle social and economic inequality.

Indeed, Peabody continues to innovate – for example with its 189-home project at Deptford Landings, one of the biggest single-phase Passivhaus projects in the UK.

Peabody is also leading the regeneration of south east London, with its enormous programmes in Thamesmead, Abbey Wood and Plumstead, with significant investment from the Greater London Authority.

We had a great launch – thanks goes to Corin Menuge and team. And thanks to Stephen Burns, Peabody’s Executive Director for Care, Supported Housing and Inclusion.

And also a great turnout with lots of Peabody community partners and suppliers in the room.

The in-person launches are always great, as it gives the Match My Project team a chance to get out in front on local stakeholders. One of the things we’re most proud of is the approach-ability and responsiveness of our team. It was an opportunity for everyone to put Match My Project names to faces.

So, if you want to get speak to someone about getting involved with Peabody’s Match My Project platform, here’s how:

– Get in touch with the Match My Project team here

– Get in touch with the Peabody team here

– Stay up to date with Match My Project opportunities if you are a business or a community organisation or a local public sector organisation.

We had a great launch in Cambridge in the middle of May.

Many thanks to the council team for organising the event. It was a well attended online event with many council suppliers and community partners on the call.

There is so much going on across Cambridgeshire at the moment.

Consider the £1 million in funding for Greater Cambridge Impact, approved late last year by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

And there are a number of strategic partnerships in place to deliver locally-led growth, investment and regeneration. Perhaps the most important being with Homes England’s new Strategic Place Partnership.

It is vital that local communities – and particularly those in need – see the benefit of this inward investment. This is why we are so pleased to see Match My Project introduced to Cambridgeshire.

People do talk about Match My Project as being an innovative Social Value delivery platform.

Perhaps it’s because we work with the platform everyday – but we think it’s just plain common sense.

In many of the places we work we see a community sector plugged into the challenges facing local people.

These organisations know what people are going through in a way that, often, the public and private sector cannot.

They know the history and they know the politics. They are often right at the heart of local networks.

If then, as an authority, you are asking your supply chain to create local community benefits, it seems obvious to build on existing social, community or civic infrastructure that your local community sector has created over decades.

Match My Project makes that match between private and community sector as easy and as effective – as efficient and as targeted – as possible. We make private and community sector collaboration easy and then let the public sector, as the contracting authority, scale that collaboration to maximise Social Value delivery and impact.

And as simple as that sounds, the Match My Project team has invested a lot of time and effort into making it easy.

And it is why the launch events are so important – to share good practice and top tips so we see as many projects delivered as possible.

So, if you want to get involved with Cambridgeshire County Council’s Match My Project, here’s how:

– Get in touch with the Match My Project team here

– Get in touch with the Cambridgeshire County Council team here

– Stay up to date with Match My Project opportunities if you are a business or a community organisation or a local public sector organisation.

We’re excited to highlight Purdy Contracts Ltd—our top-performing supplier on Match My Project for May. A member of the Kinovo Group, Purdy is a trusted provider of mechanical, electrical, building services, and renewable energy solutions. They joined the platform through Hyde Housing and have demonstrated exceptional commitment to delivering meaningful social value.

Their impact so far speaks volumes:

27 organisations supported
42 projects completed
9 projects currently underway
139 hours contributed

But it’s not just the numbers that stand out—it’s the real, tangible impact they’re making in local communities.

Here are just a few examples of the initiatives they’ve supported:

South London Recruitment Event, in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions – Forest Hill Jobcentre

Replacing damaged basketball backboards for Prospex

Event team support for the Greenwich Community Santa’s Grotto, in partnership with Good Neighbours

Community feedback reflects the genuine care and professionalism of the Purdy team:

“Good Neighbours can’t express our gratitude for the Purdy team attending our event… The Purdy team were amazing, really hands-on, got stuck in, worked well with the team and were a real asset to the day.”
– Good Neighbours

“Purdy (Peter and Pippa) are fantastic to work with. Helpful, flexible and professional… The support makes a big difference to Oasisplay and the children and young people we support.”
– Oasis Children’s Venture

“Purdy Contracts were superb… We cannot thank them enough for the difference their contribution will make to the local community.”
– Prospex

“It was a pleasure to work with Purdy Contracts Ltd. They will make a real difference to 6 families in need who want to make the few clothes they have look smart.”
– The Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour

We’re very grateful for this kind support, helping us to help those in our local community who are facing financial crisis.

– Medway Foodbank

Every hour given, every partnership formed, and every project completed helps create positive, lasting change where needed most.

Purdy Contracts Ltd has shown what it means to go beyond the brief, setting a high bar for purposeful, community-focused engagement.

We’re proud to have them as part of the Match My Project network and look forward to seeing even more impact as they and our wider community of businesses continue to grow.

62 organisations supported.

57 projects completed.

186 hours delivered.

Alphatrack Systems, a fire and security systems specialist, is #1 on two Match My Project leaderboards – Hyde Housing and Hackney Giving – and for good reason.

60 blood pressure devices delivered to Hackney Congolese Women Support Group

What resources is Alphatrack Systems providing to local communities?

To name a few:

60 blood pressure devices to help members of Hackney Congolese Women Support Group better manage their blood pressure before conditions reach a critical stage.

A year of free, healthy school breakfasts for school children in South London.

8 laptops to help the efficient running of mental health support services to young people in Chichester.

Making STEM education accessible & free for 8 young people in the borough of Lambeth, with Millennium Community Solutions

It’s not just the numbers saying they’re an outstanding supplier on Match My Project. It’s also the feedback from their community partners.

Here’s a sample:

Really great Company to work with. They worked so quickly to help children living in poverty to get lovely new school shoes . Big thank you on behalf of all those happy children.

– The Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour

A big thank you to Alphatrack Systems. Your support to our charitable Youth Centre is highly appreciated and makes a big difference to the young people attending our Centre.

– The Sylvia Beaufoy Centre

Alpha Track Systems has been a fantastic partner in our community project. They were highly communicative and attentive, ensuring every detail was confirmed and met our needs perfectly. Their support has not only facilitated a smoother project execution but will also have a lasting positive impact on our community. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and exceptional service.

– Unity Support Network CIC

The impact is clearly far-reaching.

Every hour contributed, every project completed, and every relationship formed represents real change happening at the grassroots level where it matters most.

By consistently prioritising the needs of local organisations and completing their projects with genuine care, Alphatrack has set a gold standard for social value delivery.

We are proud to work in partnership with forward-thinking businesses like Alphatrack Systems that use our technology to deliver meaningful social value in local communities.

We look forward to celebrating many more success stories as our network of businesses continues to grow and thrive.

Sponsoring a theatre trip for disadvantaged young people, with Volunteer Centre Sutton

Do you want to be a part of the story?
Sign up via your local authority’s Match My Project homepage here: https://matchmyproject.org/