FEATURE
Sustainable- Emma Stainthorpe, left, and Lynn Pallister MBE at the Grangetown United Community Hub, where Sembcorp have funded solar panels. fantastic to see a major local employer like Sembcorp, right on our doorstep at Wilton, investing so meaningfully in the sustainable future of our community.”
Just a 10-minute drive from the Wilton site sits South Bank Primary School, an essential pillar of the local community that supports a diverse range of pupils, including those with special educational needs.
Earlier this year, Sembcorp’ s community efforts were recognised at the 2026 NEPIC Awards, where it took home the Communities and Reputation Award.
Rather than keeping the £ 2,000 prize money, Sembcorp donated it all to South Bank Primary to fund a newly-launched STEM( Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) club.
The funds are being used to purchase equipment, organise educational visits and bring industry speakers into the classroom to inspire the next generation.
Charmaine Burgess, deputy head at South Bank Primary, said:“ This generous £ 2,000 donation allows us to launch our new STEM club and bring these crucial subjects to life for our children.
“ Being located so close to the Wilton site, we want to inspire our pupils to see that incredible careers in science, engineering and green energy are right on their doorstep. Sembcorp’ s support is helping us create a positive environment for our young learners.”
This passion for education extends beyond South Bank. In April, Sembcorp hosted a judging event for the Primary Engineer competition,‘ If you were an engineer, what would you do?’.
Thanks to Sembcorp’ s backing, the programme doubled its reach across the North-East this year, ensuring that more young minds- including those in SEN and home-school settings- can relate to real industry professionals.
Sembcorp’ s approach to community support is to address immediate social needs alongside long-term educational and environmental goals.
Jo Potter, head of human resources for Sembcorp Energy UK, said:“ We are committed to investing in affordable and clean energy, aligning with our UN SDG7 goals and the transition from brown to green energy.
“ If our programmes can benefit the environment while helping local organisations manage their energy costs, that is exactly what we want to do.
“ But our focus goes beyond just power. For example, at the Grangetown Generations Centre, we are working with a local councillor to part-fund and fit a new kitchen.
“ It means local schoolchildren can get hot, cooked meals and elderly residents now have a place to bake while connecting with one another.
“ Whether it’ s providing support to South Bank Primary School to push STEM initiatives, running a drive for a local food bank, our Teesside Christmas toy appeal for pre-loved toys or our staff using their annual volunteering days to litter-pick in Kirkleatham Woods and Eston Cemetery, it all feeds into our core goal of supporting our hyper-local communities.”
That hands-on approach was in full force during Sembcorp Green Week, a global sustainability initiative where staff traded their desks for the outdoors to give back to the region.
Five team members headed to Eston Cemetery to assist local volunteer groups with weeding and clearing around the War Memorial and Tinkers Alley.
Meanwhile, 12 volunteers tackled shrub clearing and boundary fencing in the historic Kirkleatham Woods, and a further 19 employees carried out a massive litter pick at The Closes Estate in Redcar.
In addition to environmental cleanups, the team rallied together to support Grangetown families facing financial strain over the summer holidays.
A highly successful pre-loved toys collection gathered a mountain of books, puzzles, games and clothes, all delivered directly to local children to brighten their school break.
Sembcorp Energy UK is proving that its most valuable investments aren’ t just taking place behind the gates. By promoting clean energy, backing local education and rolling up their sleeves to support the most vulnerable, Sembcorp is helping to engineer a brighter, greener future on Teesside.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 57