Karbon Homes has been recognised for its commitment to strengthening communities across the North East, winning the Community Impact Award at the North East BusinessIQ Awards.
The accolade formally acknowledges Karbon’s mission to create strong, sustainable places where people feel supported, connected and able to thrive.
Phil Pollard, Assistant Director of Customer and Community Engagement at Karbon Homes, said: “Karbon’s mission is to provide people with a strong foundation for life, a solid footing from which people can fulfil their potential. To achieve this, it’s about going further than just putting roofs over customers heads, helping strengthen the communities around them and giving them access to support services.”
“It’s a proud moment to be formally recognised for a year of hard work and dedication in helping strengthen our communities across the North East. It’s a testament to the power of long‑term investment, strong partnerships and a deep commitment to the making lasting, sustainable change.”
Through the 24/25 financial year, Karbon’s Community Investment Fund has supported 128 community initiatives, totalling over £220,000. This has been further strengthened through the social value commitments of Karbon’s contractors and suppliers, generating an additional £2.8million in social value delivered in partnership with 41 organisations.
Much of this work has focused on addressing the region’s most pressing challenges, including tackling food poverty. Through its Winter Wellbeing Fund, Karbon awarded 21 grants to organisations specifically offering support to residents facing food and hygiene poverty.
And the organisation has developed a number of mutually beneficial partnerships with region-wide food poverty charities.
For example, its collaboration with The Bread and Butter Thing has brought three affordable food hubs to Newcastle East, Morpeth and Consett, giving residents access to low‑cost groceries and reducing financial pressure on households.
Karbon has also taken a deeper, place‑based approaches in its identified impact areas, where it has a large concentration of homes and is best placed to make a positive difference.
On the Byker estate in Newcastle, Karbon is transforming underused community spaces into vibrant creative hubs that celebrate the estate’s heritage, supported by over £45,000 in social value and £338,000 in external funding.
In Stanley, it has helped breathe new life into the high street. Monthly food markets now draw 1,500 visitors, a new Front Street Partnership is shaping long‑term improvements, and the regeneration of the derelict Board School site marks a major step toward revitalising the area.