Digital skills for the next generation are being delivered to local primary school children through a collaboration between Golden Valley and Jam Coding.
It’s just one example of the long lasting and positive change that Golden Valley, at West Cheltenham, will deliver as part of its pledge to support local residents and communities through a newly revised social value strategy.
The council and its chosen developer, HBD, are working together to ensure that Golden Valley delivers real value now and at every stage of the £1bn development. The scheme will bring together businesses, schools, colleges and universities, international research and development facilities, 1,000 affordable homes, community amenities and green spaces.
The Jam Coding sessions – which are sponsored by Golden Valley and have acted as the strategy’s launch pad – are being delivered to four local primary schools, benefitting more than 90 children.
Other positive initiatives, delivered through Golden Valley and designed to link communities together, include a food pantry collection point at the town centre MX building to support West Cheltenham food pantry, as well as the offer of event and meeting rooms for local organisations who’d ordinarily struggle to fund the space.
Five key principles are at the heart of the social value plan: employment and skill development; a thriving, innovative economy; a rich cultural offering; health, safety and wellbeing; and protection of our town’s environment and biodiversity.
Councillor Peter Jeffries, deputy leader at Cheltenham Borough Council said: ‘’We know that the greatest impact is usually achieved when we all work together and that’s what’s behind Golden Valley – particularly our social value promise – and all the opportunities that it can bring. Together with HBD, partners and eventually, occupiers, we will make decisions that will maximise community benefit and opportunity, whether that’s through education, employment, housing, environment or wellbeing.
‘’Our social value strategy will deliver a series of activities designed to engage with and give back to the community, for example through school workshops, newsletters, partnership work with No Child Left Behind and the longer term creation of a charter for businesses and occupiers to sign up to, to pledge their commitment to local communities.’’
Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, said: “Golden Valley offers a unique opportunity to invest in digital skills across AI, cyber and security, nurturing ambition and inspiring our future tech innovators. Alongside our partnership with Jam Coding, we are also working closely with the University of Bristol, the University of Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire College. Skills development is a priority for Golden Valley, ensuring that we are creating and attracting the best talent and enhancing Cheltenham’s reputation as the cyber capital of the UK.”
For press enquiries, contact Cheltenham Borough Council communications team, email [email protected] or telephone 01242 264231
Watch a short video capturing a recent sponsored Jam Coding session at Gardners Lane – Golden Valley jam coding event
Additional notes:
Jam Coding – funded places
The local primary schools benefitting from Golden Valley funded after-school Jam Coding sessions are: Rowanfield, Springbank, Oakwood and Gardners Lane primary schools.
Social value strategy
The revised social value strategy for Golden Valley was agreed at a meeting of cabinet on 11 March 2025.
The strategy outlines five clear principles for GVD’s Social Value, developed by HBD with input from the borough council:
1) Provide life-changing employment and skills opportunities to increase aspiration, opportunity, and accessibility for Cheltenham’s residents. Fostering accessibility and ambition.
2) Support Cheltenham’s and the wider region’s economy to thrive and prosper with a focus on innovation. Allows Cheltenham to thrive as a forward-thinking hub of progress.
3) Contribute to Cheltenham’s rich cultural offering and invest in, and collaborate with, community partners to address key societal challenges. Enriching Cheltenham’s vibrant social fabric.
4) Deliver exceptional standards of health, safety, and wellbeing. Ensures that the development is a safe and supportive environment for all.
5) Protect and enhance Cheltenham’s natural environment and biodiversity. Reinforces our role as stewards of the region’s biodiversity, ensuring a positive ecological impact and mitigating any challenges from construction.