The prestigious 2022 Commonwealth Games have been heralded a huge success – and Welfare Hire has been privileged to support the event with our specialist ECO units.

Our involvement began during Birmingham’s preparations for the event.  The ambitious Sprint project is upgrading roadways to slash bus journey times and introducing zero-emission buses, creating a greener city.  Phase 1 was fast-tracked to be up and running for the Games, with up to 80 workers on site.  Welfare Hire’s units provided the most modern, comfortable facilities for them, while hitting the project’s sustainability targets. 

Our support continued throughout the event, with Welfare Hire’s eco lighting and welfare units proving the natural choice for an event with a stated aim of leaving ‘a carbon neutral legacy’¹.  Our products are powered by next-generation hybrid lithium and solar energy, reducing CO₂ emissions and minimising fuel consumption, with no compromise on performance.

Creating safe visitor spaces

With over 1.5 million spectator tickets sold over 11 days of events² getting people to and from the Games efficiently was paramount for its smooth running.   Welfare Hire’s Hybrid Lithium Lighting Towers created safe, brightly-lit walkways and transport hubs for event visitors, with their super-bright performance.

In addition to event visitors, an army of more than 13,000 volunteer stewards needed to be catered for.  Welfare Hire’s ECOXLi welfare units were supplied to the temporary transport hubs for the marshals working there, providing them with the most comfortable, spacious and high-specification facilities.  These premium units achieved silent, green running with no associated operating costs.

Aaron Muir, organiser of the Park & Ride operations on behalf of Transport for West Midlands noted, “The solar panels have been a real added benefit.  They’ve kept the Lithium batteries topped up which has meant that we haven’t had to use the generators at all, so we’ve used zero fuel as a result.”

Units packed with innovative design

While the ECO welfare units deliver on sustainability and smart green technology, there are many other benefits from the modern, innovative design, including:

• Large, comfortable canteen area, with plenty of ports for phone-charging
• Well-laid out office
• Higher quality and hygiene from the 2+1 water-flush toilets
• Rainwater harvesting system to top up water tanks
• Towable, agile units for easy location
• Remote management of units using smart telemetry
• Robust, durable build quality

Aaron has also commented on the exceptional service he has received from Welfare Hire, concluding, “The customer service and just the overall impression [from] Welfare Hire has been extremely positive.”

Learn more about our Welfare Units and Tower Lights here.

1. Commonwealth Games: Paris 2024 Olympics ‘to learn from Birmingham’ on sustainability – BBC Sport
2. The Guardian view on Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games: a bullish experience | Editorial | The Guardian