In the response to the pandemic, we have seen communities right across the UK come together in such a way like never before. In every neighbourhood and community, people have and are continuing to work hard in order to support one another because the current circumstances are not discriminatory. The livelihoods and health of everybody is paramount.
As a mixed-tenure housebuilder, we recognise now more than ever, our responsibility and role in alleviating these pressures on the communities we create and operate in. Providing safe and accessible communities is our company’s lifelong commitment – one which we have been doing for over 60 years – but it is how we go beyond this and not only care for those who live in our homes, but the independent, local shops and services that so many residents rely upon. The people who run the grocery stores, takeaway coffee houses, foodbanks and other essential services are all a credit to their communities for sustaining residents through these difficult times.
At the end of April, we established our Communities Fund which is donating £1 million to charities, foodbanks and community groups across the country in the areas where we operate.
On a more local level, we have seen residents and employees of our developments proactively come together for the greater good. At Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV), residents and workers in this community have been actively exchanging resources, sharing tips on home-schooling and donating food parcels to local frontline staff. GMV has been working closely with the Residents’ Association to identify those most in need and support organisations in the Greenwich area.
At South Oxhey Central, we donated money to South Oxhey Baptist Church and the local shop in order to help with a ‘baby bank’ – a foodbank dedicated to parents who are in need of support in order to care for their children. The ‘baby bank’ is just one of the many initiatives we are proud to have helped and it is gratifying to hear how the money is being effectively used by local shops and organisations to address their communities’ needs.
We are working with the communities at each of our developments. Across Hertfordshire, several of our Housebuilding Central developments, such as St. Michael’s Hurst, have been contributing donations to organisations such as the Isabel Hospice and Age UK Herts in Welwyn Garden City. In west London, Acton Gardens has been active in supporting its local community too. When construction on Phase 6 paused due to the pandemic, the construction team worked with the community liaison group to make sure that any canteen food did not go to waste. Local food charities and vulnerable people in South Acton received upwards of £600 worth of food.
Closer to home in our heartlands, we have supported a range of organisations from across the spectrum in Essex. As one of many donations, our Wolsey Park development in Rayleigh supported Rochford District Council and a number of other local business and charity partners to set-up a foodbank and call centre with its donation of £10,000.
These acts of support are just as important to us as it is the businesses, charities and community groups during these challenging months. It is our way of continually giving back to the people who make our communities what they are.