LandAid commits £1million for young people - LandAid

Feb

2011

LandAid commits £1million for young people

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Over 100 key individuals from the commercial property industry gathered together on Thursday 3 February to celebrate the first year of LandAid’s successful Foundation Partner Scheme – designed to support the industry charity’s work in transforming the lives of disadvantaged young people. Due to the success of the scheme LandAid will be able to commit £1million to projects in 2011.

At the reception kindly held by Hogan Lovells it was also announced that Grainger had become the latest organisation to become a Foundation Partner following recent new recruits Ashurst, DTZ, Easter Group, Montagu Evans and The Blackstone Group.

Rob Bould LandAid Fundraising Chairman (Chief Executive of GVA) said: “The success of the Foundation Partner Scheme has been integral to LandAid’s strong growth and has increased our net income this year by 25% which will allow us to commit £1million in 2011 towards projects that benefit disadvantaged young people by providing the facilities, opportunities and support they need to reach their potential.”

Robin Broadhurst, LandAid Chairman (Chairman of Grainger plc) said: “Youth unemployment is at the highest level since records began (20.3% amongst 16-24 year olds) and many young people are struggling to get on and having to cope with multiple challenges such as homelessness and a lack of qualifications. By working together through LandAid and becoming a Foundation Partner the sector can make a real difference and ensure that a generation of young people is not written off.”

Chi Chi, a young person participating in a scheme run by Fairbridge in Hackney which is supported by LandAid said: “Since coming to the Fairbridge centre in Hackney which was opened with funding from LandAid I’ve made new friends, improved my communication skills and feel much more confident. Before I was lonely and doing nothing with my time; now I’ve started a Mathematics diploma at Birbeck University. I’m also a Youth Ambassador for Fairbridge and have the opportunity to speak to journalists, Ministers and MPs. I didn’t realise there were so many good opportunities out there for me. You just have to search for them.”

Mikey a young person living in a hostel run by Centrepoint which receives Foundations for Life (FFL) funding from LandAid for specialist learning staff and educational facilities said: “I have been a resident at Bruce House for just over a year now. During this time, I have managed to sort out some of the problems which were holding me back. I have recently found full time employment, something I have been trying to obtain for some time. I feel I owe this to the FFL Learning Team at Centrepoint for putting me in touch with a construction company who helped me to get my CSCS card, a necessity in my line of work. I feel that without the support of the FFL staff I may not be where I am today.” (Mikey’s name has been changed to protect his identity.)

Find out more about LandAid's Foundation Partner Scheme
Centrepoint - giving homeless young people a future
Fairbridge - supporting inner city youth