 In addition to using the property industry’s money to transform the lives of the young and disadvantaged LandAid wants to make the most effective and innovative use of the industry’s resources, expertise and influence too. LandAid supports its core charity partners by coordinating the vast range of professional expertise available in the property industry and matching it with the needs of the charity sector.
If you want to offer your own professional expertise or that of your company to provide pro-bono support on a LandAid project or have resources or facilities that could be put to good charitable use then let us know. Perhaps you could help project manage the refurbishment of a youth centre or help us find a site for a new build? Whatever your role in the property industry, there is a way you can get involved.
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Fairbridge Merseyside |
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 Fairbridge is a ‘first-step’ organisation that helps young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) by giving them the motivation, self-confidence and skills they need to change their lives.
With a grant of £50,000 from LandAid (with an extra £11,000 since pledged by Redevco) and pro bono assistance from British Land, DLA Piper, Gardiner & Theobald, Grosvenor and Knight Frank Fairbridge Merseyside will be able to move from a dilapidated building to a new premises in the heart of Liverpool.
The purpose built centre will welcome an increased number of young people who will be able to choose from a bigger range of exciting projects to take part in such as business skills courses, art projects and sports activities. |
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Telereal Trillium and Centrepoint |
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At the end of 2011, LandAid brought together Centrepoint, and a Foundation Partner, Telereal Trillium, utilizing the property company’s resources pro bono to save the charity thousands of pounds. The lease for Centrepoint’s Central House was due for renewal, but in such austere times, it decided to consolidate and move to just one floor.
This move meant halving the space available, changing the layout and the creation of new meeting rooms in the new one-floor plan. Quotes received for the work when it went to tender ranged from c. £54,000- £76,000, a cost that Centrepoint could little afford.
LandAid was able to bring together Centrepoint and Telereal Trillium. Subsequently contractors Amaryllis provided Centrepoint with substantial cost savings for the work and valuable advice regarding furniture and office fit-outs. A further introduction to contractor Celtarga lead to the creation of much needed further meeting rooms. Explaining Telereal Trillium’s involvement, their Head of Corporate Responsibility Susan Cain said, “We have a long established commitment to corporate responsibility, which includes pro bono activities. We are delighted that through our work with LandAid we were able to share the expertise of our people and to help deliver significant cost savings and a great new office environment for CentrePoint.”
In addition, Amaryllis generously gifted 97 nearly-new office chairs. Nick Bowler, Head of Facilities at Centrepoint said “Centrepoint has not only benefitted from significant cost savings but also now have an office space that provides a vibrancy and buzz that was lacking from the previous arrangement spread over two floors. The difference has been felt by both staff and external visitors alike.”
The final cost of the furniture and fit-out came to just under £31,000, in total a saving of over £24,000. When factoring the saved costs on chairs this rises to a total saving of over £53,000. In the long term, Centrepoint will also now save approximately £130,000 annually in rent as it now occupies only one floor.
Joanna Averley, Chief Executive of LandAid, said “LandAid is thrilled to have been able to facilitate this successful partnership. The property industry is uniquely positioned to offer the expertise and influence that can make all the difference to worthy causes. Telereal Trillium and their contractor’s pro bono activity had an invaluable impact, allowing Centrepoint to more effectively support young people who are homeless.”
Centrepoint are also currently working with another LandAid foundation partner, Malcolm Hollis, to negotiate dilapidations on the now vacant floor. Significant savings are also expected as a result of this pro bono work. |
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