Charities and initiatives from across the built environment are doing fantastic work to support the profession, individuals and the environment. We are highlighting the impact that these efforts are having in helping solve some of the biggest issues that we face.
Our profession has always been a force for positive social impact.
Everything we do is designed to effect positive change in the built and natural environments and surveyors are at the heart of pioneering better places and spaces for local communities and for future generations.
Now in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic surveying professionals are finding innovative ways to use their expertise to help with the recovery.
Firms from across the UK’s built environment sector are also doing what they can in these difficult times to support local communities and struggling charities.
Read more about these below, as well as the efforts shown across the profession to be more sustainable.
Feed the Frontline
BNP Paribas is lending support to the Feed the Frontline initiative that’s been set up to deliver 8000 fresh food parcels to NHS workers across seven trusts supporting these essential key workers who are finding it difficult getting to shops after late shifts and getting fresh foods. This matches with a food wholesale industry with surpluses due to restaurants and office kitchen closures.
Find out more
2.6 Challenge - Save the UK’s Charities
JLL are getting behind a national Save the UK’s Charities initiative. With charities folding due to lack of cash, a superb UK wide initiative called the 2.6 Challenge aims to raise £67million for all UK charities (not just Covid-19 associated ones). A perfect opportunity to invite clients to take part with you from Sunday 26 April.
You dream up a challenge to do with 2.6 (or 26), choose a charity close to your heart, do the challenge then donate. Challenges so far include 26 mins of dancing, 2.6km of hopping, eating 26 Yorkshire puddings.
Feed the Nation
As Covid-19 has re-shaped the dimensions of supply and demand in the UK labour market, BNP Paribas is responding to this challenge to raise awareness that the UK needs 80,000 food pickers over the coming months in order to pick our country’s harvest and ensure none of it is wasted. If we are unable to pick all the food needed for the UK, food costs will ultimately rise. With a large proportion of the UK workforce now on furlough or unemployed, there’s an opportunity to help our hard-working farmers.
LandAid Covid-19 Emergency Fund
Helical, Savills, Knight Frank, Landsec and M&G are the founding supporters of a Covid-19 Emergency Fund that aims to raise over £1m to support those who you young, homeless and vulnerable, and the extraordinary front-line charities supporting them through the pandemic. 100% of the funds raised will go to helping young people and their keyworkers. Each week LandAid is launching fun interactive activities that you can do in isolation such as #ContributeYourCommute here.
In the face of this national emergency, LandAid is seeking to harness the skills and expertise of property professionals across the country, including many who may be furloughed to support the UK’s amazing homelessness charities.
Lionheart
Of course, let us not forget that charity begins at home. Many of our own profession is facing a challenging time at the moment. Lionheart the charity for RICS professionals, past and present, and their families provides a range of services from financial support, health and wellbeing packages, free professional counselling, work-related support, legal advice, and help in cases of serious illness. Supporting Lionheart is one way that you can express your appreciation of the profession and show support for your colleagues.
Support Lionheart or find out more about their services
If your firm is involved in pro bono or charitable work during this time and you’d like RICS to help raise awareness let us know. Email jlindon@rics.org
Supporting the NHS
RICS has agreed with the Prime Minister to call out to our profession to offer access to buildings that could be used by the NHS and other keyworkers during the Covid19 pandemic. You can register an offer on the government’s portal.
CBRE is also assisting the NHS by facilitating engagement with a working group to support immediate needs for additional premises and parking facilities.
Putting PPE on the frontline
Help get PPE to our NHS and key workers. Care Given is a not-for-profit organisation on a mission to supply out frontline workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Help spread the word or donate.
Property Weekend Challenge
The JLL Property Triathlon held at Dorney Lake each year has raised over £2m for charities over the years.This year it has been cancelled for obvious reasons however JLL are holding a virtual event instead; A bit of fun for those in the industry and their families in aid of JLL’s charity, Crisis together with property industry charity, Land Aid. Running from Friday 26th June until Sunday 28th June 2020 entrants can participate in a virtual sprint duathlon (no swimming required). The event suits all ages and abilities and will help raise vital funds to bring homelessness to an end.
Case studies from our profession
We already know the dangers of climate change. Find out what organisations across the profession are doing to be more sustainable.
