SEGRO celebrates the success of its London Community Fund in 2017

Over 1,000 vulnerable Londoners have benefitted from the SEGRO London Community Fund in 2017.

Analysis and feedback from the 18 charities who have received financial support from the £85,000 fund in 2017, showed that 1,203 individual lives have in some way improved.

The SEGRO London Community Fund is designed to support grass root community projects in areas where the business operates.

Charities and organisations apply to receive funding and are selected if they reach the correct criteria – which include having a focus on improving skills, education and job preparedness for members of the local community.

In 2017, 120 people achieved full time, permanent employment as a result of attending interview skills training and 87 individuals secured work experience in 2017 as part of their journey to employment.

50 of those individuals who secured employment graduated from a 16 week employment course provided by Resco - a social impact business – were homeless and long term unemployed in the London Borough of Hounslow.

Jim, a Resco employability programme participant, said:

“Within two weeks of being on the programme, I’d had more conversations with people than in the previous nine years. Before Resco, I didn’t stand a chance of getting a job but now I have started a role in a call centre through a Resco employer partnership and am excited to actually be in work.”

Vivify Hub, a community organisation that is based in London Borough of Barking and Dagenham which is part of SEGRO’s East Plus scheme, delivered a specific STEM workshop to a group of 20 school girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a result of this training, 13 of the girls said they would now pursue a career in STEM.

Alan Holland, SEGRO’s Business Unit Director Greater London, said:

“As a company, SEGRO operates across London and provides the space for businesses to start-up, expand and flourish. These businesses attract inward investment to the areas in which they operate and regularly provide employment opportunities for local people.”

“That is why we are delighted to see the results of the work of those supported by the SEGRO London Community Fund who have enabled individuals take advantage of the employment opportunities created by our customers.”

“Equipping individuals with the skills to re-enter the workforce and develop their roles within the community is a great success and we are proud of each one of the organisations who have achieved this and we look forward to working with community groups and other stakeholders in 2018 and beyond.”

Since the launch of the fund in 2015, over £143,000 has been donated funding more than 40 charities that help vulnerable Londoners.

The SEGRO London Community Fund was launched in partnership with the London Community Foundation, an organisation that works with donors to invest in charities and community projects throughout London.

Notes to editors:

To view a short film with some of the people who have benefitted from SEGRO’s partnership with the London Community Foundations visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i1Ecc6h-Ww

About SEGRO

SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), and a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and light industrial property. It owns or manages 6.3 million square metres (68 million square feet) of space valued at over £8 billion, serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in nine other European countries. www.SEGRO.com

About the London Community Foundation

The London Community Foundation (LCF) is a grant-making and philanthropy charity that makes a difference to the lives of Londoners by connecting people who need help with those who are willing to give. Child poverty, unemployment, isolation, homelessness, domestic violence and gang crime are just some of the issues being tackled through their grant-making. www.londoncf.org.uk