Supporting charities and the local community this Christmas
Posted 20/12/2023
We are committed to building better, stronger, safer, and more sustainable communities and throughout the Group ensure social value is embedded and forms an integral part of every development we deliver. This Christmas we have been working closely with local charities and community groups to raise money and volunteer our time to support residents’ events.
Amy Reynolds, Director of ESG at Higgins Partnerships comments, “We are proud to once again be working closely with the local communities around our developments to support the many initiatives taking place. With the ongoing cost of living pressures, we know how important these events and donations are to local people and I am really grateful to all our team for the help they have given, whether it is a donation of some toys or food or their time to help at an event.
“I would also like to thank our sub-contractor partners who have also donated money to support these causes.”
St Luke’s Christmas Fair, Islington
We volunteered our time to help at St Luke’s Christmas Fair which was attended by over 600 residents who enjoyed a wealth of activities including face printing, festive bingo, Christmas card and decoration making, glitter tattoos and a station to make food for the reindeers. The children were also treated to an early visit from Father Christmas at the Grotto. St Luke’s is a community hub which provides a range of services, activities, and events for residents of all ages, including after school clubs, employment support and gardening for older people.
Epping Forest Food Bank
The staff at Head Office collected much needed food supplies for Epping Forest Food Bank which helps those in crisis by providing a nutritionally balanced emergency food parcels. The collection is being distributed to local families in time for Christmas.
Oak View SEN School, Loughton
The team have also been collecting toys for Oak View School in Loughton, a specialist provision for pupils aged 3-19 with special educational needs. Over 100 quality toys have been donated which will now be distributed into the community to families in need via local schools.
Silver Friends Christmas Party, Surrey
Linked to our Botanical Place development in West Byfleet, we volunteered our time to help at Silver Friends’ Christmas Party. Guests were served a delicious three course Christmas lunch and enjoyed some festive entertainment. Silver Friends aims to overcome the isolation and loneliness of our older members of the community by socially connecting them by offering events and outings which will impact their wellbeing and happiness.
Robes Project, Southwark
This winter we have been supporting Robes Project who provide help to those who are rough sleeping or are at risk. The charity provides guests with temporary accommodation, food, and employment services. Our Ecole team have been providing donations of warm clothing and food and also donated £100 to the charity.
Santa’s Grotto at York Way Estate
As well as a financial donation towards the event, the social value team joined members of the local community by volunteering their time to support the York Way Estate Santa’s Grotto. Families from across the community joined in the festive fun which raised vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
WISH Christmas Event
We were proud to recently sponsor the South-East Women Working in Social Housing (WISH) Christmas Party, giving members a chance to celebrate the successes of 2023. The networking organisation offers encouragement and support for all women in the UK housing sector, and challenges gender inequality and the gender pay gap, as well as encouraging new and existing talent to remain in the sector.
Supporting Annual Christmas Community Festival
Our Botanical Place team joined residents, councillors and the Mayor of Woking at the Annual Christmas Community Festival hosted by St John the Baptist Church in West Byfleet. As part of the festive celebrations the community were invited to create wreaths depicting a Christmas Carol which are being displayed from the pillars in the church. We sponsored ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ wreath and donated funds to the church.
Christmas Jumper Day
Higgins once again supported ‘Christmas Jumper Day and raised £210 for Save the Children UK.
Christmas Shopping Vouchers
Across all of our developments we have also been donating £50 shopping vouchers to residents’ associations and the local community which they have been using to raise much needed funds through raffles. We also made a donation to DASH, a charity which supports those who have experienced domestic abuse.