Philanthropy
Since 1885 we have been giving back to the communities in which we operate. Our individual and collective philanthropy connects us as a business across our 76 global offices.
Photo by Global Giving/Caritas
Helping refugees to rebuild their lives
The Gleeds team raised £20,000 for RefuAid, a charity helping refugees to build meaningful lives by providing access to language tuition, education, finance and employment.
40% of the world's refugees live in camps - most often because there is no alternative. RefuAid aims to encourage a focus on alternatives to protracted refugee camps, which can distort nation economies and have a devastating impact on the local environment. Life for refugees living in camps can foster dependency and cause further trauma.
RefuAid highlights the positive impact on economies where refugees are given full access to rights within the host community.
“Forced migration is one of the leading issues of our generation. We're thrilled to be working with Gleeds to support those fleeing war and conflict"
Anna Jones,
CEO, RefuAid
Employment opportunities for all
Led by entrepreneur Emma Sinclair, the Ukraine Business Consortium has partnered with over 100 British firms to provide employment positions for displaced refugees.
Struck by the fact that displaced professional people such as neurosurgeons, engineers and technical leads are forced to take on work that does not make best use of their remarkable skillsets, Emma created the consortium in 2022.
Gleeds is sponsoring five Ukrainian refugees and offering year long support as they integrate into UK society and find employment commensurate with experience.
“My father’s side of the family came from Ukraine, fleeing persecution. It is not surprising – but very uplifting – to see how quickly business has stepped up to fill an urgent gap in light of the Ukrainian crisis. ”
Emma Sinclair MBE,
Founder, the Ukraine Business Consortium
#WestandwithUkraine
As the crisis unfolded, our team in Poland quickly galvanised the community to assist with the refugee efforts. Providing homes, food, clothes and safe play spaces for children, the team also fundraised for three humanitarian charities, which was then match funded by Gleeds.
Homes for Ukraine
When many of our Ukrainian colleagues needed to relocate, Gleeds people opened their homes and their hearts. We also have colleagues hosting families through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and have established a support network and mental health programmes to help them re-settle both at work and home.
“I am very grateful to Gleeds for the opportunity to move to a safe place. But every day and every minute, our thoughts are back home with Ukraine.”
Anna Antonenko
Marketing Assistant, Gleeds Kyiv/London
Suicide prevention in Ukraine
Ukraine Director, Colin Ross, took part in the Copenhagen Marathon in support of Lifeline Ukraine. This has directly funded approximately 300 interventions - where taking a call on the Lifeline Ukraine hotline connects with someone in need. All interventions are essential and 15% deal with someone who has the immediate intention to end their life. That’s approximately 45 suicides prevented - thanks to the generosity of friends, family and Gleeds.
Alongside our Ukraine focus, Gleeds' wider philanthropic efforts extend to support social mobility in the local communities in which we work and live.
Life changing support for young people affected by crime and violence
We recently co-hosted a Sporting Heroes event for the charity SwitchUp, raising £70,000. Our Chief Client Officer is Switch Up’s Business Ambassador, establishing links between local companies and the charity sector. SwitchUp uses sport, mentoring and counselling to transform lives for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.
The Gleeds Global Challenge
This event brings all 2,400 Gleeds people together in support of global causes. In the first year, we raised £250k for local charities, nominated by our colleagues.
Other events included a global educational programme in schools, seeking to inspire students to join the property and construction industry and help to address the skills shortage.
In 2022 we launched a wellbeing and environmental challenge with Treekly, to support reforestation, biodiversity and an end to poverty in Madagascar.
Providing help for communities in Peru
As part of our work in Peru, we are supporting one of Lima’s poorest communities by supplying food to the Ollas Comunes - community kitchens that spring up when there is a need.
We are also helping to rebuild houses in the low-income district for 10 families whose homes were recently destroyed by fire, raising funds and volunteering with practical help on site.
Our philanthropic journey continues to grow. In 2023 we will see the launch of the Gleeds Foundation. This initiative, spearheaded by CEO Graham Harle, will see the business strengthen its social impact and strategic relationships with the charity and volunteering sector.
“I am immensely proud of the knowledge and experience that our teams have, as well as the value they add to our client's projects and our planet”.
Graham Harle, CEO, Gleeds
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