This summer a community hub for older people, a foodbank and a local school were among the many causes supported by Berkeley, a British property developer renowned for building homes and neighbourhoods across London, the South-East of England and Birmingham. Staff at its West End Gate site have brought to life the company’s commitment to strengthening communities through a range of volunteering activities and donations over the last few months.
The team at West End Gate have committed to offering their help once a month to the Social Supermarket in Marylebone, which is open to the community every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30am. The supermarket offers local residents the chance to purchase affordable store cupboard essentials, while also providing vital social interaction for those who may be isolated.
Organisers at Social Supermarket welcome visitors to St Mary’s, Bryanston Square.
In addition to their volunteer efforts, Berkeley have donated towards the weekly supplies and general running of the Social Supermarket and to a local school to support improvements to its Special Education Needs (SEN) department and sensory garden.
In May this year the team also cooked and served-up a meal for residents at Penfold Community Hub, a service delivered within a local care home that provides residential accommodation for 54 people, many of whom have dementia, physical disabilities or additional care needs. The Hub runs a programme of activities for local older residents, some living with dementia in the community.
Berkeley employees prepare a meal for older people in the community.
The three-course vegetarian meal, which included a chickpea and red pepper salad, a choice of two savoury tarts accompanied by French beans, mangetout, potato salad and a serving of sticky toffee pudding, was well received by residents.
Service please! The main course is ready to enjoy.
Part of our social value offering is ensuring we are constantly building relationships with our local stakeholders. We look forward to continue working collaboratively with Marble Arch London BID in the future and seeing what amazing new projects are on the horizon.
Emily Sherley-Dale, Community Engagement Office, Berkeley
Marble Arch London BID facilitated these volunteer opportunities through our Community Programme, which helps business members engage in employee volunteering that addresses a variety of community needs.
If you are a Marble Arch BID member and would like to find out more about the wide range of employee volunteering opportunities, please contact Phil in the Marble Arch BID team.
