Supporting our communities in the UK
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has engaged in a series of solidarity initiatives throughout the Group to support the communities in which we operate. We are dedicating our resources, assets and connections to serve our communities in the most efficient and helpful ways during these unique times.
Our London shopping centres have always played an important role within the local communities. Faced with new and unexpected challenges, our engagement is stronger than ever. We are forging many great partnerships, within our communities, with our retailers and with our onsite contractors, to face these shared challenges together.
PREVENT & FIGHT
Our first priority is to do everything in our power to fight against COVID-19 and help stop the outbreak.
We contribute to the collective effort by giving our full support to the National Health Service (NHS) and all those who are putting themselves in harm’s way each day to tackle the crisis. Many our UK employees have registered for the official NHS (National Health Service) volunteering programme, and many are participating in virtual charity fundraising activities to support several good causes. We are also in conversations with the Government and NHS on additional ways we can support by offering space, service yards, logistical support and employee time.
At Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, we are partnering with the media company Ocean to display content to show our support for the NHS. The Our Local Heroes campaign focusses on the key workers that are looking after us and keeping cities moving and working. Brightening the centres during these difficult times, the Rainbow Trail features “thank you” rainbows drawn by children of Ocean staff. Messages of support are also in place on external billboards outside our centres.
Both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City have joined several major London landmarks and buildings and turn blue every Thursday evening to celebrate the Clap for NHS. The centres are also offering free parking to NHS staff and employees from our essential stores, and Westfield London provided Queen Charlotte’s hospital with furniture to create dedicated, comfortable break out areas for NHS employees on duty.
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES
In these uncertain times, some are more exposed than others. True to our longstanding commitment to support the communities in which we operate, our teams are addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Since the start of the crisis, we have been engaging with local authorities and organisations to support them through their community programmes. Our centre teams at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City are working closely with our grocery stores to support the delivery of dedicated services for the most vulnerable people from our communities and ensure they can access the essential goods they need.
Westfield London partnered with Hammersmith & Fulham council to purchase essential supplies from our retailers for vulnerable residents including the elderly, sick, high risk families and homeless. So far, three batches have been issued out with a total of 480 care packages and we will continue to distribute more packages over the coming weeks.
Westfield Stratford City is partnering with Age UK East London on their telephone “Befriending” service providing older people who are isolated with regular social contact. Employees will volunteer time each week to speak to local people who have signed up to the service. The centre has also made a financial donation to the charity to secure essential food for 500 residents.
We have also made financial donations to two charities located in the London Borough of Newham:
To celebrate Easter, Westfield Stratford City partnered with Waitrose to donate meals for 200 elderly people supported by Age UK East London; 87 mums and their 140 children supported by The Magpie Project and 140 residents supported by homeless charity Caritas Anchor House. In addition to pasta, noodles, bread, fruits and vegetables, the food donations included Easter eggs for all.
All these solidarity initiatives are in line with the Group’s purpose, Reinvent Being Together, which Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield now embodies in news ways by acting in support of local communities through initiatives adapted to the current needs.
Our London shopping centres have always played an important role within the local communities. Faced with new and unexpected challenges, our engagement is stronger than ever. We are forging many great partnerships, within our communities, with our retailers and with our onsite contractors, to face these shared challenges together.
PREVENT & FIGHT
Our first priority is to do everything in our power to fight against COVID-19 and help stop the outbreak.
We contribute to the collective effort by giving our full support to the National Health Service (NHS) and all those who are putting themselves in harm’s way each day to tackle the crisis. Many our UK employees have registered for the official NHS (National Health Service) volunteering programme, and many are participating in virtual charity fundraising activities to support several good causes. We are also in conversations with the Government and NHS on additional ways we can support by offering space, service yards, logistical support and employee time.
At Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, we are partnering with the media company Ocean to display content to show our support for the NHS. The Our Local Heroes campaign focusses on the key workers that are looking after us and keeping cities moving and working. Brightening the centres during these difficult times, the Rainbow Trail features “thank you” rainbows drawn by children of Ocean staff. Messages of support are also in place on external billboards outside our centres.
Both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City have joined several major London landmarks and buildings and turn blue every Thursday evening to celebrate the Clap for NHS. The centres are also offering free parking to NHS staff and employees from our essential stores, and Westfield London provided Queen Charlotte’s hospital with furniture to create dedicated, comfortable break out areas for NHS employees on duty.
SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES
In these uncertain times, some are more exposed than others. True to our longstanding commitment to support the communities in which we operate, our teams are addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Since the start of the crisis, we have been engaging with local authorities and organisations to support them through their community programmes. Our centre teams at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City are working closely with our grocery stores to support the delivery of dedicated services for the most vulnerable people from our communities and ensure they can access the essential goods they need.
Westfield London partnered with Hammersmith & Fulham council to purchase essential supplies from our retailers for vulnerable residents including the elderly, sick, high risk families and homeless. So far, three batches have been issued out with a total of 480 care packages and we will continue to distribute more packages over the coming weeks.
Westfield Stratford City is partnering with Age UK East London on their telephone “Befriending” service providing older people who are isolated with regular social contact. Employees will volunteer time each week to speak to local people who have signed up to the service. The centre has also made a financial donation to the charity to secure essential food for 500 residents.
We have also made financial donations to two charities located in the London Borough of Newham:
- The Magpie Project, a charity that provides a safe and fun place for mums and under-fives suffering in temporary or insecure accommodation. This donation will cover short-term emergency supplies of food, baby and sanitation products.
- Caritas Anchor House, a homeless charity that provides residential care for up to 250 residents a year and currently has approximately 140 residents. This donation will cover cost of vital and urgent cleaning products and protective equipment including safety kits.
To celebrate Easter, Westfield Stratford City partnered with Waitrose to donate meals for 200 elderly people supported by Age UK East London; 87 mums and their 140 children supported by The Magpie Project and 140 residents supported by homeless charity Caritas Anchor House. In addition to pasta, noodles, bread, fruits and vegetables, the food donations included Easter eggs for all.
All these solidarity initiatives are in line with the Group’s purpose, Reinvent Being Together, which Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield now embodies in news ways by acting in support of local communities through initiatives adapted to the current needs.
