Keynsham-based estate agents and property group Andrews has unveiled the first home in its innovative 70th anniversary social housing fundraising initiative.
Andrews celebrated its 70th anniversary last year by raising £70,000 to kick-start the ambitious project, called Establish, which recognises the philanthropic origins of the business.
Working in collaboration with its principal shareholder Andrews Charitable Trust (ACT), it has bought and refurbished a house in the Lawrence Hill area of Bristol to support young people leaving the care system.
Speaking at the unveiling of the first property, Andrews CEO David Westgate said: “It was important to us that we celebrated a milestone as significant as our 70th anniversary in a meaningful way and to see this property now refurbished and ready to welcome its first residents makes all the hard work that went in to raising the funds worth it.”
The house is being leased to 1625 Independent People, the Bristol charity that provides 16-25 year olds with housing advice as well as life skills, confidence building, education, training and jobs.
1625 Independent People chief executive Dom Wood added: “When Andrews and ACT approached us to partner with them on this visionary project we knew that it would be something quite special and we’re delighted to be working with them moving forward to support these young people.
“The commitment that they’ve shown, not only through financing the refurbishment, but by pledging support over the longer term to the young people who live here demonstrates social philanthropy at work in a truly tangible way.”
Establish was created not only as the focal point of Andrews’ 70th anniversary fundraising efforts, but also as meaningful way to support young people leaving the care system to access support in finding work; provide them with secure accommodation and in doing so facilitate their independence and ultimately, reduce their overall reliance on state support.
The property is a five-storey building with a commercial ground floor and basement with three separate self-contained flats on the upper floors. The necessary refurbishment work was carried out by ex-offenders through the Bristol Together programme, which itself receives funding from the Andrews Charitable Trust.
The first residents will move in next week.
Pictured, from left: Bristol Together project manager Matt Gutteridge, 1625ip chief executive Dom Wood, Andrews Property Group head of leasehold services James Tarr, Andrews CEO David Westgate Group, Andrews Charitable Trust chairman Paul Heal, 1625 partnerships director ip Jamie Gill and Andrews Charitable Trust director Siân Edwards
