In a record-breaking year, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) provider – Homes for Students – have raised £106,233 throughout 2022, supporting a range of causes. Taking part in various community activities, the Homes for Students teams helped raise funds whilst bolstering team spirit.
Embedded in the core value of ‘being a force for good’, teams from across the UK and Ireland showed their strong tradition of supporting both local and national charities – seizing every opportunity they could to raise funds.
Top three highlights of 2022
The Pack for Good campaign for the British Heart Foundation
Partnering with the British Heart Foundation on their annual Pack for Good campaign, colleagues at Homes for Students properties facilitated donations of unwanted items such as clothes, books, tech and furnishings from students.
“The Pack for Good campaign works well for Homes for Students on so many levels. Our teams love nothing more than organising a good deed to help local charities and were delighted that we partnered with an initiative that could help us do just that. Students were keen to see their pre-loved items reused responsibly, a positive habit which will hopefully stay with them long after they’ve graduated.”
Raising £78,570, the highest amount raised by any of the Pack for Good national partners, Homes for Students were also able to prevent unnecessary waste ending up in a landfill site. 628,362kg was diverted away from landfill – the equivalent of 105 elephants.
“We have been delighted with the response from our National Partnership with Homes for Students and their incredible support. Our shops rely on donations to continue raising money to fund lifesaving research. Thanks to the generous donations from the students and staff across Homes for Students properties we have been able to help our shops UK wide.”
Amanda Purkiss, University Account Manager, British Heart Foundation
Student Minds partnership
An official charity partner since 2021, Homes for Students raises money for Student Minds throughout the year. A range of creative activities include sponsored beard shave, charity car washes, scavenger hunts, raffles, sponsored bike-athons and beauty treatments and bake sales.
2022 also saw colleagues take part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, where they took on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in around 12 hours, spanning more than 24 miles of rural Yorkshire landscape and over 5,200 ft of mountainous ascent.
“We are so grateful that the team from Homes for Students chose to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks in support of Student Minds! The fantastic total they have raised will enable us to ensure more students are able to thrive at university.
“What we do wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters – on behalf of everyone at Student Minds, thank you.”
Kate Mitchell, Fundraising and Development Manager, Student Minds
The combined efforts of colleagues raised £22,000 for this important mental health charity that provides a 24/7 service to students across the UK. Student Minds empowers students and the wider university community to look after their own mental health and support change where needed.
“I am thrilled with the amount we handed over to Student Minds last year. Student wellbeing is something we’ve made a priority at Homes for Students, and we are passionate about the excellent work Student Minds does for all young people. I would like to thank all of the team, our clients and our sponsors who have been so generous with their donations.”
Jon Badge, Operations Director, Homes for Students
Christmas volunteering and food hamper appeal for KIND
Since 1975, each year the Liverpool-based charity KIND delivers food parcels to those in need, in time for Christmas. In 2022, KIND’s Chief Executive aimed to deliver 1,500 hampers to struggling children and families across Merseyside.
Alongside money raised, Liverpool based colleagues also volunteered to support the three-day production of food hampers, spending two days at a warehouse in the city centre, unloading lorries, making boxes, arranging a production line, then filling each box full of essentials, food and festive treats for families. 1,500 boxes were delivered two days before Christmas.
Colleagues also hosted fund-raising sweepstakes, bake sales, Christmas bingo and a tombola. In Aberystwyth, colleagues volunteered at their local food surplus depot to help distribute food to households in need, and colleagues in Harrogate delivered a large donation of goods to the Trussell Trust food bank.
“It was fantastic to be able to play a very small part in the amazing work this charity does, and to spend time with the team who make this happen. I’m so proud to be a part of a business who actively encourages this sort of activity and delighted our team got so involved.”
Scott Lewis, Senior Director for Sales and Operations, Homes for Students
In 2023, Homes for Students is partnering with Student Minds for a third year – as well as with the National Three Peaks Challenge planned for June. The PBSA provider will also be supporting the British Heart Foundation, and is aiming to raise even more money than in 2022.
