LSL Communities Forum News
Period Poverty Awareness
The LSL Communities Forum has launched its Autumn campaign which, this year, focuses on raising awareness of period poverty – which is the lack of access to sanitary products and the lack of knowledge of menstruation.
It follows an impassioned presentation by Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed at a recent internal conference (with LSL’s Inclusion & Diversity Forum) when she told us of her distressing journey to become the Founder of Gift Wellness Limited (*) and highlighted the significant challenges that many women face because of period poverty.
In response the Communities Forum is taking steps to raise awareness of these challenges. This includes making period products (bought from Gift Wellness) available in its offices and promoting initiatives that are being led by the Gift Wellness Foundation(*) including Period Angels and the Period Angels App. The Forum is also joining forces with LSL’s Inclusion & Diversity Forum to compete in a virtual race which aims to raise awareness of the campaign and also raise funds for charity. Donations are welcome here.
It’s yet another great forum campaign that we have organised to help our colleagues to support communities and charities that mean a lot to them - as we’ve set out to do in our Living Responsibly Report.
#lslcommunities #lsli&dforum #everymilecounts #periodpovertyawareness
(*)Gift Wellness Limited manufactures and distributes ‘Gift’ natural sanitary products. After donating millions of sanitary pads to women in crisis, the Gift Wellness Foundation was created to expand this charity work. The Foundation’s mission is to provide menstrual products to women and girls who can’t afford them or can’t access them, both in the UK and globally. They state that Period Poverty affects one in ten women across the UK and, because of the cost-of-living crisis, is considered a health and gender-based discrimination, with many struggling to afford the essential healthcare products they need.
Food for Thought Campaign
The Communities Forum is providing colleagues with the opportunity to give back to their local communities by organising another seasonal campaign; this time a Food for Thought campaign.
Colleagues are being encouraged to donate food and/or non-perishable items to local food banks - via donation points that the Forum has set up in key sites across the Group - or direct if they prefer this.
The Forum’s usual autumn food bank campaign was welcomed yet, knowing the desperate demand for food banks support during the summer months, the Forum decided to move the campaign to summer – although there will be repeated calls for support throughout the year.
#LSLCOMMUNITIES #FOODFORTHOUGHT
Joint Forums Conference
Members of the Communities Forum and Inclusion & Diversity Forum came together for their latest joint conference. Again it was a great opportunity to listen and learn from key speakers as well as discuss how the forums can contribute to making LSL a better place to work.
Both Forum Chairs, Michael Hole (for the Communities Forum) and Elaenore Fom (for the I&D Forum), gave informed presentations about forum activities. There was also mention of the growing appreciation for the forums and the collaboration that’s being created by them across the Group.
We were also delighted to welcome guest speakers, Mike Harvey, Head of Responsible Business for Pinsent Masons and Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed, Founder of The Gift Wellness Foundation to the event and thank them both for giving thought provoking presentations to our Forum members. It was a great event and one we hope to repeat in the months ahead
Communities Day Initiative
Following the Communities Forum’s successful pilot and subsequent launch of a ‘Communities Day’ initiative within our Financial Services Division, we’re delighted that the initiative is being rolled out across other areas of the Group.
A Communities Day enables a colleague to request up to a day or ½ day off from normal duties to participate in a local community initiative, either individually or with colleagues, and its already proving very popular.
The Forum has been inundated with applications to take a Communities Day and there’s been some great examples of local volunteering and support being offered for the benefit of our local communities. As we set out in our Living Responsibly Report (*), we want to have a positive and lasting impact on the communities we work in and this is just one initiative that enables us to do this.
(*) Our Group sustainability strategy
Spring Clean Week 2024
The Communities Forum once again organised its annual Spring Clean Week in March except, this year, there were two parts to it.
Colleagues were invited, as usual, to help clean-up their local communities with a litter pick yet also clear-out their homes of unwanted items to donate to local colleague swap shops or to charitable donations points.
The spring clean event proved very popular and offered the chance for teams to come together to support others – which they clearly enjoyed. And, bearing in mind the huge amount of litter collected, there’s no doubt they made a positive difference to many local communities.
#LSLCOMMUNITIES #LSLSPRINGCLEAN
The importance of CPR Training
In their quest to support others in their local communities (and beyond) the LSL Communities Forum has linked with the British Heart Foundation in promoting their online training on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; or CPR as most people know it.
The forum is encouraging LSL colleagues to take just 15 minutes to complete the training by accessing the QR Code provided or via the training that is now readily available on internal training platforms.
It’s easy to do and well worth the time as forum member Lucie Middleton, who is spearheading this initiative, explained:
“The training gives a real sense of the importance of CPR – and how easy it is to learn. It includes videos to watch (which feature case studies), a quiz, a simulated 999 call and even a digital training tool so, as colleagues practice giving chest pushes on a cushion or pillow, they can gain immediate feedback on their technique. All that is needed is your mobile phone"
It would be so easy to ignore this plea to take part, but we think it might be the best 15 minutes that colleagues – or anyone – could spend as it could, literally, help save a life. Many of us will witness a cardiac arrest in our lifetime. Be ready for that day. The training is available here
Winter Campaign: 31 Days of Goodwill
There was fantastic support for the Communities Forum’s 31 Days of Goodwill initiative, in December, when colleagues from across the Group made the extra effort to help others in our local communities. Some actively supported charities and appeals, others chose to give blood, Brave the Shave, treat others to lunch or fundraise for special causes – there were so many goodwill gestures – as can be seen on our special 31 Days of Goodwill page.
There was also great support for our Christmas Jumper Day, as part of our ‘31 Days’ initiative, which resulted in an LSL donation to Save the Children - reiterating again the benefit of ‘doing the right things.’
LSL Communities Forum leads further food bank campaigns
September saw the launch of the Communities Forum seasonal ‘Let’s Eat Together’ campaign to encourage donation to local food banks. It followed a similar campaign held over summer – which responded to increased demand for food banks during the summer school holiday period. Both campaigns led to donation points being set up in central office locations and literally hundreds of items being donated. And, there was a supplementary campaign (that ran at the same time) to donate coats and winter clothing items too – all of which supported our colleagues to connect with our communities again.
LSL colleagues taking part in our summer food bank campaign.
Summer Holiday Food Bank Campaign
We know that the school summer holiday period is typically the hardest for food banks, with a reduction in the number of donations and an increase in requests for their support.
That’s why our colleagues are taking part in a special summer campaign, organised by our Communities Forum, to gather non-perishable food and toiletries for their local food banks; helping our local communities, when they need it most.
#LSLCOMMUNITIES
Act of Kindness Week
Following its success last year, the LSL Communities Forum once again held its Act of Kindness Week in June and saw colleagues from across the Group showing just how considerate they are of the local communities in which they live and/or work.
There were many acts of kindness performed including colleagues giving blood, learning CPR, taking part in fundraising events, buying treats for others and assisting family members or neighbours - with great enthusiasm shown for the event. It once again supports our culture of doing the right things as we’ve set out to do in our Living Responsibly Report
#ActOfKindness #LSLCommunity
Spring Clean Week 2023: Litter Picking
The LSL Communities Forum encouraged colleagues to take part in its Spring Litter Picking Week. Starting on 20th March 2023 it proved a great opportunity for teams and individuals from across the Group to come together to support their local communities and, because the event ran across seven days, there was the chance to get friends and family involved to make it an even more inclusive and fun event. It’s all part of LSL’s aim to support colleague priorities and connect with our local communities. In total more than 103 bags of litter were collected, a great achievement by our teams.
Community Champion of the Year Award
Its congratulations to Thomas Morris, one of our estate agency brands, who has been successful in winning the Community Champion of the Year Award at the Negotiator Awards 2022.
The Awards, which are some of the most prized in the industry, recognise the significant effort and achievements of agents across the UK, with the Community Champion Award recognising those who support their local community both through charitable endeavours and by helping local organisations and people in need generally.
The Thomas Morris team, who have organised an array of activities and fund raising events to support their local communities throughout 2022, beat off tough competition from 26 other agents; leading to the proud moment when Simon Bradbury, MD of the agency, received the award from TV personality, Stephen Mangan, in front of a 960 guests at a special gala dinner.
Congratulations Simon and the Thomas Morris team – a well-deserved award.
L>R: Stephen Mangan, Comedian and TV Personality, Simon Bradbury, MD of Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings, Jonathan Stein, CEO of award sponsors Vaboo and Grant Leonard, Director of The Negotiator Awards.
Food Bank Week
Following the success of its Let’s Eat Together Initiative in 2021, the LSL Communities Forum are organising the event again this year; inviting colleagues, as well as their customers, family, friends and business associates, to donate food and essential items to food banks across the UK.
It’s part of LSL’s drive to be a more responsible employer, as highlighted in our Living Responsibly Report; Supporting Colleague Priorities and Connecting with our Local Communities.
#lslfoodbankweek #letseattogether
Fundraising Award Success
We’re pleased to announce that one of our estate agency brands, Thomas Morris, has been successful in winning three national awards in recognition of its significant fundraising achievements.
The Fundraising Champion Awards, which are organised by property industry charity, Agents Giving, resulted in Thomas Morris receiving the Best Community Fundraiser Award, the Outstanding Contribution Award (in acknowledgements of the fundraising efforts of colleague, Katy Poore) and the top team accolade, The Cecil Jackson Cole Award. All awards reflect the agency’s considerable efforts in making a difference in the communities in which it operates.
The awards were presented by TV personality, Jason Bradbury at a special event which brought together estate and letting agents from across the UK and also featured an Agents Do Strictly Ballroom Dance competition which featured Thomas Morris colleagues, Katy Poore and Manuela Daniels.
Further information about the Fundraising Champion Awards can be found here.
Fundraising Raffle
Colleagues within Reeds Rains, part of LSL, have for the fifth year running been supporting the grant-giving charity, Cash for Kids, to support disadvantaged children in the communities in which they work. There’s been a lots of fundraising taking place culminating in a special Cash for Kids fundraising Day. To support their efforts further they have an exciting raffle, with some great prizes on offer. If you’d like to enter and help Reeds Rains in supporting this worthwhile cause, simply visit the dedicated page here Tickets cost just £2 each.
The raffle closed on 30th June.
Act of Kindness Week
The Communities Forum is leading an LSL Act of Kindness Week during which colleagues are encouraged to ‘lend a hand’ in performing small Acts of Kindness to support their local communities and to demonstrates LSL’s commitment to making a positive contribution to society, as set out in our Living Responsibly report.
Acts of Kindness include volunteering to support local charities and good causes, helping vulnerable neighbours with shopping, visits and household chores and food donations in support of the homeless. It comes following the success of a similar one day event in 2021.
Spring Clean Week
The Communities Forums’ Spring Clean Week proved to be a huge success with colleagues from across the Group heading out to pick litter and, by doing so, showed their support for the local communities in which they live and work, and for our ongoing efforts to protect the environment.
Despite some ‘rubbish’ weather and, in some cases, quite challenging locations, colleagues proved determined to do their best, with at least 84 bags of rubbish collected over the week and recorded on the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ website. Such was its success that it’s likely to become an annual event.
LSL Communities Forum News
Period Poverty Awareness
The LSL Communities Forum has launched its Autumn campaign which, this year, focuses on raising awareness of period poverty – which is the lack of access to sanitary products and the lack of knowledge of menstruation.
It follows an impassioned presentation by Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed at a recent internal conference (with LSL’s Inclusion & Diversity Forum) when she told us of her distressing journey to become the Founder of Gift Wellness Limited (*) and highlighted the significant challenges that many women face because of period poverty.
In response the Communities Forum is taking steps to raise awareness of these challenges. This includes making period products (bought from Gift Wellness) available in its offices and promoting initiatives that are being led by the Gift Wellness Foundation(*) including Period Angels and the Period Angels App. The Forum is also joining forces with LSL’s Inclusion & Diversity Forum to compete in a virtual race which aims to raise awareness of the campaign and also raise funds for charity. Donations are welcome here.
It’s yet another great forum campaign that we have organised to help our colleagues to support communities and charities that mean a lot to them - as we’ve set out to do in our Living Responsibly Report.
#lslcommunities #lsli&dforum #everymilecounts #periodpovertyawareness
(*)Gift Wellness Limited manufactures and distributes ‘Gift’ natural sanitary products. After donating millions of sanitary pads to women in crisis, the Gift Wellness Foundation was created to expand this charity work. The Foundation’s mission is to provide menstrual products to women and girls who can’t afford them or can’t access them, both in the UK and globally. They state that Period Poverty affects one in ten women across the UK and, because of the cost-of-living crisis, is considered a health and gender-based discrimination, with many struggling to afford the essential healthcare products they need.
Food for Thought Campaign
The Communities Forum is providing colleagues with the opportunity to give back to their local communities by organising another seasonal campaign; this time a Food for Thought campaign.
Colleagues are being encouraged to donate food and/or non-perishable items to local food banks - via donation points that the Forum has set up in key sites across the Group - or direct if they prefer this.
The Forum’s usual autumn food bank campaign was welcomed yet, knowing the desperate demand for food banks support during the summer months, the Forum decided to move the campaign to summer – although there will be repeated calls for support throughout the year.
#LSLCOMMUNITIES #FOODFORTHOUGHT
Joint Forums Conference
Members of the Communities Forum and Inclusion & Diversity Forum came together for their latest joint conference. Again it was a great opportunity to listen and learn from key speakers as well as discuss how the forums can contribute to making LSL a better place to work.
Both Forum Chairs, Michael Hole (for the Communities Forum) and Elaenore Fom (for the I&D Forum), gave informed presentations about forum activities. There was also mention of the growing appreciation for the forums and the collaboration that’s being created by them across the Group.
We were also delighted to welcome guest speakers, Mike Harvey, Head of Responsible Business for Pinsent Masons and Dr Zareen Roohi Ahmed, Founder of The Gift Wellness Foundation to the event and thank them both for giving thought provoking presentations to our Forum members. It was a great event and one we hope to repeat in the months ahead
Communities Day Initiative
Following the Communities Forum’s successful pilot and subsequent launch of a ‘Communities Day’ initiative within our Financial Services Division, we’re delighted that the initiative is being rolled out across other areas of the Group.
A Communities Day enables a colleague to request up to a day or ½ day off from normal duties to participate in a local community initiative, either individually or with colleagues, and its already proving very popular.
The Forum has been inundated with applications to take a Communities Day and there’s been some great examples of local volunteering and support being offered for the benefit of our local communities. As we set out in our Living Responsibly Report (*), we want to have a positive and lasting impact on the communities we work in and this is just one initiative that enables us to do this.
(*) Our Group sustainability strategy
Spring Clean Week 2024
The Communities Forum once again organised its annual Spring Clean Week in March except, this year, there were two parts to it.
Colleagues were invited, as usual, to help clean-up their local communities with a litter pick yet also clear-out their homes of unwanted items to donate to local colleague swap shops or to charitable donations points.
The spring clean event proved very popular and offered the chance for teams to come together to support others – which they clearly enjoyed. And, bearing in mind the huge amount of litter collected, there’s no doubt they made a positive difference to many local communities.
#LSLCOMMUNITIES #LSLSPRINGCLEAN
The importance of CPR Training
In their quest to support others in their local communities (and beyond) the LSL Communities Forum has linked with the British Heart Foundation in promoting their online training on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; or CPR as most people know it.
The forum is encouraging LSL colleagues to take just 15 minutes to complete the training by accessing the QR Code provided or via the training that is now readily available on internal training platforms.
It’s easy to do and well worth the time as forum member Lucie Middleton, who is spearheading this initiative, explained:
“The training gives a real sense of the importance of CPR – and how easy it is to learn. It includes videos to watch (which feature case studies), a quiz, a simulated 999 call and even a digital training tool so, as colleagues practice giving chest pushes on a cushion or pillow, they can gain immediate feedback on their technique. All that is needed is your mobile phone"
It would be so easy to ignore this plea to take part, but we think it might be the best 15 minutes that colleagues – or anyone – could spend as it could, literally, help save a life. Many of us will witness a cardiac arrest in our lifetime. Be ready for that day. The training is available here
Winter Campaign: 31 Days of Goodwill
There was fantastic support for the Communities Forum’s 31 Days of Goodwill initiative, in December, when colleagues from across the Group made the extra effort to help others in our local communities. Some actively supported charities and appeals, others chose to give blood, Brave the Shave, treat others to lunch or fundraise for special causes – there were so many goodwill gestures – as can be seen on our special 31 Days of Goodwill page.
There was also great support for our Christmas Jumper Day, as part of our ‘31 Days’ initiative, which resulted in an LSL donation to Save the Children - reiterating again the benefit of ‘doing the right things.’
LSL Communities Forum leads further food bank campaigns
September saw the launch of the Communities Forum seasonal ‘Let’s Eat Together’ campaign to encourage donation to local food banks. It followed a similar campaign held over summer – which responded to increased demand for food banks during the summer school holiday period. Both campaigns led to donation points being set up in central office locations and literally hundreds of items being donated. And, there was a supplementary campaign (that ran at the same time) to donate coats and winter clothing items too – all of which supported our colleagues to connect with our communities again.
LSL colleagues taking part in our summer food bank campaign.
Summer Holiday Food Bank Campaign
We know that the school summer holiday period is typically the hardest for food banks, with a reduction in the number of donations and an increase in requests for their support.
That’s why our colleagues are taking part in a special summer campaign, organised by our Communities Forum, to gather non-perishable food and toiletries for their local food banks; helping our local communities, when they need it most.
#LSLCOMMUNITIES
Act of Kindness Week
Following its success last year, the LSL Communities Forum once again held its Act of Kindness Week in June and saw colleagues from across the Group showing just how considerate they are of the local communities in which they live and/or work.
There were many acts of kindness performed including colleagues giving blood, learning CPR, taking part in fundraising events, buying treats for others and assisting family members or neighbours - with great enthusiasm shown for the event. It once again supports our culture of doing the right things as we’ve set out to do in our Living Responsibly Report
#ActOfKindness #LSLCommunity
Spring Clean Week 2023: Litter Picking
The LSL Communities Forum encouraged colleagues to take part in its Spring Litter Picking Week. Starting on 20th March 2023 it proved a great opportunity for teams and individuals from across the Group to come together to support their local communities and, because the event ran across seven days, there was the chance to get friends and family involved to make it an even more inclusive and fun event. It’s all part of LSL’s aim to support colleague priorities and connect with our local communities. In total more than 103 bags of litter were collected, a great achievement by our teams.
Community Champion of the Year Award
Its congratulations to Thomas Morris, one of our estate agency brands, who has been successful in winning the Community Champion of the Year Award at the Negotiator Awards 2022.
The Awards, which are some of the most prized in the industry, recognise the significant effort and achievements of agents across the UK, with the Community Champion Award recognising those who support their local community both through charitable endeavours and by helping local organisations and people in need generally.
The Thomas Morris team, who have organised an array of activities and fund raising events to support their local communities throughout 2022, beat off tough competition from 26 other agents; leading to the proud moment when Simon Bradbury, MD of the agency, received the award from TV personality, Stephen Mangan, in front of a 960 guests at a special gala dinner.
Congratulations Simon and the Thomas Morris team – a well-deserved award.
L>R: Stephen Mangan, Comedian and TV Personality, Simon Bradbury, MD of Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings, Jonathan Stein, CEO of award sponsors Vaboo and Grant Leonard, Director of The Negotiator Awards.
Food Bank Week
Following the success of its Let’s Eat Together Initiative in 2021, the LSL Communities Forum are organising the event again this year; inviting colleagues, as well as their customers, family, friends and business associates, to donate food and essential items to food banks across the UK.
It’s part of LSL’s drive to be a more responsible employer, as highlighted in our Living Responsibly Report; Supporting Colleague Priorities and Connecting with our Local Communities.
#lslfoodbankweek #letseattogether
Fundraising Award Success
We’re pleased to announce that one of our estate agency brands, Thomas Morris, has been successful in winning three national awards in recognition of its significant fundraising achievements.
The Fundraising Champion Awards, which are organised by property industry charity, Agents Giving, resulted in Thomas Morris receiving the Best Community Fundraiser Award, the Outstanding Contribution Award (in acknowledgements of the fundraising efforts of colleague, Katy Poore) and the top team accolade, The Cecil Jackson Cole Award. All awards reflect the agency’s considerable efforts in making a difference in the communities in which it operates.
The awards were presented by TV personality, Jason Bradbury at a special event which brought together estate and letting agents from across the UK and also featured an Agents Do Strictly Ballroom Dance competition which featured Thomas Morris colleagues, Katy Poore and Manuela Daniels.
Further information about the Fundraising Champion Awards can be found here.
Fundraising Raffle
Colleagues within Reeds Rains, part of LSL, have for the fifth year running been supporting the grant-giving charity, Cash for Kids, to support disadvantaged children in the communities in which they work. There’s been a lots of fundraising taking place culminating in a special Cash for Kids fundraising Day. To support their efforts further they have an exciting raffle, with some great prizes on offer. If you’d like to enter and help Reeds Rains in supporting this worthwhile cause, simply visit the dedicated page here Tickets cost just £2 each.
The raffle closed on 30th June.
Act of Kindness Week
The Communities Forum is leading an LSL Act of Kindness Week during which colleagues are encouraged to ‘lend a hand’ in performing small Acts of Kindness to support their local communities and to demonstrates LSL’s commitment to making a positive contribution to society, as set out in our Living Responsibly report.
Acts of Kindness include volunteering to support local charities and good causes, helping vulnerable neighbours with shopping, visits and household chores and food donations in support of the homeless. It comes following the success of a similar one day event in 2021.
Spring Clean Week
The Communities Forums’ Spring Clean Week proved to be a huge success with colleagues from across the Group heading out to pick litter and, by doing so, showed their support for the local communities in which they live and work, and for our ongoing efforts to protect the environment.
Despite some ‘rubbish’ weather and, in some cases, quite challenging locations, colleagues proved determined to do their best, with at least 84 bags of rubbish collected over the week and recorded on the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ website. Such was its success that it’s likely to become an annual event.