SHAFTESBURY PARTNERS WITH 2-3 DEGREES TO INSPIRE LOCAL YOUTH

 

Shaftesbury has announced a new partnership with 2-3 Degrees to help give local young people an entry point to the property industry. The Shaftesbury Property Programme will offer up to 20 places to 15-21-year-olds to take part in a hands-on learning experience that will see them taken through a series of workshops delving into the various elements of the commercial property market.

The series of sessions will involve the groups working together to activate a retail unit, developing a theoretical plan considering all aspects from property management to marketing, implementing what they learn in each workshop. Employees from across the company’s Property, Marketing, Finance and Sustainability teams will work with the group, as well as introducing agency and contractor partners, providing insights and connections with a breadth of industry experts.

2-3 Degrees is a social enterprise that equips young people with personal development skills, helping prepare them for the professional world. The partnership is the latest example of Shaftesbury’s dedication to building sustainable communities throughout the local area and its villages. Shaftesbury is already a keen supporter of local youth projects, through its Community Investment Committee. The committee’s purpose is to support young people in the communities of Westminster and Camden, including sponsoring scholarships at the University of Westminster.  Over £1.3m in funding has been donated to community groups and initiatives over the past 3 years, this is in addition to the provision of in-kind space.

Matt Smith, Head of Sustainability at Shaftesbury commented: “We are thrilled to partner with 2-3 Degrees to launch our Shaftesbury Property Programme. Not only is this an opportunity for local young people to see what a career in property might be like, but it’s an excellent learning opportunity for some of the team here too.

“We’ve worked with 2-3 Degrees to create sessions that will help young people build confidence, self esteem and communication skills in a new environment. To grow the communities around us requires more than just investment. Hopefully sessions like these show our commitment to the future of our local community and inspire the next generation of the property professionals”.

Carl Konadu, CEO & Co-Founder of 2-3 Degrees commented: “Our goal is to help prepare local young people to be the best they can be. We aim to provide exposure to all sorts of different professions and opportunities so our members can go on to pursue whatever they choose, and this is a fantastic opportunity for those who want to explore a career in property. We’re grateful to Shaftesbury for investing time in these sessions and are excited to see the outcomes of the workshop.”

Last year Shaftesbury helped fund 24 local charitable projects and contributed to 38 schemes or organisations, 20 of which specifically support young people.

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Notes to Editors 

About Shaftesbury Property Programme

There are over 70,000 young people in Westminster, and of these young people the following is true, based on the 2020/21 Our City, Our Future report:

●        More than 3 in 4 felt that mental health issues were common amongst their peers.

●        44% expressed that Covid-19 had a significant impact on their plans for the next 6-12 months.

●        26% of young people admit they feel “unable to cope with life” since the start of the pandemic, increasing to 40% among those not in work, education, or training.

This, and other data and research, contributes to our clear understanding that young people in Westminster must be supported to build their confidence, self-esteem, and prospects for the future. This programme will seek to serve what we call “the forgotten middle”: those who are often overlooked by the education system, who might not be at the top of their class but might also not stand out as being badly behaved, yet with a significant enough investment of time, support and programmes like this these young people feel seen and empowered to become the best version of themselves. Our programmes use activity-based learning to engage and inspire young people to build the skills and confidence necessary to take up the opportunities that come their way. The Shaftesbury Property Programme will help them build these skills whilst also expanding their cultural and social capital by engaging with environments, people and topics that they wouldn’t usually engage with as underrepresented young people.

The programme will take the young people on a journey of 4 workshops covering themes such as Placemaking, Marketing and Sustainability. They will work closely with the Shaftesbury team and their partners and get a real insight into working in this sector. By the end of the programme the young people will have:

 

●        Increased confidence and skills

●        Built connections and community

●        Access to work experience

●        Increased sector awareness

Find out more about the programme eventbrite

 

About Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury owns and manages a 16 acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End.  The portfolio comprises of restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to apartments and offices in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, it also includes substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia.

We focus on the sustainable re-use of existing buildings and aim to minimise the environmental impact of our operations across the business.

We are committed to engaging and working with the community in which we operate and therefore our Community Investment Programme’s aim is to support young people and our communities in Westminster and Camden. We align our activities and support with organisations which are active in the West End, including those which support the arts, community groups, schools and charities, and those which focus on local social issues and environmental challenges.

@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk

 

About 2-3 Degrees

2-3 Degrees is a social enterprise that aims to inspire and equip young people with the personal development skills they need to become the best versions of themselves. They deliver fun, engaging, and dynamic workshops and programmes for young people aged 14-25 that focus on the themes of confidence, self-esteem, and employability. Since launching 2006, they have worked with over 6,000 young people across various sectors throughout the UK.