Our recent ESG roundtable series has facilitated a new project among our clients to benefit local communities. The inaugural roundtable connected the charity Oasis and The University of Law, resulting in industrial kitchen equipment being donated to help feed families in the challenging winter months.
We developed the roundtable series to connect clients across our portfolio to discuss their social value delivery and how they can collectively support one another. The event series allows clients to develop a sense of community, discuss new approaches to meet ESG goals, and establish connections for innovative solutions.
Oasis works in communities affected by poverty and inequality, with a mission to transform them into safe, healthy places where everyone is included and able to reach their full potential in life. It does this in a joined-up way to create change – through education, housing, justice, health, youth, and family support, with people of all ages and all situations.
As part of this, ‘Living Spaces’ were launched in 2022 and serve as open inclusive spaces for people to find comfort, warmth and food in the harsh winter months. It currently runs 39 open access spaces, all requiring a range of equipment – from soft furnishings and washing machines to kitchen equipment.
The University of Law is a specialist provider of legal education that operates 17 campuses across the UK. It had a surplus of kitchen equipment when closing its Guildford site and agreed to fund the transfer of its industrial kitchen equipment to Oasis for two of its London Living Rooms. As a result, the equipment was stopped from going to landfill and will now help Oasis feed two communities in the winter.
Our Churchill Group colleagues have also volunteered at one of Oasis’ community kitchens.
Gary Binder, our national relationship director, said: “All of our clients have ambitious goals and directives, and the ESG roundtables allow us to come together and align those visions for the greater good. Oasis and the University of Law’s partnership is testament to how our ESG roundtables can drive change.”
Diana Steele, head of fundraising at Oasis, said: “We want to transform the lives of children, young people and their families, and Churchill Group’s ESG roundtable let us workshop new ideas to do just that. Our Living Rooms provide a haven for vulnerable communities and the University of Law’s help means that more people can access the help they need this winter.”
Praf Lafwa, head of procurement at The University of Law, said: “Oasis does incredible work to support disadvantaged people, and we are thankful to Churchill Group for giving us the platform to work with them. Partnerships with organisations like Oasis help us reduce our waste while supporting local communities and our ESG commitment.”