L&Q partnerships pay off: Almost £1,700 raised for Bexley Age UK  

Through our Foundation, we supported Age UK Bexley with fundraising on a sunny day in late August.

The grounds of Frognal House, a Jacobean Mansion in Bexley, south east London, provided a stunning backdrop to the summer fun event that raised almost £1,700.

Foundation colleagues attended with representatives from two of L&Q’s partners, Wates and Dao Lu Tai Chi school. Both organisations have been working with L&Q in the borough already this year. Wates has been running digital inclusion sessions to help older residents connect with friends and family, and Dao Lu is holding Tai Chi classes to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

The fundraising event proved popular, with over 120 local people turning up, including residents of L&Q Living’s sheltered housing scheme in Bexley. They enjoyed live performances, market stalls, Tai Chi, raffles and prizes, rounded off with a speech by the local Mayor. The day was a great example of the benefits of working in partnership with local partners alongside Wates, one of L&Q’s Major Works Investment Programme contractors. The Wates team contributed a financial donation to help buy items for the event and volunteered their time to help out.

A total £1,693.38 was raised for Age UK Bexley, including a generous donation made by the Rotary Club of Sidcup. 

Matt Corbett, Director of the L&Q Foundation, said:

“Days like this help to address isolation among older people by bringing them together and encouraging them to make new friends. Wates and the team at our sheltered housing scheme at Bexley have already made substantial progress by organising regular social events and befriending services.

“We’ve established a network of volunteers who visit older residents to provide companionship, check on their wellbeing and offer support during organised trips to the coast. The positive impact of these community initiatives on the lives of older residents is palpable.”

Dovile Catterick, Social Value Manager at Wates, said:

“Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the fantastic event on Friday. It was a great experience, and we truly appreciate the opportunity.”

Cindy Mac, Fundraising Executive at Age UK Bexley, said:

"The success of this event would not have been possible without your support, so we thank you all sincerely. We look forward to working in partnership with you again."

This was also used as an opportunity to ask residents about the support services and free or low-cost community activities they would like to access in their area. This is part of the Foundation’s place-based approach to delivering targeted support and health and wellbeing benefits for local residents. A recent survey of Bexley residents found that older people enjoy getting together at events like the summer fun day as well as opportunities to get fit by going on organised, gentle walks.