The Gleeds Foundation has announced two new charity partners for 2025, naming Scotty’s Little Soldiers and the Change Please Foundation as its primary beneficiaries for an initial period of 12 months. Both organisations will receive grant funding from the international property and construction consultancy’s charitable arm, sponsoring vital programmes of work in the UK.
Established in 2023 by the owners of the business and managed by a steering group made up of Gleeds employees from across the UK, the Gleeds Foundation has pledged a total of £100k in donations this year. The fund prioritises supporting charities with a demonstrable track record in creating opportunities for young people, as well as International Disaster Relief and match funding for employees.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers will be using its funding to deliver its ‘Strides’ programme – focusing on the education and development needs of bereaved Armed Forces children and young people. When a young person joins Scotty’s, they become a member and are supported by the charity until their 25th birthday.
Meanwhile, award-winning social enterprise Change Please Foundation will put its funding to use supporting its Barista training programme and the development of a new apprenticeship scheme. The organisation directs 100% of its profits into combating homelessness by training people to become baristas and providing them with everything they need to get back on track.
Graham Harle, Chief Executive Officer at Gleeds said of the new partnerships, “Since its inception two years ago, the Gleeds Foundation has made a lasting impact on hundreds of young people. We strongly believe that everyone deserves to be given the support they need to succeed, so I am delighted to be able to announce Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Change Please as partners for the coming year. Both organisations do incredible work, and it’s a privilege to be able to help them help others.”
Talking about being chosen as a partner, Nikki Scott, founder of Scotty’s Little Soldiers said, “We are so grateful to Gleeds for partnering with us. We already offer support to more than 740 children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, and this partnership means we can provide more outstanding development opportunities to them as we continue to build on our STRIDES programme.”
CEO Cemal Ezel OBE at Change Please added, “Contributions from companies like Gleeds help us to have a tangible impact and drive positive change for people experiencing homelessness. We truly appreciate their commitment and belief in our mission. Together, we’re making a difference, and I look forward to seeing what this year brings.”
The Gleeds Foundation has previously partnered with the Resurgo Trust and the Wilderness Foundation, providing upwards of £90,000 over a two-year period.
