Youth homelessness rarely makes headlines, but partners like Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) help make sure it isn’t ignored.
For 4 years, they’ve stood behind LandAid, and their support has grown into one of the most consistent partnerships on our calendar.
Hosting the London SleepOut means opening their venue and covering costs that LandAid would otherwise have to find elsewhere, worth thousands of pounds a year. That’s money that stays in the places it matters most: funding safe accommodation, education support and routes into employment for young people experiencing homelessness.
Supporting LandAid aligns with URW’s Better Places agenda and commitment to creating positive social impact in the communities where it operates. By supporting young people experiencing homelessness, URW is helping to build stronger, more inclusive communities while contributing to better outcomes in housing, education and employment for those who need it most.
The work LandAid does to support young people experiencing homelessness is incredibly important, and we're proud to have supported the charity over many years. By hosting events such as SleepOut at Westfield London and supporting fundraising initiatives throughout the year, we're able to contribute in a practical way and help LandAid maximise the impact of the funds it raises. It's a partnership we value greatly, and we're delighted to continue supporting the life-changing work LandAid delivers for young people across the UK.Andrew Phillis, Retail Portfolio Director UK at URW.
URW’s relationship with SleepOut began in 2023, when 4 people from the business took part. The following year, that number rose sharply to 38, a jump that meant a much larger part of their workforce giving up a warm bed for a night to help raise funds and understanding for youth homelessness.
Since then, participant numbers have varied, as they do for any partner across several years of the same event. What hasn’t varied is URW’s role behind the scenes. For the last 3 years, they’ve hosted SleepOut at Westfield London, providing the venue that makes the whole night possible and covering costs LandAid would otherwise need to find elsewhere.
Their support hasn’t stopped at one event a year. When LandAid ran its first ever LandAid Trek, URW sent a team of 4 to take part, joining property sector colleagues on a route that tested more than most people expect from a fundraising challenge.
A table is already booked for this year’s Gala Dinner, meaning URW’s name will appear across 3 different points in LandAid’s calendar this year alone.
URW’s support makes a real difference. By hosting SleepOut year after year, they help us keep costs down and ensure more of the money raised can go directly towards creating safe and secure futures for young people experiencing homelessness. Their commitment across SleepOut, the LandAid Trek and our Gala Dinner shows what a meaningful partnership looks like: consistent, generous and ready to step up when it matters most.James Breen, Head of Events at LandAid.
Every part of URW’s involvement adds up to something beyond an event itself. A hosted venue means funds raised on the night go further, reaching young people who need somewhere safe to live rather than being spent on logistics. A team taking on the LandAid Trek brings in fresh supporters and raises awareness among people who might not otherwise encounter LandAid’s work. And a partner who returns year after year gives LandAid something a single donation cannot: the ability to plan ahead, knowing the support will still be there next year.
For the young people LandAid works with, that consistency translates into safe accommodation, education support and a genuine route into employment, the practical building blocks of a life free from homelessness.
Can your business step up and support in the same way?
