Community
Caring about
community is key.
At Soho Estates, we focus on supporting charities and projects in the local area, tackling issues affecting the communities within Soho. As well as charitable giving, we donate space in vacant units for non-profit and community organisations and start-ups. They contribute to the energy and creative spirit of the neighbourhood and provide space and opportunity for those who may otherwise be unable to afford to operate in the area. We also actively support special events, festivals, and markets.
The Caedmon Company
Hero’s Journey, 1 Year Partnership -
The children who will take part in our Hero’s Journey programmes have been identified as socially disadvantaged and may also have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The Hero’s Journey is an innovative and aspirational arts- based learning programme that uses the art of storytelling to help children learn new personal and interpersonal skills that improve well-being via energising sessions of drama, creative writing, and performance in aspirational settings. These skills include cultivating positive and healthy relationships, safety and trust, personal growth and achievement, self belief and resilience.
West End Community Trust
“Connecting and empowering the West End Community”
They have four strategic goals:
- Enhance community cohesion across all generations
and cultures in the West End.
- Ensure residents of the West End are healthier and happier.
- Ensure every resident eats better for less and knows their entitlements.
- To raise enough funds to ensure we are able to achieve our objectives.
- Annual event sponsorship
Young Westminster Foundation
Mastering My Future, 3 Year Partnership -
This programme aims to deliver a series of School Assemblies and Workshops, each year, to inspire and engage with young people. The workshops are designed to support young people with their personal development skills, and the workshops are hosted with local businesses, to immerse young people in the working environment and provide them access to the employees who share their career journey
and offer business related activities.
Terrence Higgins Trust
3 Year Partnership -
Soho Estates have supported THT in multiple programmes of support, with the most current innovative programme targeting one of the most at risk communities in the LGBT+ community: chemsex users. We are proud of our long-standing partnership, spanning more than a decade. Health promotion and harm reduction interventions in night clubs and sex on premises venues are proven to reduce high risk behaviours and enable nightlife businesses to signal a commitment to creating a safe
and welcoming environment.
Story Of Christmas Appeal
Founded in 1978, The Story of Christmas is an annual Christmas charity event which is strongly supported by the property and construction industries. The event raises funds to support a broad and diverse range of charitable projects, benefitting the homeless and disadvantaged children.
Queer Frontiers
Annually donate space in Walkers court for their event Queer Frontiers is an annual charity exhibition run by ‘artiq’, that brings together extraordinary artistic talent to raise funds for charities with causes close to the LGBTQ+ community.
Current programme of support
The Heart of London Business Alliance
Soho Neighborhood Forum
Soho Business Alliance
Westminster Property Association
The Soho neighbourhood
Soho Estates is proudly represented and actively engaged in numerous committees and organisations dedicated to promoting and developing the property industry, our local community, and the environment. Through these collaborations, Soho Estates plays a vital role in preserving the rich heritage of Soho while driving forward innovation and sustainability
in urban development.
Soho Al Fresco initiative
In 2020, Soho Estates initiated the Soho Al Fresco movement to help hospitality businesses reopen safely after COVID-19 restrictions. Due to the small and narrow premises in Soho, maintaining social distancing indoors was impractical. To address this, Soho's streets were pedestrianised daily from 5-11pm, allowing outdoor seating for bars and restaurants. This initiative enabled businesses to generate revenue while ensuring social distancing. Supported by over 5,000 petition signatures, the project was a success, with 90% of hospitality businesses reopening and saving approximately 2,000 jobs. This collaborative effort led to the creation of the Soho Business Alliance, providing a unified voice for all businesses in Soho.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
‘Building Brighter Futures in the Soho Radius’ – This programme gives young people, particularly those facing disadvantage, the opportunity to start their DofE Award in the area. This boosts vital non-academic skills such as confidence, team-working, and a sense of community.
Soho Parish School
Teacher-led interventions’ – Soho Parish School skills which give pupils the best possibilities for future economic stability. All pupils benefit, but pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly targeted.
Centrepoint
‘Healthy Living Advisor’ –
This programme helps homeless young people
improve their mental and physical health.
Terrence Higgins Trust
‘Soho MSM Outreach Programme’ – THT provides a comprehensive community outreach service in Soho, both physically and digitally, which supports the sexual health of residents and people who use the area’s night time economy.
Theatres Trust
‘London Theatres Small Grant Scheme’ – This provides money to small theatres to aid with immediate repairs and improvements.
The Old Vic 12
Soho Estates has provided support for the ‘The Old Vic 12’ which aims to nurture and develop the next generation of theatre practitioners.
Creative Companies
We have actively encouraged creative companies to set up in our vacant properties on a pop up basis and these have included ‘You Me Bum Bum Train’, ‘Found 111’ and ‘Carnesky Cabaret School’.
The Heart of London Business Alliance
Soho Neighborhood Forum
Soho Business
Alliance
The West End Community Trust
The House of
St Barnabas
Duke of Edinburgh Award
‘Building Brighter Futures in the Soho Radius’ – This programme gives young people, particularly those facing disadvantage, the opportunity to start their DofE Award in the area. This boosts vital non-academic skills such as confidence, team-working, and a sense of community.
Soho Parish School
Teacher-led interventions’ – Soho Parish School skills which give pupils the best possibilities for future economic stability. All pupils benefit, but pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly targeted.
Centrepoint
‘Healthy Living Advisor’ –
This programme helps homeless young people
improve their mental and physical health.
Terrence Higgins Trust
‘Soho MSM Outreach Programme’ – THT provides a comprehensive community outreach service in Soho, both physically and digitally, which supports the sexual health of residents and people who use the area’s night time economy.
Theatres Trust
‘London Theatres Small Grant Scheme’ – This provides money to small theatres to aid with immediate repairs and improvements.
The Old Vic 12
Soho Estates has provided support for the ‘The Old Vic 12’ which aims to nurture and develop the next generation of theatre practitioners.
Creative Companies
We have actively encouraged creative companies to set up in our vacant properties on a pop up basis and these have included ‘You Me Bum Bum Train’, ‘Found 111’ and ‘Carnesky Cabaret School’.
The Heart of London Business Alliance
Soho Neighborhood Forum
Soho Business Alliance
The West End Community Trust
The House of
St Barnabas
Soho Estates have evolved from property managers to property developers. Our latest flagship development, Ilona Rose House has achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The project brief for the build of Ilona Rose House was to be as efficient and sustainable as possible. Energy-efficient design was used throughout.
There were a number of formal and informal sustainability targets and assessments considered which included Westminster’s own Plan, GLA’s London Plan, BREEAM, climate change, reduction carbon emissions, overheating & cooling and minimising water consumption.