The housing association’s charitable foundation gets cash injection alongside new training academy

Social housing provider L&Q is relaunching its charitable foundation offering residents support, advice and training opportunities.

The Foundation will invest £250m into supporting its social housing tenants and the wider communities in which it works. The relaunch comes after its merger with East Thames.

David Montague, Chief Executive of L&Q, said: “The L&Q Foundation and the Academy will see us broaden and grow our investment in communities to match our increased ambition.  At L&Q it is our core belief that no one should be denied the opportunity to fulfil their potential because of where they live, which is why we have dedicated £250m into helping those within our communities, giving them the chance to achieve that potential and thrive.”

Alongside the Foundation a brand new L&Q training academy is being launched, offering apprenticeships, graduate programmes and staff development.

The L&Q Foundation was set up in 2011 bringing together the housing association’s social and economic programmes in one place.

Over the next three years, the Foundation will oversee programmes to support tenants and their families, offering employment and tenancy support services and developing aspirational and educational opportunities.

As well as new projects and forging new partnerships, the Foundation will scale up existing initiatives and invest in grass-roots projects through Place Maker 2020, a new pan-London fund launching in spring.

Through the Academy and Foundation, L&Q’s combined employment support offer aims to get 1,000 residents a year into work or better work, with a specific focus on addressing skills shortages.

Speaking at the launch event at the House of Commons, Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham, Deptford, said: “Housing associations have such a vital role to play in building more affordable homes, but they also play a huge part in helping create a sense of community in our neighbourhoods. Through the L&Q Foundation residents can benefit from financial advice, advice with benefits as well as opportunities in education and training and these services make such a difference to people, giving them the best chance of success.

Matt Corbett, Director of the L&Q Foundation, said: “Our plans for the Foundation and Academy are ambitious and our commitment to them is long term. For us it is crucial that we remain rooted and connected to the people and communities we serve. We want to create a social legacy that mirrors that of our building programme in ambition and we hope to do this in partnership with local groups, organisations and charities who share our passion and commitment to changing lives and enhancing communities.”