Involving the Community
It’s important to us that people feel part of what is being created on our developments and proud of it. We want our community to share our vision and enthusiasm, and have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, be engaged and involved. Giving people an opportunity to shape the places they live and work means that we can create places that work for everyone.
In 2019 we once again opened our doors for Open City’s Open House, providing free tours of the Crossrail Place Roof Garden and our flagship building One Canada Square. Visitors were given the opportunity to tour our marketing suite, see models of Canary Wharf Group’s current and future developments, and visit Level39 to catch a glimpse of the high-energy tech hub.
We also participated in Build UK’s Open Doors, welcoming local people onto our Wood Wharf, Newfoundland and Southbank Place construction sites. This event gives visitors an opportunity to see behind the scenes on a working construction site, asking questions and learning about the project first-hand from the project team. Canary Wharf Contractors staff donated their time to lead tours, answer questions and share their knowledge with visitors and community members.
Growing Together
This year we partnered with the Isle of Dogs and District Allotment Society to create our very own allotment in the Crossrail Place Roof Garden. The allotment, designed and managed by the society’s members and volunteers who are waiting for their own permanent plot, is now home to a range of fresh produce including tomatoes, chillies, herbs and strawberries. The produce is then harvested and donated to the Mudchute Kitchen on the Isle of Dogs. The project is a great way to celebrate urban growing and highlight to people what can be done in unlikely environments.
Recognising the Community
In November 2019, we recognised nine individuals who demonstrated outstanding contribution to their communities at our sixth annual Community Champions Awards. This year’s awards recognised incredible work, ranging from leadership of local youth clubs, a project seeking to develop a film school for people under-represented in the industry, an organisation working to preserve the heritage of the Isle of Dogs, and other community groups and organisations. Each award recipient received a framed certificate and £250 to donate to a community organisation of their choice.
£23m
donated in financial, in-kind and volunteering support to the local community in the last 10 years