Leading investor-developer-operator Avanton has launched a new Avanton Supports Local Londoners 2022 charity initiative, helping their employees volunteer directly with local charities across the capital, following a successful ‘Charity Month’ trial which saw all 13 employees volunteer for a combined near-100 hours across the Capital.

Throughout the trial month, Avanton’s employees each donated their time to help five chosen charities; helping to improve community space at Vauxhall City Farm; sorting and boxing books for children with Children’s Book Project; workshopping with the team to help young people promote peace at Fight for Peace; preparing nutritious meals for those in need at FoodCycle and Food For All. The charities are based in Vauxhall, Chelsea, North Woolwich, Hackney and Holborn respectively, helping Avanton connect with a range of neighbourhoods and reach those in need across London.

The employees volunteered during work days with Avanton facilitating this, with no deductions from staff holidays or salary. The trial Charity Month proved very popular with Avanton’s team and it is now set to become an annual event, with a Charity Season to be chosen rather than one month allowing for greater flexibility with time.

In 2021, Avanton and its affiliated companies donated £30,000 towards supporting local London charities. As part of this Avanton fully-funded a vital summer school at New Cross Gate, helping 64 children benefit from engaging activities and learning fun new skills whilst providing much needed childcare for local families. In 2022, Avanton is looking to increase their charity efforts as the company and team grows.

Luka Kelman, Operations Director at Avanton says: “Avanton is driven by passionate people and as a team we really wanted to step up our charitable efforts. The idea to host a trial charity month proved a hit, our team was able to volunteer their time with local charities and meet some of the people really benefitting from these great organisations. We are looking forward to committing more time as a company this year and expanding our charitable efforts to help our local neighbourhoods.”

With Vauxhall City Farm, seven Avanton team members spent the day at the urban farm, which helps to connect local children with their environment, promote community cohesion and boosting emotional and physical wellbeing.

At Children’s Book Project, four team members helped to sort, curate and pack boxes of books for sending to disadvantaged children across London. Having greater access to books has been proven to help children’s progression through education, language development and mental health with the charity providing books to over 230 institutions between 2020-21.

At Fight For Peace, the entire team spent the day working with the charity’s volunteers to workshop with young students, discussing life paths, and attending a boxing training session. The charity is dedicated to helping young students reach their full potential and break down barriers with education and employment, and to prevent violence in focus communities. With FoodCycle and Food For All, team members worked to prepare healthy nutritious meals for those in need, saving surplus food from wastage.

Avanton is a leading London developer with a flagship scheme in Battersea, called Coda, and pipeline sites along Old Kent Road set to deliver a new neighbourhood of homes and amenities.