Estate agency and property group Andrews has launched a major charitable scheme aimed at giving young care-leavers a roof over their heads and support in finding work or training.
The initiative for 16 to 25 year olds coincides with the start of the Keynsham-based group’s 70th anniversary celebrations and fits in its founding principles.
Cecil Jackson Cole, who launched the business, was known for his role in establishing charities such as Oxfam, Action Aid and Help the Aged. 
Under the Project 70 (P70) initiative Andrews and its principal shareholder Andrews Charitable Trust (ACT) will work in collaboration to use ACT’s funds and the professional knowledge and expertise of Andrews.
The aim is to buy 50 properties across the footprint of the Andrews network over the next 50 years – or sooner if funding allows.
Andrews chief executive Michael Robson, pictured, said: “We were keen to celebrate our 70th anniversary in a meaningful way that reminded not only those within the business, but also the wider communities where we operate, of the foundations on which our business was formed and the unique ownership structure that remains to this day.
“The Andrews Property Group is wholly owned by three charitable trusts, one of which is ACT, and by collaborating on this initiative we believe we’re able to draw on our distinct areas of expertise.
“Andrews will raise the money to be passed on to ACT and also work to source appropriate properties. ACT, meanwhile, will be responsible for actually purchasing the properties, leasing them to partner organisations and collecting incomes from them in order to finance future property investments.”
While social philanthropy is not new to the business – ACT receives its funding from the profits of the Andrews Property Group – it is hoped that P70 will allow every member of staff to get directly involved in something that will benefit young people close to where they work.
Michael Robson added: “Cecil Jackson Cole’s focus was always firmly on how business should help charities to tackle hardship and human suffering. This ethos remains to this day with the entire Andrews team being encouraged to partake in activities that give something back to the local community, as well as our yearly dividend pay-out to our charitable shareholders which continues to increase.
“So with a vision to eventually raise enough funds to purchase 50 homes, we’re keen to see all areas of our business play a role in fundraising initiatives to support P70 and look forward to witnessing the innovative methods they’ll employ to achieve this.
“Regional fundraising committees have been set up and bonds for a number of local half marathons and marathons have been bought to help with the fundraising efforts of each team.”
Andrews and ACT have already engaged with their first partner on the first home – 1625 Independent People the Bristol-based charity that helps 16-25 year olds with housing advice as well as life skills, confidence building, education, training and jobs.
Andrews and ACT hope to have a home for 1625 to lease later this year. The plans have the backing of Bristol Lord Mayor Councillor Clare Campion-Smith.
1625 chief executive Dom Wood said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Andrews and ACT to deliver a new home to young care leavers in Bristol. We are already supporting up to 500 young people in the city at any one time and engage with somewhere in the region of 1800 annually.
“This new home will give the young people who live there the opportunity to live independently, manage their own finances and gain the support necessary to find employment or training. The impact that this will have cannot be underestimated and the team at Andrews should be commended for celebrating their 70th anniversary in this way.”
