As part of Whirlpool’s House and Home social responsibility strategy, the new initiative sees the appliance brand partner with Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, a housing charity focused on long-term poverty alleviation through affordable social housing.
To launch the new initiative, Whirlpool staff will be volunteering at the charity’s Empty Spaces project in east London. The programme will see disused commercial premises repurposed into social housing, and Whirlpool staff will be lending a hand between November 15-19. The volunteers will support the charity in renovating and decorating the premises, transforming it into a home for vulnerable people.
Whirlpool’s support for the Empty Spaces project coincides with Habitat for Humanity’s Europe Housing Forum, which is taking place virtually between November 16-19. The forum will bring together key stakeholders in areas such as civil society, government, the private sector, and academia to discuss both European and global housing issues. Whirlpool are the Global Gold Sponsor over the four-day conference.
Ian Moverley, public affairs director at Whirlpool UK Appliances said: “We are incredibly proud to be launching our new initiative House and Home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity GB here in the UK. Homelessness and the number of people living in substandard housing is a significant challenge faced by communities across the country. We are passionate about supporting Habitat for Humanity GB’s work in renovating and refurbishing empty spaces, transforming them into homes for vulnerable people and working towards a future where everyone has a safe place to call home.
“I look forward to personally volunteering at the Empty Spaces project alongside many of my colleagues from Whirlpool UK, and we hope the development will act as a foundation for future projects across the country, improving the lives of individuals, families and communities.”
Tum Kazunga, CEO at Habitat for Humanity GB, adds: “The Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the ongoing housing poverty in Great Britain, affecting thousands of vulnerable individuals and families. Partnerships such as this one helps us tackle this issue by providing vulnerable people a safe place to call home. We are delighted to have Whirlpool UK as a partner and look forward to working together with them as we continue to deliver much needed social housing in London’s Borough of Barking and Dagenham.”
Whirlpool say its wider House and Home strategy will seek to contribute towards safe, affordable and nurturing places to live, where families can make healthy choices and build a better future, while supporting thriving and sustainable communities through a number of educational and community development programmes.