CGL is wholly committed to using our design skills and human resources to make lasting positive change for the communities in which we work. Creating an impact to improve people’s lives is at the core of CGL’s business.
Discussions to develop and manage clear social objectives for each project form an early part of our agenda, an integral component of the brief creation, the on-going design process and beyond. We will utilise our knowledge of local communities and determine tangible opportunities to add social, environmental and economic value to every new development. By working closely with stakeholders, we strive towards transforming communities, creating value and making a positive contribution for a thriving and sustainable environment.
SME Business Support:
CGL has and will continue to support start-up businesses, something we have been driven towards since our founding. Our track record includes offering support in relation to finance, HR, marketing and communication guidance for start-ups and charities, attending ‘Meet the Buyer’ events, proposing senior staff members to act as trustees and advisors to voluntary or community organisations, offering our office facilities as an event space and taking part in mentoring programmes.
Education, Training and Mentoring:
We provide a programme of mentoring, work experience and eventually jobs via a host of pathways, including The Stephen Lawrence Trust, The Social Mobility Foundation, Universities, and via client organisations. Recent examples include workshops at Reading University and voluntary participation in the 2019 learning programme for the NLA, aimed at promoting the huge range of careers available within the built environment.
We are proud that over 37% of our employees are engaged as mentors, supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. CGL are also engaged with Westminster’s City Lions project to provide mentoring and careers support to residents, while additionally providing work placements.
Furthermore, although practices do not commonly align with traditional apprenticeship programmes, we fully support the training of architectural students through paid employment work placements both at graduate and masters level. This includes training and development towards the successful passing of professional architectural qualifications. Recently we supported a candidate through this exact process to successfully complete their formal Part-3 architectural qualification. This has been supported through involvement working on a CGL project within their local community.
Tackling Homelessness:
We dedicate our time, skills and resources to support many charitable organisations. This includes a 10-year pro bono partnership with homeless charity CRASH; providing support by designing accommodation with services and networks for residents.
CGL has driven numerous fundraising campaigns for CRASH and, as a result, were recently awarded with ‘Fundraising Champion 2019’ certification in recognition of our consistent support.
Some of the causes and projects we support:
