Forsters Announces Exciting Partnership with Local Charity the Marylebone Project
Forsters are delighted to be partnering with the Marylebone Project as part of the firm’s commitment to supporting charities and community groups. The relationship forms part of our wider CSR strategy, and our focus will be supporting the Marylebone Project’s various initiatives and services designed to protect vulnerable women facing homelessness. Our recent move to our new office in Marylebone provides a great opportunity for us to support our local community, with the Marylebone Project on our doorstep.
The Marylebone Project provides a life-changing service for women facing homelessness, empowering them towards independent living. It is the largest and longest-running centre of its kind in London and the UK with over 90 years’ experience and 112 residential beds across two buildings. It is the only women’s-only homelessness centre that is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
As a firm we are proud of our values; being driven by what really matters and supporting everyone to achieve. We are also a firm with strong female leadership (as of February 2024, 53% of our partners were women, including our Senior Partner and Managing Partner) which actively supports women with their professional development. The Marylebone Project aims to do the same with one of its main values being empowerment, equipping women to make informed choices and to have a voice. We look forward to working together in partnership to enrich the lives of women supported by the Marylebone Project.
We will directly support the Marylebone Project’s services and women through fundraising, material donations, social activities and volunteering. Longer term, we hope our partnership will raise awareness of the Marylebone Project’s vital services, the experience of women who are experiencing homelessness in London and also provide skills-based support, empowering women to live fulfilling independent lives.
Towards the end of 2023, Miriam Kennedy (Centre Manager), Evie Oglethorpe (Fundraising Officer) and Ruhamah Sonson (Operations Manager) from the Marylebone Project came to speak to the team at Forsters and to launch our partnership. The session provided an opportunity for the firm to find out more about the Marylebone Project’s vital services and hear to the stories of the women who have benefitted from its support. Evie also shared details of the ways in which Forsters’ employees can get involved and provide support throughout the course of the partnership.
During the event, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Munch, the Marylebone Project’s social enterprise catering business. Munch food is prepared by a team of women from the Marylebone Project, providing opportunities for them to improve their wellbeing, whilst gaining catering skills and qualifications.
We look forward to kickstarting this partnership by supporting the London Homeless Collective’s London Walk in March, raising funds for the Marylebone Project. The London Homeless Collective is a movement of more than 25 charities that help people experiencing homelessness in London.
“Forsters’ recent move to Marylebone provides a perfect opportunity for us to support our local community and we are thrilled to announce the Marylebone Project as our next charitable partner. As a firm we are proud of our values which include being driven by what really matters and supporting everyone to achieve. We are committed to supporting the Marylebone Project as they continue to empower women to lead independent and fulfilling lives.” - Emily Exton, Managing Partner
“We look forward to working with the Marylebone Project to deliver a meaningful partnership, enriching the lives of vulnerable women affected by homelessness. Together, our partners and employees will participate in a range of fundraising and volunteering activities that will benefit the women supported by the Marylebone Project.” - Jeremy Roberston and Michael Armstrong, Co-leads of the Forsters' Charity and Community Committee
"We are so pleased Forsters has chosen to partner with the Marylebone Project, coinciding with their recent move to the area. We are grateful that Forsters feel inspired by our mission to support women in overcoming homelessness and living full, independent lives, and we're excited for the expertise, committed volunteers and community spirit they will bring to the project." - Miriam Kennedy, Centre Manager at the Marylebone Project
