The Clarkson Foundation (“The Foundation”) established in September 2020 is a registered charity (1191357) which has supported many worthwhile global and local causes since inception, focussed predominantly on Poverty, Children’s Health and Wellbeing, Mental Health and Maritime. Our goal is to make a positive impact on the world in which we live.
Early in 2024, The Foundation decided to partner with the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint, on a major development within their Independent Living Programme and donated £1.25 million as part of their matched funding appeal generously supported by The Julia Rausing Trust.
The motivation for this support began in 2021, when the Foundation’s trustees observed a concerning rise in homelessness in London and felt compelled to act. The Independent Living Programme which aims to break the cycle of youth homelessness by tackling the shortage of affordable homes, consequently struck a chord. This programme is aimed at young people aged between 18 and 24, offering them affordable housing and a safe and secure environment during their first step into independent living.
Centrepoint have pledged to create 300 new homes under the Independent Living Programme, including its first development Reuben House, which was opened by Centrepoint’s patron HRH The Prince of Wales in July 2023.
It is therefore with huge excitement and pride that we today announce that the delivery of a new development, Clarksons House, in the London Borough of Lambeth is now one step closer to reality. Conditional planning permission has now been granted… A milestone that has been four years in the making.
Jeff Woyda - Chair of The Clarkson Foundation said: -
“Youth homelessness in the UK simply should not be allowed to exist. It is incumbent on companies and individuals throughout the UK to support hugely valuable initiatives such as this, in order to break the cycle of homelessness once and for all. The Board of Trustees of The Clarkson Foundation are hugely proud of helping to make this specific project a reality and are grateful for the support from Clarkson PLC, its staff and other donors in making this possible. We look forward to the opening of Clarksons House and the real difference it will make to young people’s lives.”
Andi Case – CEO of Clarkson PLC, said: -
“Clarksons is delighted to support the Foundation in this incredibly worthwhile initiative. Everyone throughout the Clarksons group is extremely proud of the events we arrange, the money we raise and donate to charity, and the Foundation’s work in supporting the development of Clarksons House with Centrepoint. I would like to thank Centrepoint and Lambeth Council for their support in ensuring this project can be delivered.”
Sally Orlopp - Director of the Independent Living Programme at Centrepoint said: -
“We are so grateful to The Clarkson Foundation for their donation and commitment to Centrepoint and to homeless young people. This support will provide more than the just the bricks and mortar of our Independent Living homes. It is gifting the ambitious young people we work with the opportunity to live, thrive and progress in their chosen careers. We have been astonished by the amount of interest our Independent Living project, which represents the beginning of a movement to amplify Independent Living nationally as a solution to ending youth homelessness in the UK.”
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