Property industry unites to ‘do some good’ for the NHS

Property professionals from Greystar, SAY Consulting, deverellsmith, and Be Original have joined forces to create a central register where the real estate industry can pledge support to the NHS and healthcare workers to help these real-life superheroes fight Covid-19.

The initiative repurposes the Do Some Good platform, which launched earlier in the year when MIPIM 2020 was cancelled to encourage delegates to use the extra time from not attending the event for charitable endeavours. The website will now act as a one-stop shop for businesses to offer space, supplies, manpower and other resources that will help the NHS to tackle the outbreak.

The property industry and its supply chain can sign up and offer help through Do Some Good in three main ways:

• Providing space, such as temporary beds for workers or car parking

• Sourcing medical supplies and Personal Protective Equipment

• Offering operational support, such as logistics or facilities management

• The Do Some Good team will consolidate the industry’s efforts to make the allocation of resources more efficient and is also interested in hearing from volunteers.

Adina David, founder of Ladies in Real Estate and director of Flexible Housing at Greystar, said: “Now more than ever the real estate industry must come together as a community to support the NHS. Real estate is a people-focused industry. It is vital to take care and give back to our heroes in the NHS and healthcare industry, who are working valiantly to look after us during this time. We must do our part as individuals and as an industry to ensure that healthcare workers on the frontline have the support required.” 

Debra Yudolph, partner, SAY Consulting said: “I am delighted that the Do Some Good platform has been repurposed as a central register to enable the real estate industry to unite its efforts to suppose those in need at this time of unprecedented crisis. Today, we are focusing on the National Health Service, but as the situation changes we will find more ways to offer support and resources through Do Some Good with the assistance of the industry”

Andrew Deverell-Smith, founder and CEO, deverellsmith said: “The Real Estate industry has always had people at its heart – now is the time to make sure that the people on the frontline have the right resources and supplies to truly make a difference. Offering operational support, storage facilities and equipment where possible will play a crucial role in alleviating pressures on the NHS.” 

Kyle McFadden, director of Business Operations, Greystar said: “Healthcare personnel are working tirelessly to care for people affected by Covid-19, but the situation could get worse so we need to do everything we can to support the NHS and cope with the crisis. The real estate industry must help the government and the services we are relying on through this difficult time to ensure that we have the capacity to meet our medical needs when the crisis peaks.”

If you or your organisation is looking to help, Do Some Good is looking to pool offers of assistance with the following: 

Space (in support of the UKAA initiative):

• Space for critical care beds 

• Space/ accommodation for NHS workers to self-isolate in (no individual flats) 

• Car parking spaces 

• Storage Space 

Medical Supplies:

• Medical-grade masks (e.g., n95 masks, existing PPE or 3D printed)  

• Single-use gloves 

• Face shields 

• Respirators  

• Other medical supplies 

Operational Support & Other Supplies (For temporary accommodation for NHS workers): 

• Management of residential facilities 

• Management of logistics / storage 

• Furniture procurement 

• Cleaning & procurement of linen 

• Toiletries 

• Cooked Meals 

• Food donations 

• Other donations