Urban Patchwork launched three years ago in April 2018 in the London Borough of Southwark, as an estate agency with a mission.

Their aims are to:

• Be an excellent example of estate agency practice with a professional and personable customer-focused approach.
• Help meet more people’s housing needs through using the majority of surpluses for homeless housing and support or reinvestment.

Co Founder and Managing Director Toby Gooding comments “It’s safe to say that the first few years had not been without their challenges, including unknowns around Brexit and the resulting hesitancy in the housing market, the tragic Grenfell Tower Fire and the subsequent Advice Note 14 preventing many housing sales due to non-compliant building safety standards and/or assessment processes, and of course the hugely devastating impacts of the pandemic. Despite this complex context, we’ve managed to establish ourselves at a time when many agents have gone out of business or scaled back their operations.

The last nine months of 2020/21 were however much busier in the housing market. This was likely caused by pent up demand from hesitations surrounding Brexit and lockdown creating a change in priorities for many, further fuelled by the stamp duty holiday. We were able to make the most of this busy period to progress our impact as a company”.

They donated £10,000 to the 999 Club homeless charity

At the end of 2020/21 (their first year with a surplus), they were able to donate £10,000 to their local homeless charity, the 999 Club. The charity provides a warm welcome, support, advice and essential supplies to people experiencing homelessness in South London. (You can read their thank you letter by clicking the ‘More information’ link at the bottom of this article.)

For the first time in a long while the 999 Club are forecasting a deficit. The pandemic has meant there has been very little community or mass participation events and very little corporate support. These income areas usually help the charity with unrestricted income that can cover their overheads. At the same time, their impact from grants has also been hit, as most charities have been asking for emergency funds so there is less money available. The £10,000 donation from UP is therefore very much needed. (If you too would like to help ensure the 999 Club can continue their vital work, please donate here.)

They have helped raise almost another £10,000 for the 999 Club through fundraising

Since opening three years ago, Urban Patchwork helped to raise circa £10,000 for the 999 Club through a range of fundraising activities (including the Thames Trek for the 999 Club and the Prudential RideLondon sponsored cycle), as well as raised awareness for the charity through their website, branch, social media and marketing materials. In 2020/21, they helped local resident Sandra File organise a photography competition in aid of the 999 Club and provided the £200 winner’s prize. 244 entries were received and over £1000 was raised.

As 2020/21 was their first year with a surplus at Urban Patchwork, they also reinvested some surpluses so that they have reserves, as well as funds for recruitment and other business development activities. This will help Urban Patchwork ensure they are sustainable and can increase their impact over the longer term.

If you too would like to help ensure the 999 Club can continue their vital work, please donate.

Read the full article about Urban Patchwork’s impact on their blog here.