Sharing the spirit with our communities

Corporate social responsibility is core to our company culture. In fact, throughout the year, our employees take part in the URW Volunteering Programme, across a range of initiatives. This spirit does not wane over the holidays: On the contrary, it encourages us to continue finding ways to drive meaningful change in the communities we operate in.

The holidays are a joyous time for many, but for disenfranchised minorities, they may not be so... at least not necessarily! Knowing this, at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, our teams go out of their way and go beyond the walls of our destinations to share the warm spirit of the season with those who may need a little extra cheer.

Here is some of what URW is stuffing our neighbours’ stockings with this year:

• Westfield Mall of Scandinavia in Sweden is setting up a gift-giving station for guests to make donations for a local association. Täby Centrum has organised a similar initiative to benefit Stockholm Stadsmission, a beneficiary of activities programmed at Nacka Forum and Solna Centrum. The latter two have also chosen to partner with the Red Cross for their projects.


• URW Germany cooperated with the Dutch Sheltersuit Foundation and local aid organisations to provide multifunctional, windproof, waterproof and warm recycled garments to protect people experiencing homelessness in 15 cities.
  
  


• Westfield Chodov in the Czech Republic is preparing a Christmas Eve dinner for those who would otherwise be alone or cannot afford to celebrate the occasion as they wish, to enjoy an evening full of joy, love and happiness right in the middle of the centre.
  
  


• Westfield Topanga in the US is partnering with ABC7’s Spark of Love Toy Drive, the largest community toy drive in the nation. This special community campaign collects new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura and Riverside counties. Over the past two and a half decades, the Spark of Love Toy Drive has successfully collected more than nine million toys!


• Our UK centres are running a toy appeal as well, for local schools and charities who will be coming to visiting Santa. Donations will be going to: The Magpie Project, a local charity in Newham which supports mums with children under five who are living in temporary or insecure accommodation; the Queensmill school, which support students with autism; and Jack Tizard school, supporting students with a range of severe leaning difficulties including profound and multiple learning difficulties.


• This year, Westfield Carré Sénart in France joined forces with local government offices to support the AFM-Téléthon, which benefits families in their fights against rare and severely debilitating genetic diseases. The team set up a major donation campaign, inviting visitors who made a minimum donation of 3€ to the AFM-Téléthon to meet at nightfall on the banks of the canal to place lanterns on the water. It was a wonderful experience that certainly encouraged more participation in the fund drive.
  
  

Seeking some of that holiday magic? The teams in destinations nearest you will certainly be happy to help find ways to spread joy for others.

Season’s greetings!