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NEWS SUSTAINABILITY

Heathrow pledges “to give back” to one million people within its local communities

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London’s Heathrow Airport today published its new Giving Back Programme, reasserting its commitment to the local community to make the area a great place to live and work.

It is the first comprehensive community investment plan published by the airport, clarifying the various ways it already supports the local community as well as setting out a variety of new initiatives.

Following last year’s refreshed ‘Heathrow 2.0’ sustainability strategy, which set out clear ambitions for this decade, the new plan takes on board a wealth of feedback from local communities to determine what is most important to them.

Crucially, the airport wanted to understand these priorities to ascertain how it can be a better neighbour and how it can ensure local communities are able to fully benefit from its role as a connector.

Heathrow will meet its one million people pledge through a range of initiatives, including expanding existing schemes, like doubling the number of schools it supports through its Local Schools Partnership; and launching an employability programme, Heathrow World of Work, to connect young people in the community with first-hand experiences of the workplace, helping them get their foot on the careers ladder.

The airport will connect more than 10,000 local people to jobs, apprenticeships and early career opportunities, a unique ability given its position as the largest single-site employer in the UK.

By donating £1 million per year to local groups, primarily via the Heathrow Community Trust, Heathrow and the grant-giving charity believe they can continue to help grassroots organisations reach out to and support vulnerable and isolated members of the community.

More than 200 community projects will receive funding through the Local Community Support Fund across issues that were identified in the consultation as being most important, including tackling the cost-of-living, restoring heritage sites and building a greener neighbourhood.

Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye, welcomed the new report, commenting: “Our Giving Back Programme is a clear reflection of what the local community has told us over the last year and our way of saying loudly and clearly that being a responsible neighbour will always be a priority.

“We’ve listened to the community’s views – some of it good, all of it completely honest, and often highlighting areas where we can improve our work. The overriding message was clear: Heathrow must become a connector in the community once more.

“That means connecting people with new employment opportunities, with nature and the local environment, and ensuring funding remains in place for vital local institutions. This programme is the first step of a long-term plan to inspire people to move here because of the airport, not in spite of it.”

1 Comment

  1. John Bowden 30th May 2023

    Heathrow have failed since the withdrawal of the Cranford agreement in 2013 to use both runways alternating during easterly operations, similar to those flights arriving over West London. Windsor town has aircraft landing constantly from 0430 to midnight plus. 20 hours of constant noise, with no noise meter, save for a meter one mile west to record departures, away from the dense part of the town.

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