Employees Build Stronger Communities Through UK Grants
Five HDR United Kingdom Fund grants totaling more than £19,000 will expand educational programs, reduce social isolation, and improve access to essential community resources.
Driven by engaged HDR employees, each grant demonstrates the positive impact local organizations have to strengthen communities.
Julia Hingorani, HDR consultant, sponsored a grant to Lambeth Repair Café to fund essential tools and parts for household items and electronics repairs.
“This funding will have a lasting impact by making repair services and skills more accessible to residents, strengthening community connections while helping people reduce costs and live more sustainably,” Hingorani said. “By supporting repair over replacement, the funding will help reduce carbon emissions and waste.”
Sponsored by Darren Otton, HDR junior human resources advisor, a grant to Club Soda will create more opportunities for young people with learning disabilities to connect, build confidence and express themselves through music workshops.
“This grant will make a genuine and immediate impact on Club Soda, as it will allow us to deliver a second weekly Soda Jam workshop programme for a full year,” Otton said. “For many participants, Soda Jam is not just a music workshop; it is one of the few places where they can be fully themselves, connect with others and be recognised for their talents.”
Edward Alton, HDR mechanical engineer, sponsored a grant to Oasis Community Hub-South Bristol to support youth education through mentorship.
“The funds will support a project for young people aged 14 to 16 who are at risk of not being in education, employment or training, and will equip them with the life skills and confidence so they can thrive,” Alton said. “It will make a real difference to the young people they are working with.”
Read more about the latest grants.
About the HDR United Kingdom Fund
Funded and driven by HDR employees, the HDR United Kingdom Fund is a charitable fund held with the London Community Foundation, dedicated to serving communities across the U.K. in which our employees live and work. Modeled after the U.S.-based HDR Foundation, the HDR United Kingdom Fund provides grants to organizations that align with HDR’s areas of expertise: education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. Since its inception in 2022, the HDR United Kingdom Fund has awarded more than £113,000 in grants.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
