Social Responsibility - The PRS REIT

There is a structural undersupply of new housing in the UK and demand for quality rental homes, especially for families, is high.

Supply and affordability issues in the UK housing market are well known and are now systemic putting greater upward pressure on house prices, in turn affecting affordability levels driving greater demand to the rental sector.

Typically a fragmented market, the UK rental sector is predominantly privately managed, with the standard of home and the level of landlord care varying considerably. As a result of changes in taxation and costs of entry, in recent years many small private landlords have chosen to exit the market, further reducing supply and increasing demand.

Creating Communities

Sigma’s research shows that location is one of the top items of importance for renters, which is why we select sites close to good amenities, schools, transport links and employment hubs to create homes to provide a long term rental solution.

Having a sense of community is really important. Feeling like you belong and that you are a part of a community helps to make you feel safe.

We feel we have a responsibility to do what we can to help promote a sense of community. Sigma holds annual on-site events throughout the year on all our sites. These events have included, wood-fired pizza oven nights, a branded ice cream dash in the summer, Easter Egg hunts and visits from Santa, his elves and reindeer at Christmas.

Sigma has also implemented Book Boxes on many of our developments, allowing residents to share books for free. Each development book box is looked after by a voluntary resident book guardian!

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Supporting the Wider Community

We believe it is important to support the wider community in which our developments are located.

Every year Sigma supports local schools, sports clubs and local charities which benefits The PRS REIT’s residents, developments and the wider local communities.

Sigma continually supports education and development in young people to give them new opportunities and the best chances through life:

Donations between £2,000-£8,000 to local primary school projects on a projects, which have included new school libraries, all-school theatre trips, playground equipment and regeneration and IT equipment.
Staff involved in mock interviews with local high schools
Educational themed mobile escape rooms through our partner Clever Cogz
Sigma’s ‘Building For My Future’ twice yearly trips with The Outward Bound Trust, which offers 12 free spaces for young people (from charity partners, suppliers and residents), to have a week of skill building activities and adventures in the Lake District

CLEVER COGZ MOBILE ESCAPE ROOM

Sigma has funded a number of escape room roadshows with partner (and resident!), Clever Cogz. Each escape room has an educational theme running throughout the activities from a literacy themed enchanted forest, to a health and wellbeing forbidden temple. The escape room has been brought to many schools close to our developments up and down the country, offered to both residents and local primary schools.

BUILDING FOR MY FUTURE COURSE

In 2022 Sigma launched it’s ‘Building for My Future’ Course, with partner The Outward Bound Trust. The course is designed to offer young people key skills in preparation for their future. Sigma hold two intakes per year, with 12 spaces for young people from their charity partners, suppliers and Simple Life residents (or anyone who may benefit!). The group undertakes an action packed 5 day trip in the Lake District, completely funded by Sigma. Activities include abseiling, trekking, canoeing, camping and much more!

RIVER VIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL, SALFORD

Project: Regeneration of pond area funded by Sigma

Daniel Gauld, Head Teacher at River View Primary School, said: “We’re really grateful for the second donation from Sigma. Nature and being outdoors is brilliant for the children’s mental health and wellbeing and the new pond area is brilliant.

“The outdoor greenhouse built from the first donation allows us to associate reading time within playtime and has made a huge difference to the school.”

MILLS HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL, MIDDLETON

Project: Daily Mile running track funded by Sigma

Ian Mason, Head Teacher at Mills Hill Primary School, comments: “The childrens’ daily walks around the playground eventually developed into them running three times a week and it’s brilliant to see that fitness levels have improved.

“We encourage our children to be both active physically and to be creative with their environment. The much-needed money from Sigma has transformed our playground and facilities and allowed our pupils to reap the benefits of keeping fit.”

ST THERESA’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, SHEFFIELD

Project: Brand new library with creative mezzanine area, books and electronic scanning in/out system, funded by Sigma

Mrs Joanne Cupitt, Librarian at St Theresa’s School, said: “The donation has been used to buy plenty of new books for all of the children, which is proving very popular. There is also a sensory roof, reading pods and a fantastic den and mezzanine area, which is being used creatively to replicate different parts of popular books, for example, at the moment it is taking the form of a magical castle. The money has also funded a barcode scanning and checking in system which is used to track the books.”

Lulyana, one of the pupil librarians, said: “the library is my favourite place to be in school.”

SALE UNITED GIRLS FOOTBALL CLUB

Sigma is delighted to support youth sports teams close to our developments throughout the country each year, allowing sports amongst young people to thrive and to remain accessible. Simple Life has been a main sponsor for Sale United Girls FC for a number of years, with REIT development Millbank Lock within the catchment area of the club.

Doncaster Plant Works Boxing Club

In 2022, partners Sigma Capital Group, Countryside Properties and Sage Housing submitted a £7,500 cash injection to Doncaster Plant Works Boxing Club, based in Hexthorpe, close to The PRS REIT’s Simple Life Development Pullman Green.

The donation was very much needed for club maintenance, new kit and equipment, but most importantly, this will allow young talent to compete in greater competitions.

Environmental Initiatives

Sigma recognises that it is a long-term stakeholder in the communities and neighbourhoods it creates, and takes this responsibility very seriously.

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