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Last edited 15 Dec 2023

[edit] The Building People Communities Network

Amplifying the voices of organisations that work with under-represented groups

There are many disparate organisations that provide construction and built environment careers support to people from diverse and under-represented groups.

Building People brings these organisations and initiatives together to facilitate discussion, collaboration and change. We amplify the voices of the under-represented, empowering and promoting a ‘Network of Networks’ that has the reach into the people our sector needs.

This network is open to all organisations and initiatives that work with under-represented groups to facilitate construction and built environment careers.

You can see who has joined in below. We’re so proud of this network and all the brilliant work we collectively deliver.

[edit] Race and Ethnicity

BAME in Property is an organisation for BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities) and non-BAME professionals who are passionate about increasing ethnic diversity in the property and planning sectors.
Black Females in Architecture (BFA) is a global membership network and enterprise founded to increase the visibility of black and black mixed heritage women within the architectural industry and other built environment fields.
Black Women in Real Estate enables Black Women to be seen, heard and grow in the Real Estate industry.
Jhive is a charity that partners with corporates to increase the representation of Jews in construction and the built environment by showcasing apprenticeship opportunities to school leavers, graduates and career changers.
DiverseCity Surveyors, offer quality support services and educational training [including CPD] to BAME Surveyors who are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors [RICS], irrespective of their physical location, across the world.
Diversity Talks Real Estate connect female and ethnic minority commercial real estate professionals with speaking opportunities across Europe, and provide training for successful stage presence.
Public Practice is a not-for-profit bringing built environment skills into local authorities to build the public sector’s capacity to improve the quality, equality and sustainability of places.
Renaisi is a social enterprise that has been creating the conditions for strong, inclusive communities to thrive for more than 20 years.
The Land Collective is an award-winning, youth-focused organisation that encourages active engagement in the built environment through hosting employability programmes, showcasing career opportunities, supporting the development of commercial awareness and providing educational resources about the sector.

[edit] Ex-Military

BuildForce is a UK-wide Alliance of employers, industry bodies and charities (currently 100+ strong), established with the mission of transitioning military service leavers and veterans to new careers in the construction sector and built environment.
Building Heroes aim is to tackle unemployment amongst those who have kept us safe by offering them a seamless transition to a new career in construction.
Career Forces helps anyone with the personal qualities and skills associated with UK Key Workers such as Police Service, Fire Service, Medical staff, and military personnel. We can help business leaders to recruit incredible people and build on their business success.
Project Recce has a simple mission: to become the number one organisation in the UK for veterans wishing to enter employment in the construction industry.

[edit] Criminal Justice

A Fairer Chance (AFC), is a Community Interest Company formed in September 2011. Its overall objective is to reduce worklessness across the UK’s priority groups.
Bounce Back is a Charity and a Social Enterprise focused on the training and employment of people in and leaving prison. We work inside and out with a firm belief that everyone has the ability to change and deserves an opportunity to do so.
Forward empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of addiction or crime to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive futures.

[edit] Disability, Neurodiversity and well being

AbilityRE focus on disability, neurodiversity, mental ill-health and long-term health conditions throughout the Real Estate & Built Environment sector and support individuals, organisations and governing bodies.
Construct-Ability is the Disability, Non-visible disabilities and neurodiversity network for the construction, housing and engineering industry.
Deaf Architecture Front is a platform and a collective with a focus on activism, consultation, open resource, and research, with the aim to create a bridge between Deaf communities and architectural / spatial practice industries.
The Health and Wellbeing in Planning Network is a peer to peer support network for practitioners working to integrate health, wellbeing and health inequalities issues in spatial land use planning systems and practices.
Jane Simpson Access, access consultants who believe it is crucial to provide an environment ensuring that all people, no matter their age, physical or cognitive ability, race, or gender, can access equally and as Architects we understand the briefing, procurement, construction and management responsibilities.
Mates in Mind is a charity, that aims to provide clear information to employers about the available support and guidance on mental health and wellbeing, and how they can address this within their organisations.
Neurodiversity Architecture Network is a Network of Practitioners, Educators and Students who relate to the topic of Neurodiversity in Architecture. Our NAN Mentorship Programme pairs neurodivergent students with neurodivergent mentors in the field of Architecture.
Neurodiversity in Planning collaborate to increase understanding of Neurodiversity in Planning - how we work and learn, design inclusive places and communicate effectively, with diverse minds.

[edit] LGBTQ+

Building Equality is an alliance of construction consultants, engineers, developers, contractors, and institutions who are passionate about working together and harnessing our collective power to drive LGBT+ inclusion in the construction industry.
Freehold is a leading and unique networking forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender real estate professionals working within the real estate sector.
LGBT Property Professionals are a networking event based in Manchester, our aim is to connect all professionals of the property sector & raise awareness.
Planning Out is an LGBT network for professionals in the town planning sector.

[edit] Refugees

Renaisi is a social enterprise that has been creating the conditions for strong, inclusive communities to thrive for more than 20 years.
Transitions enable Engineers, Architects and Business services professionals, with UK Refugee Protection, living in London, to go back to work in their profession.

[edit] Gender

Black Females in Architecture (BFA) is a global membership network and enterprise founded to increase the visibility of black and black mixed heritage women within the architectural industry and other built environment fields.
Black Women in Real Estate enables Black Women to be seen, heard and grow in the Real Estate industry.
Diversity Talks Real Estate connect female and ethnic minority commercial real estate professionals with speaking opportunities across Europe, and provide training for successful stage presence.
Let’s Build is a televised forum discussing how we can revitalise the construction industry through diverse and inclusive practice.
NAWIC is an international not-for-profit association dedicated to the advancement of women in the construction industry.
Public Practice is a not-for-profit bringing built environment skills into local authorities to build the public sector’s capacity to improve the quality, equality and sustainability of places.
Real Estate Balance campaigns for greater diversity and inclusion in the real estate and property industry on behalf of its more than 100 corporate and public sector members with a particular focus on gender, ethnicity and social mobility.
Register of Tradeswomen: Growing awareness and numbers of tradeswomen, giving all householders the choice of using tradeswomen and creating more access to training in skilled trades for women, especially survivors of abuse.
RE : WOMEN are a group of dynamic and brave real estate professionals. We are dedicated to gender equality and diversity in the real estate industry through informal education and networking opportunities.
Stopcocks, women plumbers believe that as a plumbing and heating company they are unique. Established in 1990, Stopcocks have always put the needs of the customer first.
Women in BIM Help create a diverse industry through support and community.
Women into Construction is an independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes gender equality in construction.
Women in Property creates opportunities, expands knowledge and inspires change for women working in the property and construction industry.
Your Energy Your Way, not only brings years of renewables experience but also wider electrical, plumbing and roofing expertise.

AccXel is a state-of-the-art centre of excellence to inspire, train and connect people entering and advancing within the UK construction industry.
Causeway Education – for progression not determined by privilege.
Class of Your Own. The creator of the award-winning ‘Design Engineer Construct! Learning Programme for young people (and their teachers!), Class Of Your Own works around the world with schools, colleges, universities, NGOs and industry to educate the Future of Construction.
Construction Youth Trust is a charity whose aim is to inspire and enable young people to overcome barriers and discover a career in the construction and built environment sector.
CCATF's mission is to champion the ethos and culture of training within the construction industry by working with industry peers and stakeholders; to encourage organisations to provide training and apprenticeships.
The CSTT was established by The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors to help individuals overcome the barriers they face in pursuing a career in Surveying.
EN:Able Futures work with the construction sector to develop apprenticeships across Yorkshire, the North East and East Midlands, empowering businesses to fill their vacancies with talent, and supporting apprentices to get the best start to their careers.
Evolve UK is a social enterprise & not-for-profit organisation that delivers the Shared Apprenticeship Scheme via CITB, and Flexi Job Agency in London, Birmingham and West Midlands.
eVolve your future. The only broker in England commissioned by The Department for Education to support industry placement opportunities for the new T-Level Scheme within the Construction Industry.
Gement aims to increase new entrants to all areas of the construction industry through a range of not-for-profit educational programmes and specialist recruitment services.
Girls Under Construction are a relatable bridge between young diverse women and the Built Environment + Construction Industry, with the objective of increasing the number of young girls being enlightened about the industry and the number of diverse young women entering the industry.
Joe Brennan Training. The JBT Construction Programme is based on Joe’s years of managing construction-training programmes.
MATT+FIONA is a social enterprise led by architectural educators that asks young people how their built environment might be improved and empowers them to bring that vision to life.
Ministry of Building Innovation and Education. George Clarke founded MOBIE in 2017 as an educational charity to train and inspire young people to innovate in the design and construction of HOMES in the UK and abroad.
Mayor's Fund for London. We are an independent charity, championing opportunities for young Londoners from low income backgrounds. As part of our campaign, ‘Firm Foundations’, we’re teaming up with the built environment to level the playing field for young Londoners.
Regeneration Brainery brings young people closer to the property and regeneration industry by taking unloved building, spaces or communities and transforming them into brilliant places to live, work and enjoy.
Shared Apprenticeships. A social enterprise and apprentice agency for the construction industry, we employ young people on local apprenticeships, we arrange flexible work placements for them with host contractors, and we mentor and manage them through to successful completion and onward progression.
STEMPOINT East. An educational charity whose aim is to inspire young people about STEM, by engaging pupils in memorable experiences and by introducing them to professional scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians through the STEM Ambassador programme, as the STEM Ambassador Hub for the East of England.
The Land Collective is an award-winning, youth-focused organisation that encourages active engagement in the built environment through hosting employability programmes, showcasing career opportunities, supporting the development of commercial awareness and providing educational resources about the sector.
Urban Land Institute (ULI) is the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world. ULI is its members—delivering the mission, shaping the future of the industry, and creating thriving communities around the globe.
Volunteer it Yourself (VIY) challenges young people aged 14-24 to learn trade and employability skills through helping to fix local youth and community facilities in need of essential repairs and improvements.
Youthbuild UK engage with organisations and employers in the construction industry to encourage them to offer work opportunities to disadvantaged young people.
YouthBuild Ventures UK. Proud to be part of a movement founded on love and passion for youth - offering a unified response to prepare unemployed youth to fill eminent labour market gaps.