Charitable Partnerships

NewRiver’s corporate charity partnership with Trussell began in June 2019. Trussell’s vital work supports over 1,400 food banks across the UK, helping to provide three-day emergency food parcels and practical support to people left without enough money to live on.
 

Since establishing the partnership NewRiver has donated over £637,000 to support Trussell’s efforts and collected over 19 tonnes of food donations. In addition, NewRiver staff have volunteered at Trussell community food banks, food collection points have been installed across NewRiver’s shopping centre portfolio, and NewRiver assets have been made available for storage, awareness campaigns and volunteer recruitment.
 

Joanne Freeborough, Head of Partnerships at Trussell said: “Trussell is so grateful for the support NewRiver has provided over an incredible seven years of working together to make a huge difference in communities throughout the UK. 

Our latest statistics show food bank use remains shockingly high. Through our partnership you've supported us to raise awareness of our key campaigns and our vision to end the need for food banks, as well as enabling Trussell to support people facing hunger and hardship through their hardest moments, as we work towards lasting change. We are so grateful for the partnership over these years and your continued support.”
 

Find out more: 

www.trussell.org.uk

NewRiver began working with award-winning social enterprise Hey Girls in summer 2025 to install free period product vending machines in their shopping centres. A number of centres now offer free period pads and tampons in the public toilets to help meet a growing need in local communities. The initiative also extends to the office teams, who now have access to free period products as part of the internal workplace offer.

By supporting communities with access to essential items, NewRiver are making their spaces more inclusive, increasing engagement and delivering on ESG and DEI goals.

“We’re really pleased to be working with NewRiver to bring free period products into their shopping centres,” said Hannah Routledge, Partnerships Manager at Hey Girls. “Accessible period products in public spaces make a huge difference to those experiencing period poverty or caught short while out and about. It’s great to see a leading UK retail real estate company like NewRiver recognising this need and stepping up to support their communities”

We have a target to support a minimum of 5 industry/ career engagement activities for young people per year, which we primarily deliver through our partnership with The Academy of Real Assets (TARA). In FY26, we:

• Joined the TARA advisory Board
• Supported a workshop at Southfields Academy
• Participated in two mock interview days – one at Southfields academy and the other at Tottenham Sixth Form College
• Hosted a site visit to one of our assets for 15 students of Townley Grammar School
• Made arrangements for a work experience placement within our asset management team to take place during June 2026.

“The NewRiver team is one of the longest-standing and most-committed supporters of The Academy of Real Assets. They are so enthusiastic and always find time to help us and the young people we are looking to give opportunity to.

NewRiver team members have rolled their sleeves up and got involved with mock interviews, careers fairs and site visits, as well as offering work experience to Academy students. Shopping centres actively involved in the 2025-2026 programme include Bexleyheath, Wood Green, Middlesbrough, and Paisley.

NewRiver really are a model Academy member and their practical and financial support is hugely appreciated by all of us.“

Stephen Yorke
Founder and CEO

We became founding members of the Waltham Forest Social Investment Fund (SIF) as local stakeholders through our ownership of 17&Central, Walthamstow. Founding membership involves an annual financial donation which is allocated by the council to support the community’s primary needs, with a target of achieving a social return on investment (SROI) of £3-£10 per £1 donated.

The fund began with a project to support temporary accommodation residents to break down barriers to financial stability, assisting them into employment and private accommodation. The project was a great success, achieving an SROI of >£10 per £1, and making a life-changing difference to members of the Walthamstow community.

“As a founding member of the Social Investment Fund, New River is actively shaping the delivery of social value within the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Our mission goes beyond compliance; we are committed to designing programmes and initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for our diverse communities. Through our partnership, we have already made significant progress in supporting some of the most vulnerable residents living in temporary accommodation. By co-funding tailored support services, we are enabling individuals to build the skills and confidence needed to secure sustainable employment. This approach not only improves individual outcomes but also strengthens the resilience and prosperity of our wider community.”

Adrian Williams
Social Investment Lead, London Borough of Waltham Forest

NewRiver’s partnership with Chasing the Stigma, a national mental health charity, began in Spring 2023. The collaboration aims to create a society where there is no longer a stigma associated with mental health, where people are as comfortable talking about their mental health as their physical health, and where everyone can find appropriate support before they reach a point of crisis.
 

The partnership provides all NewRiver staff with access to the Ambassador of Hope training programme and signposting guides.
 

Shopping centres, across the NewRiver portfolio, use social media channels, digital screens and community notice boards to share targets campaigns to generate awareness of the Hub of Hope services, providing access to help and support to those in crisis.
 

Jake Mills, CEO and Founder of Chasing the Stigma, said: “Our partnership with NewRiver is vital in furthering our mission to normalise mental health, remove stigma and barriers to support, and make finding help as easy as possible by creating one clear pathway to accessing support. Shopping centres are at the heart of our cities and towns, where many go either to find anonymity and space, or connection and a sense of belonging”
 

Find out more:

Chasing the Stigma

Hub of Hope