The Covid-19 crisis has engulfed the world over the last few weeks, and the UK, like many others, is having to fight a looming public health crisis.
As the number of Brits coming down with the virus continues to increase – with many requiring hospitalisation – our heroic NHS workers and healthcare staff are bravely and doggedly treating the sick. But they cannot do it alone. They need help.
The NHS does not currently have nearly enough beds to accommodate all those who may need treatment for Covid-19, especially if infection rates increase rapidly.
Many nurses and doctors need emergency accommodation near their hospitals so they don’t have to go home and potentially expose their loved ones. And with equipment shortages, the need for more supplies of proper PPE to protect them is absolutely crucial.
National effort
As an industry, we can do so much to support the health service during this crisis. From providing space for critical care beds to supplying the logistic expertise needed to organise the delivery of masks and other protective equipment, all of us as real estate professionals and businesses can play our part in helping the national effort to defeat Covid-19.
During this tumultuous time for our businesses, it might be hard to find the time to discover how you can help and what you need to do.
That is why I – along with Adina David at Greystar and Andrew Deverell-Smith at deverellsmith – have repurposed the website Do Some Good.
I originally launched it earlier in the year when MIPIM 2020 was cancelled to encourage delegates to use the extra time from not attending the event for charitable endeavours. We have now made it a one-stop-shop for businesses to offer space, supplies, manpower and other resources that will help the NHS to tackle the outbreak.
I’ve been astounded by the response from our industry. We’ve only just officially launched and we’ve already had offers of face masks, operational support and even the foyer and kitchen facilities at The Bridge Theatre for storage and potentially food preparation.
We know the NHS is massively grateful for any support that it can get. Whether it’s a delivery of energy drinks and cake, or someone with experience volunteering their time to organise logistics, your help will make a difference.
Volunteer workforce
With the crisis looking like it will not be over anytime soon, we are looking to ramp up the support we can provide in the coming months. We want to engage with partners who have space available, both for the NHS and to support homeless people through this tough time, for example.
We’re also looking at the possibility of taking people who have had the virus and developed immunity to form a mobile volunteer workforce. This could involve supporting setting up some of the new spaces and also giving expertise on issues like logistics, which are only going to be put under more strain in the coming weeks and months.
And we might even look at setting up some virtual fundraising events. A Zoom virtual pub quiz for charity is just one idea.
This whole project is still in its very early days, but the response so far has been fantastic, and I think it’s underlined that the property industry is fundamentally a caring one that wants to give back to society.
Do Some Good is our way of helping ensure that all of this positive energy can be directed with minimum hassle to the right places and that our industry resources can be pooled effectively. The smallest amount of support can make a difference to someone, so please, whatever help you can offer, do.
Debra Yudolph is partner at SAY Property Consulting
