Four years of impact: how Canada Water Connect is securing local careers
Four years of impact: how Canada Water Connect is securing local careers
As Canada Water Connect marks its fourth anniversary, British Land and ELBA are confirming their commitment to continue and expand the programme through to at least 2028. The next two years will see them build on the foundations laid down since 2022, ensuring that opportunity continues to be shared by those who live, work and spend time here.
British Land and ELBA have worked in partnership for many years but over the last four years a key focus has been the Canada Water Connect programme.
Designed to connect the opportunities generated by development with the communities around it, Canada Water Connect – part of British Land’s Thriving Places Strategy and programme – works behind the scenes to bring together residents, local organisations, supply chain partners and building occupiers with the aim of leveraging job opportunities for local residents.
Delivered by an ELBA team based at Canada Water, over 170 previously unemployed people have moved into employment lasting six months or more, many in roles linked directly to activity at Canada Water and with all positions paid the London Living Wage.
Hundreds of local people have also been supported through benefits advice, confidence-building and skills development, helping them access long-term work, supported by an ELBA team.
And, there are benefits for community partners and education institutions too.
Since its launch in 2022, Canada Water Connect has worked with more than 50 organisations – including community groups, schools, CICs and charities – to enable funding, access to space and support through skills-based volunteering, at the same time as brokering new connections.
What distinguishes Canada Water Connect is how these activities come together. Early engagement with young people – including partnerships with local schools – helps demystify change in the area, build foundational skills, and develop a pipeline of future talent ready to access opportunities as they emerge in the years ahead.
Freddie Broadhurst, Senior Social Impact Manager at British Land, said:
“Canada Water Connect is about making the Canada Water Masterplan work in practical ways for the people and organisations in and around it. Four years on, we’re seeing that impact compound over time, and we’re excited about what comes next.”
Kita Berman van Heerden, Strategic Lead at ELBA, added:
“At Canada Water Connect, our driving force remains rooted in ELBA’s core social mission: ensuring that large-scale regeneration translates into real, measurable prosperity for local people. By securing this partnership through to 2028, we can scale our local approach, improving accessibility to great careers, supporting incredible community organisations, and ensuring that local people directly benefit from Canada Water’s growth.”
If you are a Canada Water or Southwark-based business or live locally and want to get involved, get in touch at [email protected].
[Image from The First 100 exhibition – Canada Water Masterplan]
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