Projects
Impact
Report
2024-2025
The home for better business.
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Table of contents
1. Opening letter
2. The year in mini metrics
3. Governance
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Our mission and values
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Stakeholder engagement
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Inclusivity in coworking
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Our DEI declaration
4. Workers
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Learning and development
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Personal development
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Team culture
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What our team say
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Team diversity
5. Customers
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Member testimonials
6. Environment
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Sustainability at Projects
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Advocacy and thought leadership
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Suppliers and partners
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Engagement and partnerships
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Member perks and discounts
7. Thank you
Opening Letter
A message from our Managing Director, Alex Young, sharing the milestones, challenges, and aspirations that shape our mission to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and impactful community at Projects.
The year in mini metrics
Governance
Our mission
At Projects, our mission is to be a home for better business.
We create and operate inspiring spaces that make everyone feel included. With two beautiful buildings open in the heart of Brighton and many more set to open across the UK, Projects is proud to house a community of collaborative businesses.
We believe economic success can and should also have a positive impact on people and the planet. Through our spaces and programmes, we empower individuals and teams to reach their full potential, personally and professionally, within a supportive environment.
Our values
To inspire
The combination of our beautiful work spaces and our emphasis on personal and professional progression makes us a place where everyone feels inspired.
To include
Projects has always welcomed everybody. Teams and members here feel immediately included in this community, no matter their background or industry, interests or mission.
Stakeholder engagement
Engaging our stakeholders - team, members, partners, and the wider Brighton & Hove community - is key to driving positive change.
In September, we hosted our annual stakeholder event with Richard Freeman from the Brighton Paradox podcast, sparking important discussions about Brighton’s opportunities and challenges.
Opportunities
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A booming tech scene (Brighton AI’s 1,000-strong network)
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Sustainability efforts (University of Brighton’s checklist)
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Bold investment plans (Brilliant Brighton BID)
Challenges
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England’s highest homeless death rate
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Wage stagnation & gender pay gap
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Unaffordable housing & visitor impact (11.5M annually)
The event underscored both urgent issues and collective potential. To drive action, we’re forming targeted working groups and launching the Projects Ambassador Programme in 2025- empowering leaders in social impact, sustainability, and innovation.
Inclusivity in coworking
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every team member, coworking member and visitor feels valued.
Inclusive Communication
We’ve enhanced accessibility with clear signage, neurodiversity-friendly design, and bias-free language training.
Diversity in Leadership
Our team completed Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Training with Boxless and Watch This Sp_ce, embedding inclusivity in hiring, policies, and culture. We also launched the Projects DEI Declaration to reinforce our commitment to lasting change.
Community Impact
Through events, discussions, and mentorship, we amplify diverse voices, challenge industry norms, and drive action for a more equitable future.
Supportive Team Policies
We prioritise well-being with mental health sick days, complimentary team therapy, and a Wellbeing Hub to support a healthy work-life balance.
Our DEI declaration
At Projects, we are fully committed to increasing diversity and improving inclusion within our organisation.
We believe our purpose is to create spaces where everyone feels they belong. To achieve this, we’ve identified five key commitments to work on over the next 12 months:
Strategy: Develop a clear diversity and inclusion plan, improving our Ambassador Programme to ensure broad representation.
Spaces: Ensure our facilities are accessible, inclusive and adaptable to all needs, starting with a disability needs analysis.
Recruitment: Up our game on inclusive hiring practices and go outside the box to attract diverse candidates.
Education: Focus on ongoing learning and dialogue to foster lasting change.
Metrics: Use data to track progress and ensure accountability.
This declaration is fully supported by the entire Projects team. We are all aligned in the commitment to a more diverse and inclusive Projects and are being supported by Boxless, a strategic ESG & DEI consultancy.
Workers
Learning and development
Here’s all the training our team got up to in 2024...
Afternoon Tea Academy
Projects' Afternoon Tea Academy provided a range of learning sessions to support personal and professional development. Workshops covered topics such as Diversity and Inclusion, Personal Finance, Goal Setting, Health and Nutrition, and Coping with Rejection. Over the year, team members participated in 14 hours of structured learning, fostering growth and well-being.
Emergency First Aid & Fire Marshall Training
All Projects team members have completed or are undergoing Emergency First Aid at Work and Fire Marshall training off-site. This ensures everyone is equipped to respond effectively in emergencies, reinforcing workplace safety and preparedness.
Carbon Literacy training
All Projects team members have completed or are undergoing Carbon Literacy training with the Better Business Network. This equips them with the knowledge to understand climate issues, make informed decisions, and actively support our sustainability efforts.
ASIST suicide prevention
We've provided the ASIST suicide prevention course to all members of the Projects team, with half of our leadership team already attending. This training equips participants with practical skills to identify and support individuals at risk, demonstrating our dedication to mental health and fostering a safe workplace.
Personal development
The Personal Development Plan (PDP) empowers team members to achieve their career goals while aligning with our values of inspiration and inclusion. Through structured goal-setting, tailored development plans, and regular progress reviews, 100% of our team members have been supported in their personal growth and upskilling in 2024, fostering a culture of purposeful growth.
We also prioritise collaboration and improvement through an annual 360° review process, with all team members participating. This initiative provides balanced feedback, supporting professional development and ensuring our teams remain engaged, aligned, and empowered.
Charity Days
Giving back to our community is central to the Projects ethos. In 2024, our team dedicated 94 hours to volunteer activities with our Charity Partners, Trust for Developing Communities and TogetherCo, including:
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Befriending sessions with TogetherCo to provide social connection and support.
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Event support with TogetherCo to facilitate community initiatives.
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CV clinics with Trust for Developing Communities to help refugees create strong CVs.
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Interview clinics with Trust for Developing Communities to build confidence and skills for job interviews.
These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to fostering positive change and supporting our local community.
Team culture
Culture handbook
The Culture Handbook at Projects outlines our commitments to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace. It serves as a guide to our core values, principles, and approach to collaboration and support. This resource reinforces Projects' focus on respect, well-being, diversity, and continuous development, ensuring team members feel valued and empowered.
Team socials
In 2024 we hosted team socials to foster connection, including laser tag and dinner at Lucky Khao, a boat trip from Brighton Marina, dinner at Fato a Mano, and a meal at Med followed by karaoke at Lucky Voice.
DEI training
On 25th January, 100% of our team participated in a 2-hour DEI training session led by Mo from Watch This Sp_ce. The session offered practical strategies for fostering an inclusive, equitable workplace, reinforcing our commitment to a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Managing personal finance
We offered free financial support training to all team members through B Corp-certified Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth. These sessions provided valuable tools for managing personal finances effectively and planning for the future.
Benefits
We prioritise a workplace that fosters well-being and growth. We regularly review and benchmark our benefits against industry standards, including B Corp organisations, to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with best practices.
Key benefits include complimentary gym access, a personal development budget post-probation, free counselling via the Employee Assistance Programme, quarterly social events, and a bespoke upskilling programme tailored to individual roles.
We value team feedback and encourage suggestions to continually enhance the employee experience and maintain a positive workplace culture.
What our team say
In 2024, our team connected with groups like Brighton Chamber, B Lab/B Locals, Better Business Network, People Planet Pint, Silicon Brighton, University of Sussex, and Happy Freelancers. These partnerships keep our team aligned with industry developments and promote continuous learning and shared expertise.
Team Survey Highlights
Team Gender Split
In May 2024, we conducted our annual team survey to assess satisfaction and workplace culture. Key findings include:
A One Show segment filmed at Projects looking at the work of Exceptional Individuals featuring our Managing Director Alex.
Team diversity
Exceptional Individuals
Projects partners with Exceptional Individuals to provide our team with comprehensive resources, training, and support tailored to neurodiversity needs.
This collaboration offers free access to workshops, training sessions, and tailored resources that help team members understand and integrate neurodiverse practices effectively.
The support ensures that our team’s neurodiversity needs are met where required, fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse thinking and talents.
This initiative underscores Projects’ commitment to supporting all team members and enabling them to contribute fully in a supportive and empowering workplace.
Customers
Member testimonials
Bud Johnston, Boxless
“Working with the team at Projects has been a great experience, enabling us at Boxless to focus on delivering our best work. Their collaborative approach and dedication to sustainability align perfectly with our values. Through our consultancy efforts, we’ve seen firsthand how they truly prioritise excellence and culture, making it easier for us to help organisations thrive in alignment with ESG and DEI principles. It's been a pleasure to contribute to such impactful projects!”
Environment
Sustainability at Projects
Sustainability Efforts in 2024
In 2024, we made big strides in sustainability. From earning our B Corp certification in January to introducing smart thermostats, solar panels, and renewable electricity sourcing, we’ve been actively progressing on our Net Zero journey. We adopted zero-to-landfill policies, switched to eco-friendly practices like using recycled materials and non-toxic cleaning products, and installed low-flow showers. To support sustainable transport, we also expanded bike storage.
We also proudly signed the Better Business Act, reinforcing our commitment to putting people and the planet at the heart of our business decisions.
Our Better Nature Campaign engaged members in cutting energy and water use while boosting recycling efforts. Plus, for every new member, we planted a tree to help offset our carbon footprint.
Sustainability Goals for 2025
Looking ahead, we’re staying committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030. Some ways we'll be working towards this are:
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Smarter Carbon Tracking - We’re integrating our accounting software with Sumday to better measure and manage our carbon footprint.
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Sustainable Upgrades - Instead of replacing office furniture, we’ll upcycle and repurpose pieces to extend their lifespan and reduce waste.
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Energy Efficiency Investments - We’re making significant upgrades to our building’s heating and cooling systems to improve efficiency and lower energy consumption.
In 2024, we published insightful blogs sharing our B Corp experience and highlighted stories from other certified businesses like Fulkers Bailey Russell, Groundsure, and Driftime Media.
We hosted sessions and webinars on key topics including sustainability, diversity, neurodiversity, and accessibility, engaging both our community and industry leaders.
We collaborated with B Corp-certified flexible workspaces, such as X+Y and Runway East, to further promote values aligned with purpose-driven business practices.
Advocacy and thought leadership
We are committed to using our platform to advocate for sustainability, inclusivity, and the future of work. As a B Corp-certified business, we are dedicated to sharing our journey and contributing to broader conversations around purpose-driven business practices. Our mission includes fostering collaborations with fellow B Corps to promote sustainability across the flexible workspace sector and beyond.
Suppliers and partners
We believe in the power of collaboration to drive positive environmental change. By working with like-minded partners and suppliers, we ensure our spaces are filled with products that align with our sustainability goals. In 2024, we strengthened our relationships with eco-conscious companies to provide our members with sustainable alternatives that help reduce waste and promote environmental responsibility.
Who you'll see in our spaces
We’ve partnered with brands like Miniml, Redroaster, DAME, Oatly, Arla Cravendale, Who Gives A Crap, Wonky Coffee, Truestart Coffee, and Lucent Paper Towels, ensuring that all products used in our spaces are eco-friendly.
In 2025 we want to...
Strengthen Partnerships
We’ll continue to deepen our relationships with sustainable suppliers and expand our network with businesses focused on reducing environmental footprints.
Regular Supplier Reviews
We will regularly assess and update our supplier list to ensure alignment with our B Corp values and environmental targets.
Explore New Sustainable Solutions
We’re committed to exploring additional products and services, such as compostable office supplies and carbon-neutral shipping, to further reduce our carbon footprint.
Engagement and partnerships
Community engagement is at the heart of our mission to foster sustainable business practices. In 2024, we facilitated numerous events and forged impactful partnerships to support local networks and champion social and environmental change.
This year we...
In 2025 we want to...
Expand Event Calendar
We’ll broaden our community events to offer more workshops, training, and networking opportunities focused on sustainability and inclusivity.
Strengthen Partnerships
We aim to deepen our existing partnerships and establish new collaborations to enhance the local economy's impact on sustainability.
Launch New Initiatives
We’ll introduce community-driven projects and campaigns that create economic value while prioritising social and environmental sustainability.
Member perks and discounts
We are committed to offering valuable perks that not only enhance the member experience but also promote sustainability. In 2024, we partnered with local businesses to provide eco-conscious services and discounts, helping our members make sustainable choices in both their business and personal lives.
This year we...
In 2025 we want to...
Expand Event Calendar
We’ll broaden our community events to offer more workshops, training, and networking opportunities focused on sustainability and inclusivity.
Strengthen Partnerships
We aim to deepen our existing partnerships and establish new collaborations to enhance the local economy's impact on sustainability.
Launch New Initiatives
We’ll introduce community-driven projects and campaigns that create economic value while prioritising social and environmental sustainability.
