The RICS Pledge 150 initiative, launched January 2018 to celebrate the professional organisation’s 150th anniversary, aims to give back to communities across the UK with the support from the profession and its partners. The campaign has already raised thousands of pounds for LandAid, the charity that aims to end youth homelessness, and aims to deliver up to 150 bed spaces for vulnerable, young and homeless people across all 12 UK regions by December 2018. Twelve of these bed spaces will be situated in Scotland and delivered by charity partners.

Sleep in the Park is a nationwide mass sleep out event being held in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen on the 8 of December. Around 12,000 people will sleep out to raise money and awareness to end homelessness in Scotland.

The RICS team, including members of RICS Scotland Board and members of the wider profession, will join the Sleep in the Park event in Edinburgh, with 50% of their fundraising efforts going to LandAid and 50% to Social Bite.

RICS chief executive Sean Tompkins, said: “It’s time to stamp out homelessness, both in Scotland and the rest of the UK. As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, RICS in the UK is working to do just that. I am therefore delighted to be joining Social Bite’s Sleep in the Park initiative to raise awareness of the pernicious reality of rough sleeping and the work we are doing as an industry to combat it.

“All around the world, Chartered Surveyors have been using this anniversary year as a platform to talk about the profession’s positive impact on society and give back to their local communities. Through Pledge150 in Scotland, we are raising funds and sourcing unused property to give young people living on Scotland’s streets a second chance to find their feet and re-enter society. We recognise that a roof over your head is the beginning of many life changing opportunities and a source of wellbeing”

The funds raised by RICS in Scotland through the Sleep in the Park, and events across the country, will be divided between two Scottish charity partners, the first partner announced is YMCA Glenrothes.

The money will help the renovation of an empty three-bed terraced house or flat, to create three new bed spaces for young people to move on to from the charity’s fully supported hostel. The young tenants will receive support from an individual case worker to help them achieve a successful future. The charity also plans to provide training and volunteering opportunities for local unemployed people during the building work.

The Pledge 150 campaign has seen hundreds of activities organised by RICS staff and professionals across the UK, including auctions, sponsored walks and cycles, dinners and quiz nights since it was officially launched by HRH Princes William, Duke of Cambridge in January 2018.