Why is community engagement important?

At Rendall & Rittner, community engagement sits at the heart of what we do. It is more than a complement to our property management services; it has become a defining feature of our approach. The wide range of initiatives that come under our community engagement umbrella are all part of our central purpose to facilitate truly connected communities where residents are proud to live.

Our approach to community engagement has evolved into a cornerstone of our business. Through programmes such as our Residents’ Club, community events, charity partnerships and environmental initiatives, we provide a means to help foster meaningful connections between neighbours, improve wellbeing and encourage residents to take an active role in shaping the communities they call home.

Community engagement is an embedded part of the services we offer as a managing agent. We have also developed a successful framework for community events meaning residents can increasingly take ownership of events and initiatives, creating a self-sustaining cycle of participation and pride. This collaborative spirit boosts communication between residents and our management teams, leading to improved resident satisfaction.

We were delighted that the success of this approach was recognised externally when we were awarded The Property Institute’s Resident Engagement Initiative of the Year at the annual ACE Awards for the last two years. These awards reflect the dedication of our teams in enhancing the experience of our residents. They also acknowledge the focus we put on communication around key issues that affect residents from building safety and façade remediation to sustainability and the cost of living.

Building connected communities

Our dedicated Community Engagement Manager has helped champion initiatives that have transformed residential schemes into thriving hubs of activity and connection. Together with our Operations Team and on-site staff, they coordinate a diverse and engaging calendar of events throughout the year.

The events vary in scale – from informal summer drinks parties to larger partnership events like the Formula One simulator days we’ve hosted alongside Sky, all sharing the purpose of bringing people together. There are also events themed around regular seasonal fixtures including Halloween and Christmas celebrations and Recycling Week. Major community events hosted at some of our largest schemes such as Royal Arsenal Riverside and Kidbrooke Village attract hundreds of participants.

At this time of the year, we have been delivering and supporting on a variety of festive events. This has included a Christmas carol and mulled wine evening, live brass band and even hosting Father Christmas at a very special Santa’s Grotto.

What is particularly rewarding is seeing how our successful events framework has empowered residents to take the lead themselves. Across many of our developments, we are now collaborating with residents looking to organise their own activities. From gardening clubs to cinema nights, our teams help facilitate a wide range of resident-led initiatives and provide support in their organisation. These activities not only strengthen community ties but also contribute to broader social benefits, such as enhanced security, reduced crime and increased social value.

A standout initiative that sets Rendall & Rittner apart is our Residents’ Club. This unique programme gives residents at all of our London developments access to exclusive offers, discounts and experiences, from theatre trips to exhibitions and leisure activities. It’s free to join and has become a popular way for residents to enjoy the best of city living while connecting with others. The Club also supports local economies by partnering with on-site businesses looking to promote their products and services in the local community, as well as working with nearby businesses and venues.

Supporting good causes

As well as benefitting residents, we also focus on the wider community and environmental impact of our initiatives. Many of our programmes are designed to support sustainability and social value commitments, helping our developer partners achieve meaningful long-term impact.

A key example is our partnership with the White Rose clothing collection banks, which encourage residents to donate unwanted clothes instead of sending them to landfill. In 2025 alone, these collections diverted almost 21kg of clothing from waste, offsetting over 78,279kg of CO₂ emissions. We also collect and repurpose abandoned bicycles, which are refurbished by Recycle Your Cycle – a charity supporting ex-prisoner rehabilitation through practical employment and skill-building.

Charitable giving is another vital pillar of our engagement strategy. We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. Now in its 11th year, we have recently completed our annual toy donation initiative. This Christmas, we have reached record levels, collecting over £34,000 worth of gifts. Our toy donation initiative has collected a total of £195,000 since its inception.

Driving better communication

Delivering comprehensive community engagement is also about communicating effectively on issues that truly affect residents’ lives. Safety is one of our highest priorities and our Health & Safety team provides residents with regular, clear updates on fire safety and the evolving requirements of the Building Safety Act. Through newsletters, factsheets and broadcasts, we ensure residents stay informed and feel supported.

Where façade remediation projects are in progress, our teams provide development-specific updates and host face-to-face meetings where needed. These conversations help maintain trust and ensure residents feel heard and involved throughout the process.

Ultimately, we’re not just managing buildings – we’re cultivating places for people to thrive and feel they belong. We believe that our commitment to fostering engaged, sustainable and inclusive communities adds real value for everyone: residents, leaseholders, landlords, developers and the wider community.

Stewart Brown, Operations Director, Rendall & Rittner 

 

Originally shared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-community-engagement-important-rendall-rittner-limited-35j9e/