As part of its Centenary Charity Partners programme, Mactaggart & Mickel has supported 1625 Independent People, a charity helping young people who are homeless, leaving care, or at risk of homelessness across Bristol, Gloucestershire, and the wider South West. The charity provides safe housing, wellbeing support, and opportunities to learn, train, and build confidence.

Colleagues, partners, and consultants took part in fundraising activities including a virtual quiz night and a Sleep Out at the Lloyds Amphitheatre in Bristol, giving up the comfort of their beds for one night to stand alongside young people facing housing instability. Thanks to their generosity, alongside donations from the Mickel Fund and the Mac Mic Foundation, the fundraising effort reached its £20,000 target.

The Sleep Out isn’t about pretending to be homeless, it’s about showing up for young people in a meaningful way. The evening was full of connection, reflection, and hope, with participants hearing powerful stories from 1625 staff and young people, and being inspired by the courage, creativity, and resilience of the young people themselves.

Highlights included the Street Dreams photography project, where young people worked with a local Bristol photographer to explore their dreams and ambitions, capturing them in both audio and print. The night also featured live performances from talented young people supported by 1625, including two original songs from the learning and participation programme, and a young musician who performed in public for the first time after teaching herself guitar last year.

The evening also included a high-energy performance by Break Out Voices, a Bristol-based choir known for their a cappella pop hits. Across the night, the stories, projects, and performances all showed how the right support can help young people build confidence, independence, and hope for the future.

Sleep Out participants included Director Andrew Mickel, Head of Group Communications & Engagement Jenny Harvie-Miller, and Regional Director Richard Kelso from Mac Mic Strategic Land. The event offered a first-hand insight into the challenges young people face, from unsafe housing to trauma and instability, and highlighted why long-term, supportive approaches are so important.

Andrew Mickel, Director, Mactaggart & Mickel, said:
“Taking part in the Sleep Out was a really powerful experience. Hearing directly from the team at 1625 Independent People and meeting some of the young people they support brought their work to life in a moving and inspiring way. Seeing a young rapper perform his original songs and Avery, who taught herself guitar last year, play an acoustic set really showcased the confidence and creativity 1625 helps young people build.”

Dom Wood, Chief Executive, 1625 Independent People, added:
"We are enormously grateful to Mactaggart & Mickel for their outstanding support. Travelling from Glasgow to Bristol to stand alongside young people, combined with their incredible donation and being able to meet in person whilst hearing young people's journeys really means so much to us. It is only through support like this that we can continue delivering vital services for young people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or leaving care.”

The Centenary Charity Partners programme is now in its final chapter, with Mactaggart & Mickel set to officially conclude its centenary celebrations on 28 February 2026.

Above: Back row (L–R): Avery (1625), Jenny Harvie-Miller (Mactaggart & Mickel), Richard Kelso (Mac Mic Strategic Land), Andrew Mickel (Mactaggart & Mickel), a young volunteer, Dom Wood (CEO, 1625 Independent People) and Naledi Withers (Community and Events Fundraiser, 1625 Independent People).