Shelter @ Mirvac

The COVID-19 pandemic (and the resultant government-mandated lockdowns), significantly impacted many in retail. In response, our team developed Shelter@Mirvac, an initiative that focuses on leveraging our skills and capabilities, as well as our assets, to help those who need it most.

With a specific focus on providing temporary accommodation, food, and mental health support, Shelter@Mirvac has seen Mirvac establish a number of key relationships with for-impact businesses, including OzHarvest, Anglicare and headspace.

Our relationship with headspace has been particularly valuable, with Mirvac becoming a Career Mentoring Program Partner in September last year. At the height of the pandemic, studies showed that COVID-19 disproportionately affected young people and their optimism about their future.

The mentoring program sees 20 Mirvac employees meet online with a mentee every fortnight. They work on their career aspirations and goal setting, and are provided with real world insights to help develop their confidence and skills.

Being involved in the mentoring program has had benefits for the mentors too, including:

• a positive impact on the their professional skills;
• the development of new skills which they can apply in their day-to-day roles at Mirvac;
• increased knowledge and understanding of mental health; and
• higher workplace engagement.

A number of Mirvac retail assets have also helped headspace share their mental health messages and raise funds, particularly around Mental Health Week in October last year.

And for Mirvac, it’s helped raise awareness around the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.

“We’re proud to support Micah as we continue to help enrich the lives of those who are disadvantaged in the community,” Samantha Collins, Development Manager.

With our Retail business now part of the Integrated Investment Portfolio, the Shelter@Mirvac team will look at how it can extend its reach across Mirvac’s office, industrial and build to rent communities.

“Being a part of the mentoring program and being able to give back to the community has increased my sense of purpose and driven home how much I enjoy helping people. I know I will continue to do so in some way shape or form. We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” Mirvac Design Manager, Herwin Bunting-Sylvris.

MIRVAC’S IMPACT

• 21 young people mentored by Mirvac employees since October 2020
• 103 sessions delivered since October 2020
• 92% of young people being mentored through headspace say they feel more confident about their work future
• 18% of young people mentored live in regional Australia

Focus Area 

 Our Community

 Social Inclusion