WLM and the Pret Foundation, an internationally registered charity set up in 1995 by the founders of Pret A Manger, have joined forces to launch 'The Pret House at WLM St Luke's', a new project designed to provide the homeless with accommodation, employment and advice. 

​

This initiative celebrates 10-years of the Pret Foundation's Rising Stars programme and ties two organisations dedicated to working against homelessness and it's causes. Pret A Manger has supported homeless people for over 30 years, by giving away unsold food to homeless shelters across the country, with over 3 million items donated each year; whilst WLM has worked for over 130 years, to empower people affected by homelessness, poverty and trauma to make positive changes in their lives. 

​

The Pret House at WLM St. Luke’s is located in London, where there are consistently the highest levels of rough sleeping in the UK. It will accommodate up to 13 people at a time, who will live there for 6-12 months before moving into a privately rented home. The ambition is to help at least 20 ex-homeless off the streets by the end of the year. WLM will provide a service with a focus on financial resilience and providing accommodation with support where residents will be paying rent monthly at an affordable rate relative to their wages. They will have their own private room and will receive advice from WLM on how to get a bank account, save for a deposit, as well as develop wider literacy and computer skills. They will also join the Rising Stars programme, working in Pret shops nearby.

​

Clive Schlee, CEO of Pret, commented: “Ever since Pret opened its first shop in London, helping the homeless has been part of our promise to our customers and the communities in which we operate. We set up the Pret Foundation with the singular purpose of breaking the cycle of homelessness, and to do that, we believe that people need three things: food, employment and shelter. The opening of the Pret House at WLM St Luke’s is the next evolution in our efforts to help the ex-homeless live their lives independently. It’s been a five-year project in the making, and we’re hoping it will have a meaningful impact on our Rising Stars and the wider community.”

​

Roger Clark, WLM’s interim CEO, said: "The values and services of WLM are built on the foundation of continual transformation for those we serve since 1887. We are committed to delivery excellence, as we strive to empower others to lead fulfilling lives. We do this through a commitment to transparency, based on the worth of every person whatever challenge they face.

"Launching Pret House at WLM St Luke’s is an exciting new partnership between WLM and the Pret Foundation with our shared vision of ending homelessness. We really believe in the positive difference it will make for individuals and the community."