Proud@Nestlé partners with Stonewall Housing to support LGBT+ communities facing homelessness

Proud@Nestlé Launches Landmark Charity Partnership with Stonewall Housing to Support LGBT+ Community Beyond the Workplace

Proud@Nestlé, Nestlé UK and Ireland’s internal LGBT+ employee network, has launched a pioneering new charity partnership with Stonewall Housing, the UK’s leading charity supporting LGBT+ people facing homelessness or unsafe living conditions.

The charity partnership marks the first time a Nestlé colleague network has formally partnered with a charity, signalling a significant milestone in the company’s diversity and inclusion journey.

The charity partnership extends Proud@Nestlé’s work beyond the company’s internal walls, as members step up with hands-on volunteering, fundraising initiatives, and awareness campaigns. It officially kicked off in July 2025 with a volunteering day, where network members transformed the garden of a Stonewall Housing residence into a vibrant and welcoming space for its residents.

“You plan something, you hope it works – and then you’re there, digging and planting with colleagues, and you realise, this is what community looks like,” said Al Burgess, Co-Lead for External Partnerships at Proud@Nestlé. “It was a privilege to do it with Stonewall Housing.”

Choosing a Charity That Reflects the Whole Community

The colleague network’s external partnership leads, Al Burgess and Heather Kennedy, were determined to align with an organisation that supports the full diversity of the LGBT+ community.

“We looked at a lot of organisations,” said Kennedy. “But many focused on just one part of the community. Stonewall Housing stood out because they support everyone – from trans and non-binary people to older LGBT+ people and people of colour. That inclusivity was non-negotiable for us.”

Founded in 1983, Stonewall Housing offers a lifeline to LGBT+ people across the UK through services including supported accommodation, mental health and domestic abuse support, and substance misuse counselling. With demand for services at an all-time high, the charity sees the new charity partnership as both timely and transformative.

“More LGBTQ+ people than ever are reaching out to us in crisis,” said Claire Linacre-Hilton, Director of Development at Stonewall Housing. “Partnerships like this are vital. They help us raise the funds and awareness we need to ensure that when someone turns to us, we’re there with expert advice, advocacy, and a route to safety.”

A Natural Next Step

The partnership builds on Proud@Nestlé’s longstanding work to foster safe, inclusive spaces within Nestlé. For Liz Ho, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Nestlé UK and Ireland, the move to extend that work externally was a logical progression.

“Proud@Nestlé has made great strides in supporting the LGBT+ community internally, and it felt like a natural next step to extend that support externally,” said Ho. “Stonewall Housing’s mission aligns perfectly with our network’s commitment to creating safe spaces. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Commitment

With a three-year roadmap and quarterly reviews in place, the charity partnership is set to grow in both scope and impact. The network plans to involve more teams across Nestlé, educate colleagues on the challenges facing LGBT+ people, and increase hands-on support for the charity’s work.

“This is more than just giving back,” said Kennedy. “It’s about standing alongside a community we’re part of. Stonewall Housing isn’t just an organisation we’re supporting—they’re supporting us too.”

Burgess added:

“We’re a global company, but we’re also deeply rooted in our local communities. This partnership is about showing up, listening, and using our voice to amplify the work of those already leading the way.”

As the charity partnership enters its first full year, both Proud@Nestlé and Stonewall Housing are looking ahead with shared purpose - and a belief that meaningful change starts with showing up, rolling up sleeves, and working together in partnership.