Our community mission
Our community mission
We widen access to, and progress in, careers in property and the built environment for young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds — and we do it in ways that actually shift outcomes.
Not one‑off talks. Not unpaid work. Not tick‑box inclusion.
Real pathways. Real support. Paid opportunities.
Real pathways. Real support. Paid opportunities.
Why this matters
Why this matters
Career pipeline & professional support
Career pipeline & professional support
The career path in the property sector is broken. Those who are not from white, middle-class backgrounds struggle to find a foothold. We provide structured support across all educational stages, from secondary schools and sixth forms to post-graduate levels, through work placements, apprenticeships and internships, support to gain professional qualifications, career workshops and networking events.
Industry reform
Industry reform
As a new breed of campaigning company, we are dedicated to challenging the ‘pale, male, and stale’ status quo of the industry. Diversity must mean more than swapping one gender for another, or token hires of underrepresented communities; it’s about opening up routes to successful careers for people who have, until now, been ignored, excluded or discriminated against, either because they are from the ‘wrong’ class, been in care, disabled, LGBTQ+ or neurodiverse.
Fairness & lived experience
Fairness & lived experience
Teams in charge of creating places and communities – including major public building projects, schools, hospitals, and housing – should reflect the communities they serve.
We believe that challenging deep-rooted, outdated attitudes will lead to industry-leading inclusion and benefit both the sector and society as a whole.
How we work
How we work
Common Ground exists to create a more inclusive, equitable and socially responsible future in the built environment and property sectors.
We want to help lay foundations, build careers and open up the industry for the first time to all those who are currently excluded by an established elitist culture.
Removing barriers to progress
Removing barriers to progress
We create paid internships and placements – because access shouldn’t depend on who can afford to work for free.
We also provide practical support with qualifications and the APC, helping people navigate professional gateways where structural barriers and drop‑off are still common.
We create paid internships and placements – because access shouldn’t depend on who can afford to work for free.
We also provide practical support with qualifications and the APC, helping people navigate professional gateways where structural barriers and drop‑off are still common.
Mentoring & coaching
Mentoring & coaching
A structured network that makes the invisible visible — careers, qualifications, progression and professional culture – “the rules”.
We will also support upskilling the public sector property profession through networking, mentoring and sponsorship that build capability, confidence and progression.
A structured network that makes the invisible visible — careers, qualifications, progression and professional culture – “the rules”.
We will also support upskilling the public sector property profession through networking, mentoring and sponsorship that build capability, confidence and progression.
Work experience & outreach
Work experience & outreach
Targeted, supported and valuable experiences for young people who don’t have existing professional networks.
Targeted, supported and valuable experiences for young people who don’t have existing professional networks.
From student to CEO networking
From student to CEO networking
National events that connect students and early professionals directly to real people, real roles and real opportunities — without gatekeeping.
National events that connect students and early professionals directly to real people, real roles and real opportunities — without gatekeeping.
But, we are about more than sourcing a week-long placement. We are there for the long run, through the placement, advocating for an apprenticeship, supporting at university, ensuring and even financing a summer internship, making introductions for post graduate jobs and preparing individuals for success in chosen qualifications and chartership.
We set out to give the rules of the game to those who need them and support in navigating these paths with clarity and with financial support where needed.
We help our candidates build their Network for Life.
But, we are about more than sourcing a week-long placement. We are there for the long run, through the placement, advocating for an apprenticeship, supporting at university, ensuring and even financing a summer internship, making introductions for post graduate jobs and preparing individuals for success in chosen qualifications and chartership.
We set out to give the rules of the game to those who need them and support in navigating these paths with clarity and with financial support where needed.
We help our candidates build their Network for Life.
Demolishing Barriers - Building Careers
Who we support
People excluded by economic disadvantage
People facing class barriers
Care-experienced young people
Those from underrepresented ethnic groups
Disabled and neurodivergent individuals
LGBTQ+ young people
Who we support
People excluded by economic disadvantage
People facing class barriers
Care-experienced young people
Those from underrepresented ethnic groups
Disabled and neurodivergent individuals
LGBTQ+ young people
The impact we’re working towards