The Rare Foundation

“Our belief is that everyone - regardless of what they look like, believe in, how their body serves them, who they love, or how they identify - should be respected, safe, and have equal access to opportunities, high standards of service, and bright futures. ”

Our Foundation

Our Foundation is one of the many ways we bring our philosophy to life, and is a symbol of integrity not just within Rare, but to inspire our sector to do better. Borne out of a personal experience of injustice, we created the foundation and use our own money to support victims of unethical practice within the property and construction industry. You can read the story behind our conception here.

Our belief is that everyone - regardless of what they look like, believe in, how their body serves them, who they love, or how they identify - should be respected, safe, and have equal access to opportunities, high standards of service, and bright futures. Our Foundation offers subsidised professional mentoring for underrepresented groups in the sector, or people who may be more at risk of encountering an invisible glass ceiling simply because of who they are.

We also offer subsidised rates for our disabled adaptations and smart home design services for people needing help to make their home fit around disability, health or mobility issues and who are in financial hardship. This includes subsidised rates for planning consultancy if the home design requires planning permission.

We believe everyone has the right to feel and be safe in their home, and we stand against domestic abuse, and gender-based violence against women and girls. Our Foundation offers subsidised rates to victims and survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence, whether it’s smart home design to help you feel safer in your home, or helping you settle into a new home you’ve moved into to be safe again through our interior design or adaptations and home modifications service. We proudly stand with community organisations and advocacy groups to support and empower victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

We are a small business, and we use our own money to fund the Foundation. Whilst we’d love to help everyone who comes to us, we do have a limited number of cases we can support, simply because of the limited money available. We do operate a waiting list and will help as many people as we can.

Take a look at what our Foundation offers, and if you think one of these apply to you then get in touch and we can explore how we can help you.

We are for...

  • Women in property and construction

    Property and construction is a male-dominated industry and women are significantly underrepresented, though we're happy it is a growing demographic group. We support women in or aspiring to join the sector through our professional mentoring service.

  • The next generation

    Our mentoring service seeks to support and empower the next generation. If you are under 25 and studying for or aspiring to have a career in the housing, property and construction industry, our mentors can help prepare you for the incredible career that lies ahead.

  • Supporting an ethnically diverse sector

    We want to support our sector becoming more ethnically and culturally diverse, and a thriving environment that is free from discrimination and bias. If you belong to an ethnically or culturally underrepresented group, our mentoring service is designed for you.

  • Disability inclusion

    We want to help dismantle any barriers to people with disabilities or physical differences from thriving in the sector. Whether your disability is hidden or presenting, and whether you're in the sector or interesting in joining, our mentors are here to support your professional growth.

  • Career changes into the industry

    It is never too late to change your career path, and switching professions later in your career can give companies an invaluable mix of experience and skill. If you're over 50 and have decided to join the industry and need some support settling in, you may benefit from our mentoring service.

  • LGBTQ+ inclusion

    Who you love or how you identify does not determine your talent, and should not stop you from accessing the career heights you want and deserve. Whether you're already in the sector or looking to join, our mentors can support you with your professional development.

  • Survivors of domestic abuse

    Sometimes abuse survivors have to take the brave and considerable step to move to a new home for their safety. Whether you have moved or not, our subsidised rates on home design, interior design, and adaptation services can help you resettle, feel safe, and at home again.

  • Victims of unethical practice

    A personal experience of unethical practice within the property and construction sector is what inspired the creation of our Rare Foundation. Now, we pay it forward and help other victims of unethical practice, and offer subsidised rates to those who have to unfairly 'pay twice'.

  • Disabled adaptations

    We have extensive experience of designing disabled adaptations and home modifications to help make the property suitable for the needs of you or your family, and our Foundation offers subsidised rates to people needing these services and who are in financial hardship.

  • Smart Home Design

    Sometimes our needs change over time, and smart home design can help make your home fit around your disability or health needs, so you can stay in the home you love. Our Foundation offers subsidised rates to people needing these services and who are in financial hardship.

Support for domestic abuse survivors

Everyone deserves to feel and be safe in their home, and the harm caused to victims and families impacted by domestic abuse can never be overestimated.

As part of making a stand against domestic abuse, we offer subsidised rates for smart home design, interior design and adaptations services to help survivors back on their feet and to make their house a home.  

Our Protecting People policy is in place to identify and support victims of domestic abuse, gender-based violence, and any other safeguarding concerns, and our work through the Foundation is one of the ways we make a stand against abuse. We work proudly with community organisations and advocacy services to stamp out abuse and support survivors in reclaiming their lives.

Domestic abuse impacts both genders, though we know around 84% of victims are female (source, Refuge Charity). As a 50% female-operated business, we can make sure a female looks after your case if this is important in helping you feel safer and more at ease. Where this is the preference, but where the team member who is the best or most qualified person to deliver the service in question is male, we can arrange for a female to also be present, or we can work with you in advance so you can have a trusted advocate with you. Equally, any male domestic abuse survivors who feel safer and more comfortable with men can request male-only attendance.

Our eligibility guidance shares information on the cases we can help with. We accept referrals from professional organisations such as domestic abuse charities and advocacy organisations, local authorities, and registered providers.

We are sorry if you ever need this service, but please know that you are not alone. You can find some incredible 24/7 support below, and you can get help no matter what your situation. 

  • You have experienced domestic abuse

    You own your own home and/or are authorised to instruct our services for your home

    Any adaptation, modification or safety redesign requirement is in an area demised to you, and not forming part of a communal or shared area or space

    Your case can be referred to us through a professional organisation such as a domestic abuse charity and advocacy organisation, local authority, or registered provider

    You have not received a subsided rate or support from us before through the Foundation

    You have not/will not be receiving funding or support for this service from elsewhere, such as through a statutory or voluntary local services or charities

  • Though not essential criteria, priority will be given to those in financial hardship or those who would otherwise struggle to afford to pay for these services

  • The resources and support set out on the Citizen's Advice Bureau website is extensive, and provides tens of charities, organisations and services designed to help those impacted by abuse. With tailored support for women, men, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people, there is help for everyone, and you are not alone.

    Domestic violence and abuse - getting help - Citizens Advice

  • We are a small business, and we use our own money to fund the Foundation. Whilst we’d love to help everyone who comes to us, we do have a limited number of cases we can support, simply because of the limited money available. This may mean even eligible cases are not accepted, though we do operate a waiting list and will help as many people as we can. Thank you for your understanding.

Victims of unethical practice

Fortunately there are many talented people and organisations in the industry, and the majority of people have a positive experience with their contractor. However, between the cracks, there are a small number of contractors who take advantage of innocent customers, and exploit the lack of tight regulation and legislation in the commercial property and construction sector. 

We want to help people who have fallen victim of unethical practice for services in the areas of architectural design, planning consultancy, and property surveying. If you put your trust in a contractor and paid for a service, and either did not receive the service at all or received such poor work that you will have to commission the work again, then this service is designed for you. 

Take a read of the story that inspired our Foundation to be set up, and have a look at our eligibility guidance below. If this resonates with you and you think we can help you, please contact us and tell us what happened to you and what service you are looking for, and we will be in touch to see how we can help.

  • You have been the victim of unethical practice from a business or contractor providing residential design and planning services or building surveying and investigation

    You experienced financial loss as a result of the unethical practice, and you are able to this

    You own your own home and are authorised to instruct our services for your home

     You are coming to us as an individual for a personal case relating to your own home, and not as, or on behalf of, a business or organisation  

    You require one of the following services that we provide: architectural design, planning consultancy, or surveying

    You have not received a subsided rate or support from us before through the Foundation

    Your case is not more than 5 years old or relating to a former residence

    You have not/will not be receiving compensation or refunded monies from the business or contractor, whether through a voluntary refund or court ordered, such as a small claims court

    You have exhausted all available routes to get your money refunded from the business or contractor, with no success

  • Though not essential criteria, priority will be given to those in financial hardship or those who would otherwise struggle to afford the fee

  • We are a small business, and we use our own money to fund the Foundation. Whilst we’d love to help everyone who comes to us, we do have a limited number of cases we can support, simply because of the limited money available. This may mean even eligible cases are not accepted, though we do operate a waiting list and will help as many people as we can. Thank you for your understanding.

Supporting adaptations and home design

We offer subsidised rates for clients in financial hardship who have home redesign, adaptations, and accessibility requirements due to disability, mobility, and certain other health conditions. We also welcome applications from people with, or people with family members with, neurodiversity.

Sometimes our needs change over time, but our love and attachment to our home remains. In these cases, we want our home to change with us, such as through adaptations, reconfiguration and smart design solutions. These solutions can be lifechanging, and we have the pleasure of being able to help people and families remain in the home they love. 

 We help find the best solution to ensure your home offers the best space for your situation. This could be making changes to better meet disability, health or mobility needs, or to support neurodiversity. Take a look at some examples in our portfolio. 

Depending on your situation, we may need to work in collaboration with your GP, Healthcare Professional, Occupational Therapist, or other relevant professional service. This is exclusively consent-based, and primarily for health and medical cases where - for optimum and safe results - we need to combine our property and design expertise with the expertise of an appropriate healthcare professional or team.

Take a look at our eligibility guidance. If you think we can help you, please contact us and tell us what your current situation is and what your needs are, and what service you are looking for from us, and we will be in touch to see how we can help.

  • You have a home redesign requirement such as reconfiguration, adaptation, or accessibility support due to a disability, mobility, or certain other health conditions affecting you or a family member you live with permanently

    You are in financial hardship or are unable to pay or will struggle to afford the full fee

    You own your own home and are authorised to instruct our services for your home

    Any adaptation or modification is in an area demised to you, and not forming part of a communal or shared area or space

    You are coming to us as an individual for a personal case relating to your own home, and not as, or on behalf of, a business or organisation

    You have not received a subsided rate or support from us before through the Foundation

    You have not/will not be receiving funding or support for this service from elsewhere, such as through a statutory or voluntary local services or charities

  • There are no non-essential criteria for this service, so if you meet the essential criteria then we're happy to consider your case.

  • We are a small business, and we use our own money to fund the Foundation. Whilst we’d love to help everyone who comes to us, we do have a limited number of cases we can support, simply because of the limited money available. This may mean even eligible cases are not accepted, though we do operate a waiting list and will help as many people as we can. Thank you for your understanding.

Professional Mentoring

Professional mentoring is a dynamic partnership designed to foster personal and career development. We believe in the power of mentoring, and connecting experienced professionals with those seeking guidance to cultivate personal growth, create a culture of collaboration, and enrich the professional community.

Our mentors have combined decades in the industry, and are passionate about sharing their network, their experience and life lessons, and knowledge and insights that could help improve the confidence of those looking for some guidance. Having been mentees as well as mentors, we recognise the power that mentoring has in unlocking potential and nurturing talent.

We offer subsidised rates for these services under our Rare Foundation, specialising in support for underrepresented groups within the housing, property and construction sectors. We want to help smash the glass ceiling that gets in the way of talented, deserving people who face risk of bias or discrimination because of who they are. We want to encourage an ethnically and culturally diverse sector, and one where people with disabilities, differences, or those belonging to LGBTQ+ groups, are included as much as their peers. We want to help ensure the new generation of young professionals have their potential unleashed, and to recognise the skill, experience and value in those more advanced in their career journey. 

If you are interested in mentoring services for you or your business, get in touch with us to talk about how we can help. We also welcome interest from experienced professionals who would like to pay it forward and join our mentoring programme, particularly through our Foundation.

  • You are an existing or aspiring professional within the property, construction and housing industry, and are over the age of 18

    You are in an underrepresented group or at an increased risk of having a glass ceiling, for example because of your race, religious beliefs, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation

    You are a woman in an underrepresented area of the industry, for example, in construction

    You are under 25 and in a junior role within the sector and looking to develop, or you are an aspiring professional studying in or looking to join the sector

    You are over 50 and an aspiring professional looking to join the sector as part of a new career change

    You have not received a subsided rate or support from us before through the Foundation

    You have not/will not be receiving funding or support for this service from elsewhere, such as through a statutory or voluntary local services or charities

  • Though not essential criteria, priority will be given to those in financial hardship or those who would otherwise struggle to afford to pay for private mentoring services

  • We are a small business, and we use our own money to fund the Foundation. Whilst we’d love to help everyone who comes to us, we do have a limited number of cases we can support, simply because of the limited money available. This may mean even eligible cases are not accepted, though we do operate a waiting list and will help as many people as we can. Thank you for your understanding.

Professional Mentoring Portfolio

  • Anil Rana's Inspiring Story

    Anil Rana, Mentee & Mentor

    Every mentoring story is inspirational, but Anil’s is particularly inspiring because he went onto become a mentor himself and would later win the prestigious RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Award for the Mentor category in 2016. Rare mentor, Raymond, mentored Anil for many years, supporting his journey from when he recruited Anil as an Assistant Surveyor, through to seeing him achieve a First Class Honours Degree in Building Surveying at Southbank University, through to going onto get Chartered. Raymond's philosophy has always been to share knowledge and wisdom, which he considers to be an ethical duty as an experienced Chartered Surveyor. He helped Anil unleash his potential onto the sector through professional mentoring, and he has gone onto have a blazing career, including being recognised as the youngest FRICS in Africa and being an award-winning, global success in the RICS community. Anil wanted to pay it forward, and has gone onto mentor himself. To date, he has helped an impressive 130+ people get chartered, across 16 countries and 5 continents. We proudly use Anil’s story as a case study for our Rare mentor, Raymond, and as a testament to the power of mentoring.

  • G15 Accelerate Programme

    Carlene, Mentee

    Carlene was mentored by her mentor, Claire, who was s a volunteer sponsor of the prestigious G15 Accelerate programme. The G15 Accelerate is a high calibre Chartered Management Institute leadership development programme introduced in 2020 as part of the G15 Diversity Pledge, and exclusively for people from ethnic minority (global ethnic majority) groups working in the housing sector.

    Carlene and Claire were matched, and they engaged in a fulfilling mentoring journey for around 18 months. Carlene passed the course with flying colours, and her feedback reflected the value of professional mentoring and how much she took from it.

    Carlene shares that 'Claire's support and mentoring sessions really helped provide insight and perspective through the harder parts of the journey.'

    Carlene is not pictured for her privacy, and we use a pseudonym to protect her identity while we share her story.

  • Registered Housing Provider, London

    Adriana, Mentee

    Adriana was mentored by her mentor, Claire, for around a year. Adriana had reached out for professional mentoring to build her confidence and for professional growth. Adriana is extremely experienced, with decades in the sector herself, but she wanted some professional guidance and direction from a senior leader to help her reach her career goals and aspirations.

    Working together to grow Adriana's confidence, Claire and Adriana's mentoring journey included exploring progression opportunities, maximising feedback, sharing advice and insights on stress-management strategies, and tapping into Claire's professional network.

    Adriana fed back that her mentoring made a real difference to her, and helped her stay grounded and focused in her busy environment.

    Adriana is not pictured for her privacy, and we use a pseudonym to protect her identity while we share her story.

  • Registered Provider, East London

    Halima, Mentee

    As a young professional early in her housing career, Halima sought professional mentoring to maximise her potential and to be proactive in her learning and development journey.

    Progressing to her next role during the mentoring period, which was a step up promotion, Halima professional growth was impressive and rewarding to observe.

    Halima says 'Claire has been mentoring me since last year and has given me great support and guidance in my career and personal aspirations. Claire has outstanding leadership and mentoring qualities, and I have leant strong work values, analytics and problem solving, and personal management skills from Claire. I hope to inspire someone one day as she has inspired me and others.'

    Halima is not pictured for her privacy, and we use a pseudonym to protect her identity while we share her story.

  • Acacia Coaching & Development Ltd

    Emma & Charlotte, Acacia Co-Founders

    Emma and Charlotte, Co-Founders of Acacia Coaching & Development, had worked with Claire in the housing sector and asked her to deliver around 6-8 mentoring sessions as part of their Emerging Talent programme for a Surrey-based Housing Association.

    Designed to support and empower the next generation of managers and leaders, Claire was matched with an aspiring manager, who was accessing mentoring to help prepare for their next step. The mentoring was one part of the wider talent programme, and between professional mentoring and the course delivery, Claire's mentee later went onto become a manager in her Housing Association, and fulfilled her ambition to move into her first management role.

    We are authorised to use Emma and Charlotte's name and photo while we share their story.

How to apply 

If you think we can help you, please contact us and tell us what your current situation is and what your needs are, and what service you are looking for from us, and we will be in touch to see how we can help.
If you are a business, organisation or charity who believes we can help a client or member of your team, please get in touch and share a few details, and we’ll get back to you.
Please carefully read the eligibility criteria to make sure we’re able to help you. If you have any questions, we’re happy to chat. 
A gentle reminder that we are a small business, and we use our own money to fund the Foundation. Whilst we’d love to help everyone who comes to us, we do have a limited number of cases we can support, simply because of the limited money available. We do operate a waiting list and will help as many people as we can.

Become a mentor 

We welcome interest from experienced professionals who would like to pay it forward and join our mentoring programme, particularly through our Foundation. 
The bigger our mentoring pool is the more people we can collectively support and the stronger we can make our professional community. As well as delivering invaluable support to your mentee, there are plenty of personal benefits to you as a mentor too. It is fulfilling on a individual level, but also rewarding in terms of career development, nurturing leadership skills, building professional connections, and you never know what you may learn in the process!
If you are interested, or want to have a chat to understand what this entails, just reach out for a chat or more information. We’d love to hear from you!