News

Transformation at Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice

It was magical to see the works complete at Jigsaw: a new entrance with dedicated turning circle, fresh new bedrooms and bathrooms. This was the result of much careful planning with parents and Jigsaw users, and lots of hard work on the ground. The impact is immense, with families and staff so pleased with the homely, fun and friendly new facilities.

The whole project was made possible by external funding: an extraordinary award from Southampton Hospitals Charity, from the funds raised through the sale of Banksy’s covid-era ‘Gamechanger’, plus funds from national and local charities. A fantastic and much deserved new development for a wonderful organisation.

Forestry Commission Funding for North Devon’s Coastline

Great news for a partnership created to regenerate Exmoor’s coastal woodlands, with a pilot grant from Woods into Management Forestry Innovation (Forestry Commission). Through this project, woodland owners along 35 miles of Exmoor coast will be connected, and climate resilience and carbon sequestration improved through replanting, regeneration and implementation of grey squirrel management plans targeted to key locations. [Photos from Exmoor National Park, National Trust and Red Squirrel South West, all project partners.]

3-year funding in place for Civil Rights First

Civil Rights First is one of 48 Scottish organisations to share £21m in new funding to support Human Rights and equality. The charity provides free legal advice, representation and advocacy to marginalised people, ensuring people can protect their rights and have recourse to legal advice when they need it. The funding is a great step forward for a small charity with an enormous impact, the services of which are needed now more than ever.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said:

“We want to build a fairer, more equal Scotland which is free from discrimination and where the human rights of everyone are respected, protected and fulfilled.

“Equality and human rights are at the heart of all we do. As we ease out of the pandemic, we are providing an annual increase of £1 million to support the vital efforts of these expert organisations to strengthen communities, further equality, and advance human rights of people across the country.”

Dionne McCabe, Trustee of Civil Rights First, said:

“This funding award, made in recognition of our specialist service delivery, is a significant step for our small charity in delivering to the most vulnerable with access to justice and a step change in growth across Scotland. We look forward to making a real difference with positive outcomes for vulnerable people.”

Celia Tennant, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland, which manages the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government, said:

 “Everyone in Scotland deserves, and has a right, to live their life to their maximum ability, to contribute to society in the widest terms, and to have full self-determination.

“The large number of strong applicants to the fund demonstrates the depth of commitment from the third sector. We look forward to working with the diverse range of funded groups to share challenges, develop solutions and amplify learning.”

Great news for Civil Rights First and the many people whose lives are transformed by this organisation’s deep legal capacity and endless determination.

Trip to Ruskin Museum

Lovely to take a preparatory visit to the Ruskin Museum and Coniston Institute, over the lake there. The Institute as it currently stands was created through the fundraising and leadership of John Ruskin, who moved nearby to Brentwood. He wanted to create a complete educational resource for the area, and went on to offer classes in linen, lace and copper to give people the means to develop small craft businesses.

After John Ruskin’s death the collections grew with a wonderful group of his paintings and drawings. The Museum continued to collect local history and remember local characters, and much more recently acquired Donald Campbell’s Bluebird. Images (c) Ruskin Museum.

The Steading saved!

The Steading is the home of Scottish craftsman Tim Stead (1952-2000). It was Stead’s life’s work – every surface and fitting in sculpted wood, a testament to the versatility and beauty of native hardwoods.

I was lucky enough to help the trustees of the Tim Stead Trust realise a ‘last chance’ to save this wonderful home. After some disappointment early in the campaign, a generous benefactor stepped forward with a challenge fund. He would double all donations to a value of £250,000 to save the house so, so long as the trust could quickly raise the same again, The Steading would be safe.

This was a time-pressured campaign. The money needed to be in place by February 2021 when the house would go on the open market, leaving just the winter months with Christmas in the middle and Covid-19 looming. Many charitable trusts had paused operations to help mitigate the impact of Covid on the organisations they fund – others had closed their offices.

It was essential to make sure as many funders at least considered this appeal, so an intense programme of calls, followed up with emergency proposals ensured as many trusts and foundations as possible were at least aware. Many promised to look at the proposal in-between meetings as an urgent case – others picked up the phone directly. People were overwhelmingly supportive.

With some prompt responses and extremely generous pledges, the campaign gathered momentum and by January it was possible to launch a Crowdfunder to meet the target and enable members of the public to play their part. This was successful beyond anyone’s expectations, with in excess of £30,000 pledged.

The Steading is safe now and the trust able to start a programme of urgent restoration work. The future will see it become a Centre for Wood Culture, bringing together craft, environmental work, art, music and community activity.