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In Kind Direct's charity network increased by 35% in 2009

Posted 15th March 2010 12:42pm by Alison Duguid

In Kind Direct helps make charities budgets work harder
More charities benefited from the service provided by In Kind Direct during 2009 than ever before, as In Kind Direct’s network of charities increased by 35% to over 4,000. 

2009 was a challenging year for everyone but when the economy slows, so too does the amount of money flowing to third sector organisations (Source: Charities Commission, Economic Survey of Charities 2009). Across the UK they are struggling to stretch limited budgets and more and more have been turning to In Kind Direct, to help make every Pound work harder for the thousands who rely on their invaluable services.

Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, In Kind Direct significantly increases the flow of goods to UK charities, through effective, efficient redistribution of surplus goods sourced from manufacturers and retailers. By providing a service to a network of partners, In Kind Direct enables charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises to help people in need both at home and abroad, whilst inspiring growth in corporate giving, promoting responsible business practices and diverting usable goods from landfill.

In Kind Direct’s redistribution model demonstrates the highly practical way in which product donations can free up scarce cash resources to allow charities to do significantly more for the people they help. In Kind Direct increased the value of goods distributed to £16.1 million an increase of £5 million on 2008.

“These figures really demonstrate how hard those in the third sector have had to work to maximise ever-shrinking funds during the recession. At In Kind Direct we can really help stretch budgets to ensure even limited resources work harder for those in need. We are continuing to encourage charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises to make the most of our service by joining free at www.inkinddirect.org.” Clare Joof, Head of Charity Partnerships, In Kind Direct.

“At Home Start we know just how superb In Kind Direct’s service is. Through working with them we have been able to help so many more families by supplying vital everyday items that, in this current economic climate they are finding it hard to buy.” Dawn McCormack, Home Start - Cole Valley.

Win delicious treats from The Oban Chocolate Company and The Foodie Company

Posted 12th March 2010 17:37pm by Alison Duguid

The Oban Chocolate Company and The Foodie Company have kindly donated some scrumptious prizes for members of The Prince's Charities Community to win!

Both of these businesses were supported by The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust. The charity supports young people, aged eighteen to twenty five years old, in starting up and developing their own business.

Firstly, we will be giving away a bespoke Easter hamper from The Oban Chocolate Company - put together especially for you! Helen Miller and Stewart MacKechnie (pictured below left) started the business in 2003, having been inspired by a factory they saw whilst travelling in Australia. Helen's First Class degree in Food Product Design has been put to good use and they pride themselves on producing a very special product in a very beautiful part of the world. All chocolates produced by the Oban Chocolate Company are made entirely by hand in their premises in Oban on Scotland's west coast, where the couple run a successful shop and café.

To enter: email us at princes.charities@royal.gsx.gov.uk with your name, address and telephone number by Monday 29th March at 9am, along with the answer to the following question: when was The Oban Chocolate Company set up? (Entrants must be members of the website. T&C apply.)

Later in March, we are giving away a Foodiebox from The Foodie Company, founded in Edinburgh by Peter McLean (pictured below with HRH The Prince of Wales). Foodieboxes provides modern Scottish hampers to corporate and retail customers, and support young Scottish food manufacturing companies at the same time. Peter uses several PSYBT-backed businesses to fill his hampers with jams, porridge bars and luxury chocolates amongst other items. In 2009, the Foodie Company expanded with the opening of a café, Foodies at Holyrood. More details of the Foodiebox you can win, and how to enter, will be posted on The Prince's Charities Community Blog from Monday 29th March 2010 (and on Twitter @powcharities) with entries closing on Friday 16th April at 5pm.

For further information about the people behind these two prizes take a peak at: www.obanchocolate.co.uk and www.foodieboxes.co.uk.

In Kind Direct boosts Let’s Get Cooking kitchens

Posted 12th March 2010 11:42am by Alison Duguid

Let’s Get Cooking clubs have received thousands of pounds worth of goods and kitchen equipment by working with two of The Prince’s Charities, Business in the Community (BITC) and In Kind Direct.

BITC, which is one of the partners in Let’s Get Cooking, works with companies to support and sustain cooking clubs by way of business volunteers giving their time, skills and expertise. So far, Business in the Community has brokered £150,000 worth of support into Let’s Get Cooking clubs, with £14,500 kitchen and catering equipment being supplied to the schools from the unique partnership BITC set up with In Kind Direct.

The two charities set up a successful partnership to give all Let’s Get Cooking clubs across England access to discounted goods and kitchen equipment. All schools who take part in the Let’s Get Cooking programme can join the In Kind Direct charity network for free and secure kitchen supplies and equipment for a handling charge that is a fraction of the cost on the high street.

This is the first time that In Kind Direct has worked with extra-curricular school clubs. 112 Let’s Get Cooking clubs have now registered nationally on the In Kind Direct website, and 19 schools have already received goods and kitchen equipment. Access to equipment makes a fundamental difference for clubs wishing to start or expand their Let’s Get Cooking activities. More equipment enables them to teach more and more children, their parents and the wider community how to cook healthy meals from scratch, and share the joy of eating together.

Ali Winstone, Let’s Get Cooking Club Co-ordinator at Foxmoor School in Stroud, South West, said:

"As a primary school without many cooking resources, In Kind Direct’s fantastic service means that we have been able to get hold of top of the range saucepan sets and Pyrex dishes for our club with very little outlay - thus our £500 equipment budget has gone a lot further in our first year than expected. We have also bought sundry items such as: washing up liquid, washing powder, fabric softener and scouring sponges, also at very minimal cost to ourselves. These types of items will last for a long time. Therefore we will be able to use our precious budget for more important things such as, hopefully, a new cooker and more cooking ingredients. The service we have received from In Kind Direct has been very prompt, their website is easy to use and the products always arrive in excellent conditions."

James Williams, Head of Business Development, In Kind Direct, said:

"We’re delighted that so many Let’s Get Cooking groups are already benefiting from In Kind Direct’s service. The stock we have available to distribute is limited by the donations we get from companies. We’re always working hard to get more companies involved so that more worthwhile causes like the Let’s Get Cooking groups can benefit. This project goes to show by how working together The Prince’s Charities can really increase our impact."

Let’s Get Cooking is funded by The BIG Lottery Fund and led by the School Food Trust in partnership with a range of well-known of organisations with experience in food skills and campaigning. These include The Prince’s Trust, Business in the Community and Magic Outcomes. They spearhead projects aimed at key target audiences including teenagers, schools and communities in areas of high deprivation, and encourage sustainable support from businesses. The British Nutrition Foundation and the Royal Society for Health are also involved in an advisory capacity.

Could you be a business mentor?

Posted 12th March 2010 11:03am

PRIME, the charity founded by HRH The Prince of Wales to help people over the age of 50 to get back into work by starting their own businesses, is looking for more volunteers to be mentors. 

“If you are willing to share your business experience as a mentor, we are keen to hear from you”, said Harri Harrison, Mentoring Manager. “Older business people have a wealth of knowledge and experience and this is an excellent way to share it.”

The new scheme will operate across the UK. This is possible because PRIME is working with the Department for Business Innovation and Skills on the project and using the specialist online mentoring platform Horsesmouth to provide a safe and secure mentoring venue on the Internet.

“This is not simply about helping to write a business plan”, said Laurie South CEO of PRIME, “It is about helping people who are at the very start of their business journey.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer PRIME mentor and would like to find out more, please contact harri.harrison@ace.org.uk or visit www.primebusinessclub.com.

Google supports The British Asian Trust

Posted 11th March 2010 17:52pm by Alison Duguid

Google has announced its support to The British Asian Trust with a Google grant and a branded YouTube Channel. The grant gives The British Asian Trust the opportunity through google.co.uk to reach out to new online audiences and build awareness about the Trust’s activities in South Asia.

Cricket has been a huge part of The British Asian Trust success story with matches such as India vs. Pakistan in 2007, the British Asian Challenge at Lord’s in 2009. In July 2010 we will be following this up by bringing the Indian Premier League back to London for The British Asian Challenge at Lord’s. In a build up to July, cricket fans amongst our supporter base can follow their favourite teams in the Indian Premier League Season 3 on YouTube! All 60 matches of the IPL will be streamed live (and free) on youtube.com/ipl.

Acknowledging Google’s support, Chairman Manoj Badale said, "This is a new stage of development for the Trust as it builds its supporter base in the UK and increases awareness about effective philanthropy to high-impact charities in South Asia."

The Prince's Charities in Burnley: Working in Partnership

Posted 8th March 2010 10:57am by Alison Duguid

The Prince of Wales recently visited Burnley in Lancashire to see at first-hand the work of The Prince's Charities in the town.

In this film, Dame Julia Cleverdon, Vice-President of Business in the Community - one of The Prince's Charities - talks about The Prince's interest in the town and his recent visit.

Dame Julia explains how The Prince's Charities are working in partnership with a number of different organisations to make a difference in Burnley. 

The Prince of Wales and President Zuma meet with The Prince's Charities

Posted 8th March 2010 10:48am by Alison Duguid

President Jacob Zuma's three-day state visit drew to a close on 5th March 2010 with the Republic of South Africa's leader meeting The Prince of Wales to discuss the work of His Royal Highness’s charitable organisations in his homeland.

The Prince gathered together leading representatives from two of his bodies working in the areas of youth entrepreneurship and sustainable business to discuss their initiatives with the head of state.

The Prince’s Charities – Youth Business International and Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership – have been working in South Africa for a combined period of over 20 years.

The head of The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, which does not have projects in South Africa but is working in deprived areas of Kingston in Jamaica, Freetown in Sierra Leone and other countries, also joined the talks.

Read the full story on The Prince of Wales website.

The British Asian Trust - Three Year Partnership with Developments in Literacy, Pakistan

Posted 1st March 2010 12:56pm

The British Asian Trust announced its three year partnership with Developments in Literacy (DIL), Pakistan at the DIL Trust UK’s gala held at Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair on 30th January 2010. Speaking at the event, Mr Manoj Badale, Chairman of The British Asian Trust, said “We are proud to be supporting an organisation such as DIL that is high-impact, has a track record of growth and is effectively helping Pakistan meet its future challenges.”

The British Asian Trust’s support to Developments in Literacy will enable the charity to upgrade the quality of education in its schools by improving the standard of training for over 600 rural teachers and capacity building of its programme staff. The Trust support comes at a time when DIL is at a crucial stage of its development and is looking forward to consolidating its activities on the ground.

Acknowledging the support by The British Asian Trust, Ahmereen Reza, Chairperson DIL Trust UK, thanked the Trust for its valuable contribution towards DIL’s effort as well as Mr. Badale for such a unreserved endorsement of DIL’s work and its impact.

The event was the second gala and fundraiser organised by DIL Trust UK since its launch in 2007. The event was attended by prominent British Pakistanis, Pakistani professionals and businessmen residing in the United Kingdom including His Excellency Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Lord Hameed, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, Hassan Askari, Ashraf Ali Hameedi, Dr. Saadia Quraishy, Asif Rangoonwala, Naveed Riaz, Dr. Mian Sharif, Tahir Wahid, Kashif Zafar, DIL Trust’s UK Patron Baroness Sandip Verma and Mrs. Pinky Lillani (pictured), OBE and advisory board member and former Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi. Hitan Mehta and Rabia Nusrat from the Trust also attended the event.

The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts - Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon

Posted 23rd February 2010 17:07pm

On Sunday 10th October 2010, The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts is taking part in the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon. With our intrepid runners’ help, we plan to raise funds to enable many hundreds of children to enjoy the arts for the first time.

The 13.1 mile route goes through the beautiful Royal Parks – St. James’s Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens – whilst taking in some of London’s oldest landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.

Last year’s race was a great success with the Children & the Arts team raising over £7000 of vital funds for the charity. With your help we hope this year’s race will be even better.

For more information and information on registering please visit our half marathon page.
 

PRIME – The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise - welcomes new Chairman

Posted 18th February 2010 16:26pm by Alison Duguid

PRIME, the charity founded by HRH The Prince of Wales to help people over the age of 50 across the UK to get back into work by starting their own businesses, has appointed Richard Martin as Chairman Designate. He will take over from the existing Chair Pauline Norton in the summer.

Pauline says, “I am delighted that Richard will be succeeding me as Chairman and believe he will lead the charity into its next exciting phase of development. Richard brings such a wealth of experience and contacts from the business, consulting and venture-capital worlds.”

Richard Martin started out on the London Stock Exchange before moving into marketing, working for the oil company Castrol and then the brewers Courage. Richard founded, grew and later sold his own consultancy business. He has since been involved with a series of start-ups in a variety of roles – investor, consultant and non-executive director.

Richard said:  “With the recession in full swing and the number of older unemployed people rising sharply, there is a greater need than ever for PRIME. My task is to ensure the charity continues to make a real impact on the problem and I look forward to building on the tremendous work carried out by Pauline and the PRIME team. But now we need to raise more money to support a growing number of over 50s move out of worklessness and into enterprise.”

PRIME is one of The Prince's Charities, a group of 20 not-for-profit organisations of which The Prince of Wales is President. PRIME offers a practical package of support for people who are over the age of 50 and out of work, including a Business Club and the Zopa-PRIME Olderpreneur Loan scheme.

The over 50s are particularly affected by unemployment and the recession, so setting up their own businesses is a vital way back into the labour market. In the UK as a whole some 3million 50 to 65-year-olds have no paid employment, and the number is rising. The best thing anyone who finds themselves in this position can do is sign up for PRIME's help at: www.primebusinessclub.com.

“Over 50s who are out of paid employment for six months after being made redundant only stand a one-in-ten chance of being an employee again”, says Laurie South, Chief Executive of PRIME. “It’s never been more important to provide opportunities for over 50s who want to work.

“But opportunities are hard to come by at the moment. As a result many people are now seriously considering self-employment. New businesses started by the over 50s will be a big factor in the economic recovery”, says Laurie.