PWCF and Waitrose visit projects in Wiltshire

We were delighted to be joined by our partners at Waitrose on a recent visit to PWCF supported charities in Wiltshire - Arts Together and Plantlife. It was wonderful to talk to people being supported and those delivering the work. The visit showcased how our funding from Waitrose Duchy Organic is transforming lives and supporting nature.

PWCF provided a small grant to Arts Together, a pioneering charity which works to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life for older people through the provision of participatory arts projects. Workshops are taught by specially trained professional artists and facilitators who offer a broad range of creative activities.

All attendees are supported with escorted transport, professional carers and emotional support – ensuring that people at risk of social isolation remain part of their local community. It was fantastic to see participants create incredible art thanks to the guidance from local artist Knati Powell.

Julieann Worrall Hood, Organisation Manager at Arts Together said:

‘It was an honour to be awarded funding by The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund and to be selected for a visit from their team and Waitrose partners. The grant has not only enabled us to continue our vital work in a very practical way, but also raised the profile of Arts Together, especially in the year when the former Prince of Wales has become King.’

PWCF and Waitrose also visited a juniper restoration site to view conservation work undertaken byPlantlife– a charity working nationally and internationally to save threatened wild flowers, plants and fungi. Plantlife is one of PWCF’s strategic funding partnerships, continuing a decade of support.

A guided walk with Plantlife Meadows Advisor, Matt Pitts on Cranborne Chase AONB focused on juniper restoration work. It was fascinating to see how concentrated efforts to conserve one plant species had huge benefits for wider biodiversity, including butterflies.

Juniper has failed to regenerate for the past 60 years and had been lost from nearly 50% of its historic range. Without vital conservation work, the shrub is likely to become extinct in lowland England within the next 50 years, in turn impacting on the species it supports, such as Goldcrest, Fieldfare and Song Thrush. Conservation work will help at least 16 other plant species, including kidney vetch.

Nikki Jeffery, Executive Director of PWCF, said

‘It’s been a great day meeting with our grantees Arts Together and Plantlife to see first-hand how our funding is making a real difference. The visits today really demonstrate how PWCF’s partnership with Waitrose, through sales of Duchy Organic products, is improving people’s lives and creating sustainable solutions to support nature and mitigate the climate crisis.’

Marija Rompani, Director of Sustainability & Ethics at Waitrose said:

‘It was a truly inspiring experience seeing first-hand how these projects are supporting local communities and embodying our purpose to work in partnership for a happier world. We’re so proud of the difference these partnerships continue to make by addressing challenges around social inclusion, health and wellbeing, the environment and conservation as well as support to create confident rural communities and thriving family farms across the UK.’