Blog

January prize draw - win membership of The Prince's School of Traditional Arts!

Posted 6th January 2009 11:13am by Alison Duguid

We would like to wish all members of The Prince's Charities Community a very happy 2009. As means of helping to encourage any artistic new year resolutions you might have, The Prince's Charities Community Website can offer three members a year-long membership to The Prince's School of Traditional Arts.

The membership scheme helps to support the work of the School in sustaining and regenerating traditional arts, encouraging new artists to learn traditional craft and design techniques and working with communities both in the UK and abroad - see the story below to learn more about this aspect of The PSTA. In return, the membership offers social events, priority booking on courses, a 10% discount on one course a year, a quarterly newsletter and advance updates on exhibitions and lectures.

To enter the prize draw to win one of the membership places, email us at princes.charities@royal.gsx.gov.uk with your name, address and telephone number by January 31st.

You must be a member of The Prince's Charities Community Website to enter. If you're not, or you would like to invite your friends to join, it's easy to sign up today here - it only takes a moment, and anyone can register.

Good luck, and remember there is a new members' prize draw every month!

(No alternative will be offered. Only the winners will be notified. T&C apply.)

The Prince of Wales’s Building Crafts Apprentices Programme

Posted 22nd December 2008 17:51pm

The Prince of Wales’s Building Crafts Apprentices scheme is an eight-month programme of applied study which offers building craftspeople the opportunity to enhance and advance their design knowledge and experience in traditional and sustainable building crafts.

The Prince of Wales’s Building Crafts Apprentices scheme offers talented, enthusiastic and committed craftspeople the opportunity to enhance their vocational skills with the design knowledge, work experience and coaching necessary to succeed in a career in the traditional building sector.

We are looking for building craftspeople who want to bridge the gap between basic qualifications and becoming a master craftsperson. Successful applicants will be rewarded with an eight-month programme of courses and work placements, during which they will be given the opportunity to develop their craftsmanship and use their skills in a broad, holistic building context alongside other building professionals.

The closing date for applications for the 2009 programme is 15th January 2009.

For more information, and to apply, please see http://www.princes-foundation.org/craftsapprentices

The Prince of Wales's Graduate Fellowship Programme in Sustainable Architecture & Urbanism

Posted 22nd December 2008 17:46pm

There is a global skills shortage in urban design and green architecture. In response to this shortage, The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment has established a Graduate Fellowship to meet the need for the next generation of architects and designers who will evolve traditional architecture and urbanism in response to the global climate and urbanisation challenges. We believe that comprehensive and practical action is needed to train designers who can evolve traditional approaches to planning and designing in response to our contemporary ecological crisis.

The two-year paid fellowship involves placements at The Prince’s Foundation in London and with committed practitioners in the United Kingdom.

The 2008 Graduate Fellowship commenced in July and applications are now open for 2009. For more information and to apply please see:

http://www.princes-foundation.org/graduatefellowship
 

Work at The Prince's Regeneration Trust for a Charity Next secondee

Posted 22nd December 2008 15:43pm by Sarah Fisher

It has been a really busy couple of months at The Prince’s Regeneration Trust. We purchased our first building! It’s the Old Duchy Palace in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, a fantastic Grade I listed medieval building. Meanwhile, we are working with a whole array of other buildings and communities up and down the UK, including a new project at Cleveland Pools in Bath, the only surviving Georgian pools in England. 

A particular highlight for me was having the opportunity to spend a day observing an ‘Enquiry by Design’ where The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment are working together with other organisations to masterplan the future use of a former military hospital and surrounding area. It was a fantastically hands-on event, with all sections of the local community getting involved. I came away really inspired by the enthusiasm, collaboration and creativity which will get this exciting, albeit highly challenging, project off the ground.

Meanwhile, my research into improving the environmental performance of listed buildings has taken me across the UK on visits to an ‘energy village’ in Essex, tenement buildings in Edinburgh and – somewhat closer to home – the London Transport Museum, where solar photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof. While in Edinburgh, I also spent a day learning about work being done to support the supply and demand of traditional building materials and crafts, like Scottish roof-slating, carpentry and joinery and stonemasonry. It was fascinating to see how stonework is forensically examined at the Scottish Lime Centre to find an exact match for repairs and restoration work.

For now, though, I’m really looking forward to a relaxing Christmas break, and returning in the new year with batteries recharged! 

BBC One Antiques Roadshow at Dumfries House

Posted 15th December 2008 18:00pm

Earlier this year the BBC One Antiques Roadshow team visited Dumfries House, filming for its 31st series. Fiona Bruce, the Roadshow's new presenter, was joined by some of Britain's leading antiques and fine arts specialists. Over 1500 visitors made their way to the event clutching family heirlooms and household treasures. Watch BBC One this Sunday, 21st December, to see Dumfries House featured on the programme.

Volunteer for The Prince's Teaching Institute

Posted 15th December 2008 17:23pm by Patrick Wigg

Fancy helping one of The Prince's Charities this winter? The Prince's Teaching Institute (PTI) is looking for a volunteer to assist with a large marketing campaign aimed at secondary school teachers in England in December/ January 2008.

If you are interested, you should be available to volunteer on 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd December 2008. The role is office based at The Prince's Charities offices in Kensington Palace, London. Food and reasonable travel expenses will be paid. If you are interested please email info@princes-ti.org.uk for more information.

Win a Duchy Originals Organic Hamper in our December competition!

Posted 5th December 2008 13:22pm by Alison Duguid

As Christmas approaches, we're offering members of The Prince's Charities Community website the chance to win a fantastic Duchy Originals Classic Hamper.

Packed full of tasty organic treats, the hamper includes Duchy Originals' brand new Organic Chocolate Bezants and award-winning Christmas Pudding, along with a selection of delicious organic products to enjoy over the festive season all presented in a traditional wicker hamper.

The hamper contents include: Organic Handmade Christmas Pudding, Organic Chocolate Bezants with Spanish Orange Oil, Organic Festive Chutney, Organic Chocolate Orange Biscuits Tin, Organic Highland Shortbread, Organic Cheese Nibbles with Rosemary and Thyme, Organic Apple Refresher, Organic Handmade Clementine Marmalade, Organic Handmade Raspberry Preserve with Lime, Organic Chocolate Limes and two bottles of Organic Original Ale.

Duchy Originals was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1990 to help promote sustainable food and farming in Britain. Profits from the sale of all Duchy Originals products are donated to The Prince's Charities Foundation.

To enter the prize draw to win a Duchy Originals Classic Hamper, e-mail us at princes.charities@royal.gsx.gov.uk with your name, address and telephone number. The deadline for entries is Friday 19th December (There will be one winner. No alternative will be offered. Only the winner will be notified. T&C apply.)

Visit the Duchy Originals Christmas gift collection and buy online or call the Duchy Originals orderline on 01747 850 822.

Each month, we will be bringing you a fantastic new competition prize from The Prince’s Charities Community. You must be a member to enter so, if you have not already done so, join the Community by registering here.
 

Bank of America and PRIME – Working Together to Support the Over 50s to Find Opportunity in Enterprise

Posted 4th December 2008 17:48pm

Research commissioned by Bank of America on behalf of The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) provides new insights into the realities faced by older entrepreneurs in the UK.

The research was commissioned to mark the launch of a groundbreaking £2 million three-year partnership between the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and PRIME. It aims to unlock entrepreneurialism in the over 50s in the UK by helping this group get back into employment through setting up their own businesses. The partnership will focus on helping those over 50 realise their potential, challenge direct discrimination and enable more people to capitalise on their talents.

Bank of America’s partnership with PRIME forms part of the company’s new approach to community investment in the UK, myPotential myCommunity myEnvironment™, that focuses on building skills, unlocking and nurturing talent and increasing entrepreneurialism in marginalised communities.

The research shows that 16% of those aged 55 to 64 have considered, but not realised, their ambition of establishing their own business, with 23% wanting more relevant support to help them do so.

Older entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly important to the UK economy. The number of businesses launched by people aged over 50 has increased by half over a period of 10 years and this age group now accounts for 15% of all business start-ups in England and Wales.

Laurie South, Chief Executive of PRIME said: “We need to see a fundamental shift in attitudes towards older people and society needs to be more open to the talents and invaluable experience older people can provide to the UK. Through our new strategic partnership with Bank of America, we can continue to build our organisation to provide practical and financial support to even more over 50s throughout the UK.”

As the economic downturn continues to threaten employment opportunities for older people the need for increased support remains critical. 54% of the 50+ age group currently seeking work feel that the current challenging financial environment will have a detrimental effect on their employment prospects.

The benefits of investing in the 50+ age group is underlined by research showing that 70% of businesses started by people over 55 are on average still operating after six years, compared to just 19% overall.

"We are delighted to be partnering with PRIME on such an innovative and significant platform in the UK,” said Dennis Arnum, Bank of America Chief Operating Officer for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. “The ageing demographic across Western Europe, and globally, brings with it significant challenges for society, governments and businesses alike. Our partnership with PRIME will create opportunities by unlocking the barriers to enterprise and releasing the entrepreneurial talent and wealth of experience within our community.”

As part of the partnership, Bank of America will also provide counselling through its employee business mentoring programme.

Each business that PRIME helps establish will provide a host of other comprehensive socio-economic benefits for the UK – including greater levels of wealth and job creation and a reduction in dependence on state benefits. Transferring 1% of the economically inactive over 50s into self employment creates at least 25,000 new jobs and results in savings in welfare payments of £175 million.

PRIME is strongly supported by the government who are working alongside the charity to realise the above benefits. Secretary of State for Business Peter Mandelson said: "There is no age limit on entrepreneurial spirit. During the current economic climate it is even more vital that older people have the confidence to make their business ideas a reality.

"We are currently working with PRIME, Business Link, Enterprise Insight and the Regional Development Agencies to make clear the business support available for older people, be it in starting a business or becoming self employed."

Final line-up confirmed for St James's Carol Concert

Posted 4th December 2008 11:21am by Alison Duguid

The full line up has now been confirmed for the Children & the Arts Christmas carol concert on Wednesday 10th December from 7.00-8.15pm at St James’s Church, Piccadilly, in London.

Music from Children & the Arts Ambassador Alfie Boe and Offical Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales, Clare Jones, will be interspersed with carols from Collegium Musicum of London and two London school choirs - Queen’s Gate Junior School and Thomas’s School, Clapham. There will also be seasonal readings from Zoë Wanamaker, Don Warrington and Pauline Collins and carols for the whole congregation to sing. Penelope Keith will make an appeal on behalf of the charity.

For further details, visit our Events listing.

BITC's Awards for Excellence 2009 now open for entries

Posted 3rd December 2008 16:20pm by Alison Duguid

Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence 2009 are now open for entries. 

These are the UK’s most influential, independent, peer assessed corporate responsibility awards. Run in association with the Financial Times, the awards recognise and celebrate those companies who have shown innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.

The categories available in the Awards for Excellence 2009 are:

• Impact on Society Awards
• Workplace Impact
• Environment Impact
• Community Impact
• Marketplace Impact
• Other Awards
• Leadership Awards

BITC are running a series of workshops for companies planning to enter the Awards,

The closing date for applications is 6th March 2009. For more information including past case studies of winners, application criteria and forms, visit the Awards for Excellence 2009 section of BITC's website.