Bringing government and charity together: a Charity Next secondee's experience at Barnado's

Posted 31st October 2008 14:24pm by Jo Mardon

It’s been two months since I joined Barnardo’s through the Charity Next scheme, and it’s hard to believe how quickly the time has gone!

My role is to develop and support our internal ‘Pass it On’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness across the organisation about the importance of gifts left to Barnardo’s in supporters’ wills. The whole organisation? That’s not just staff but over 9000 volunteers too, with a wide variety of roles, interests and motivations for being part of Barnardo’s. All these are factors we need to consider for our communications to be effective, and through my role I’m gaining a fascinating overview of how a charity such as Barnardo’s runs.

As part of my induction I was encouraged to visit a Barnardo’s project, to understand at first hand some of the work we do with vulnerable young people. So it was that I set off on a journey to one of our Young Carers Projects where I spent a day shadowing the Children’s Services Manager. It was fascinating to gain an insight into the inner-workings of the project, from funding to targets to relationships with the local authority. Speaking to the social workers and going out on a visit really brought home how much of a difference Barnardo’s can make to these children’s lives – and their families too.

What a contrast to working on a Bill in the Department for Work and Pensions!

Exclusive Duchy Originals discounts

Posted 24th October 2008 16:32pm by Nicky Sherwood

Duchy Originals is pleased to offer members of The Prince’s Charities Community an exclusive 10% discount on their entire Christmas Gifts and Hampers range until 31st October 2008.

With prices starting from just £27, the Duchy gift collection offers something for everyone. Friends who enjoy cooking will love The Organic Cook gift (£45) which includes the Duchy Originals Cook Book and selection of organic ingredients as well as Duchy’s new Organic Herb Seeds, all presented in an open storage basket.

Green Fingered types will love The Organic Gardener gift (£50) which includes a Hand Trowel made from wood from the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, along with organic Vegetable Seeds and some tasty organic treats, presented in a branded wooden seed box.

If you’re stuck for ideas for those hard to buy for Dads and Granddads, look no further than The Gentleman’s Hamper (£27) which includes a selection of products with robust distinctive flavours, including Organic Ale, Mint Humbugs and Ploughman’s Pickle, packed in a mini wicker hamper.

For a special gift, choose The Luxury Hamper (£100) which contains an indulgent selection of festive treats, including Organic English Sparkling Wine, Organic Chocolate Bezants and Duchy’s award-winning Christmas Pudding, all presented in a traditional handmade wicker hamper.

Profits from the sale of all Duchy Originals products are donated to The Prince’s Charities Foundation.

Members of The Prince's Charities Community can take advantage of this exclusive offer, by contacting us for the promotional code to use when placing your order. Ordering is easy… visit the Duchy Originals website or call their order line on 01747 850 822. Orders must be placed by 31st October 2008 to be eligible for the discount, but delivery can be arranged for any time up to 19th December 2008.

If you are not yet a member, but would like to take advantage of this offer, simply join us today!

Bringing government and charity together: a Charity Next secondee's experience at The Prince’s Regeneration Trust

Posted 20th October 2008 11:47am by Sarah Fisher

I joined The Prince’s Regeneration Trust in August, on a one-year secondment from DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) through the Charity Next initiative. I really can’t believe I’ve already been here two months – it’s gone so quickly!

My role here is extremely diverse, ranging from fundraising, business planning and implementing our education strategy, to drafting publications and helping develop our sustainability policy. I think it would be virtually impossible to have that kind of job in a big government department so it’s a fantastic opportunity. I’m going to have to get much better at juggling so many things at once though!

Now that I’ve had a chance to settle in, it’s been great to get out and about and speak to people working on related projects. For example, in the last couple of weeks I’ve visited a ‘superhome’ in Camden where a listed Victorian terraced house has been refurbished to impressively high environmental standards whilst retaining its special historical character, and I attended a workshop on the future of the UK’s ‘places of worship’.

I’ve also been meeting with staff in the other charities about working together to encourage the take-up of traditional building craft skills, which are so important for adapting the UK’s many historic buildings in a sensitive way. I’ve been really struck by the knowledge, passion and energy of the people I’ve spoken to – it’s infectious!

Finally, following the recent machinery of government change (creating a new “Department for Energy and Climate Change”) I’m not sure quite where I will be going back to at the end of my secondment. But I’m not worrying too much about that at the moment - I’ve got plenty to get my teeth into here!

Win a shopping trip to the Highgrove Christmas Shop at Clarence House

Posted 8th October 2008 14:44pm by Alison Duguid

This October, to celebrate the launch of the Highgrove Shop website we have an exclusive members-only competition to win a shopping trip with a difference.

 Twelve members of The Prince's Charities Community will win a special visit to the Highgrove Christmas Shop at Clarence House, the official residence of The Prince of Wales, on Wednesday 29th October 2008 at 10am. Each winner may bring a guest to the invite-only event, where they will have the opportunity to purchase Highgrove's selection of organic foods and lifestyle products for the home and garden with all profits going to charity. 

Highgrove products take their inspiration from the gardens at Highgrove and reflect the wide-ranging interests and passions of The Prince of Wales. The majority of products in the collection have been created by British artisan manufacturers and craftsmen and are exclusive to Highgrove. All profits generated from the sales of products in The Highgrove Shop help to fund The Prince's Charities Foundation. 

To enter the prize draw to visit The Highgrove Christmas Shop at Clarence House, e-mail us (princes.charities@royal.gsx.gov.uk) with your name, address and telephone number. The deadline for entries is Wednesday 22nd October at 10am; winners will be notified shortly afterwards. (No alternative date or prize will be offered. Only the winners will be notified. T&C apply.)  

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.