Charity News

UEL Alumni Shine at Haberdashers' Pitch Event

Six finalists walk away with money and mentorship as partnership reaches 20th anniversary

Alumni entrepreneurs from the University of East London’s (UEL) Catalyst programme pitched their innovative business ideas at the home of sponsors, the Haberdashers Company, on 17 July. This year also marked the 20th anniversary of the fruitful partnership between UEL and Haberdashers.

Over 100 businesses applied to the programme run by UEL’s Careers and Enterprise team, with 12 shortlisted to participate in an intensive boot camp.

These startups benefited from the expertise of... Read More


A sense of belonging in the Benefice of Newnham, Awre and Blakeney
One of the words that kept coming up at the June deputation to the Benefice of Newnham, Awre and Blakeney was community. The sense of community and family was evident, especially when meeting the welcoming parishioners in Newnham and Awre.

Some have worshipped in their church over many decades and feel a deep sense of belonging and purpose within their church family. The priest-in-charge, the Revd Rachel Saum, has been ably leading the churches over the past three years.

The Benefice is one of eight church patronages that the Company has, the history of which can be dated back to... Read More


The Golden Conversation 2024
The Haberdashers’ Company recently hosted 'The Golden Conversation', an insightful and thought-provoking event centred around the theme of "Loving Your Neighbour in 21st Century Britain." Featuring perspectives from two faith leaders, Imam Mohammed Mahmoud OBE and Reverend Graham Hunter, the event aimed to explore Christian and Muslim perspectives on serving the common good. Attendees, including members of the Haberdashers' Livery Company, staff, and students from Haberdasher schools, engaged in a dynamic discussion that delved into the complexities of modern-day community and... Read More

Two Haberdasher members become volunteer Reading Coaches for Adult Literacy Trust

The Haberdashers' Company is proud to work with Adult Literacy Trust (ALT) as one of our charity partners and small grant holders. As a Funder Plus partner, the Company recognises it's position as a modest grant giver and therefore works to bring additional benefits when and where we can, to the charities we support through our funding. This year two Haberdashers' will give their time and expertise as volunteers to the charity as Reading Coaches.  

Adult Literacy Trust was established in 2021 to give people with poor literacy skills access to the help they need to become successful... Read More


Monmouth Girls student heads to rural Cambodia to teach English with funding from The Haberdashers' Company

 

Haberdashers' Monmouth student, Natasha, was awarded £500 from Thomas Arno last year to travel to rural Cambodia to teach English. Here she shares her life-changing experiences in her own words as she overcame language barriers and cultural differences to connect with local people in the country. Natasha was deeply moved by her interactions with Sokim Phang, a Programme Officer at Mines Advisory Group, who taught her about the ongoing dangers of unexploded landmines in Cambodia and the legacy of the county's occupation from 1975-1979.

"With the money I received from the... Read More


Construction Youth Trust expand their Building Opportunities programme

Construction Youth Trust expand their Building Opportunities programme further into the London boroughs of Southwark and Lewisham with the support of match funding from The Haberdashers’ Company.

Construction Youth Trust (CYT) have credited a major grant from the Haberdashers’ Company with helping CYT to reach and build relationships with new referral partners and employers in Southwark and Lewisham in the past 12 months.

As part of their grant evaluation CYT shared progress on their key project outcomes linked to their Building Opportunities intensive... Read More


Tackling Knife Crime in London with the Ben Kinsella Trust
The Ben Kinsella Trust tackles knife crime through education and campaigning. The charity was the recipient of one the 2023 Small Grants and here they tell us how they have used the money to help young people understand better about the dangers of carrying a weapon and how knife crime can be prevented in their communities. 

Set up following the tragic murder of young Ben Kinsella in 2008, their mission is to campaign against knife crime (facilitating everyone to recognise the role they can play in prevention) and to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime,... Read More


An ancient connection: the Company’s thriving patronage in Shropshire

 

With an ancient connection to the haberdashery trade, Albrighton and its sister churches in Donington and Boningale have been in the Haberdashers’ family of church patronages since the 1600s. A summer visit by the Company was a delight.

 

A quick online search reveals that Albrighton in Shropshire has an ancient connection with the haberdashery trade, as a manufacturer of buttons. This was in the early 1600s, at a similar time as when Dame Mary Weld left... Read More


Small Grants Programme 2023
  Eighteen small charities have each received a small grant from the Company to support their vital work.

 

The Company’s Small Grant programme has been running since 2020. This year’s grant-holders were chosen as their charitable activities fall within specific Focus Areas and Geographies. Eighteen charities were selected, with over £50,000 being awarded in total.

Each grant of around £3,000 includes core funding and project costs, depending on the needs of the organisation.

‘We are delighted to have been selected to... Read More


Funder Plus: the first Habs Charities’ Round Table
  As part of our commitment to be more than just a funder, representatives from ten charities were invited to take part in an informal Round Table discussion. The aim was to create a safe, open and collaborative space when concerns and celebrations could be shared.

 

 

Being the CEO of a small charity can be an extremely lonely and challenging place. Without the infrastructure of a larger organisation, on any given day you may be making hefty strategic... Read More