Charity News

Still Standing with the Sector

We, along with a wider group of funders, recognise that the impact of the covid-19 outbreak continues to have a significant impact on civil society groups, and want to offer renewed assurance that we stand with the sector at this time.

As covid-19 hit our communities we saw how the incredible work of civil society groups helped people through the worst of times. We know civil society will also be crucial to the recovery and renewal of our communities beyond the crisis, and think it’s important to say that we’re not going anywhere – we’re going to be on the side of communities and... Read More


Haberdashers' Grant Helps 10,800 People in Prison to Learn to Read
In September 2020 the Haberdashers' Benevolent Foundation celebrated the end of a 3-year grant of £45,000 to the Shannon Trust, a charity that teaches people in prison to read. Since then, 10,800 prisoners have benefited, vastly enhancing their prospects.  

"I feel more confident with writing letters to my family and friends and look forward to the replies. I know there’s still a long road ahead but I’m pleased I’ve made my first steps. I hope to continue with... Read More


Bunbury Parish Photo Chosen by Duchess of Cambridge for Hold Still Photographic Exhibition at National Portrait Gallery
A photo taken at St Boniface, Bunbury, one of eight Haberdasher Company parishes, has been chosen by the Duchess of Cambridge to appear in the exhibition 'Hold Still', a selection of photos taken throughout the country during lockdown, at the National Portrait Gallery. 

"When it was announced church buildings were to be closed to the public to reduce the transmission of the virus, I wanted to assure our community that, although we couldn't gather physically, their photos in church were a symbol that they... Read More


Haberdashers' Donation Helps Homeless Young People, Badly Housed Families and Others in Need
The Haberdashers' Benevolent Foundation recently made a donation, with the Master’s matching funding scheme, to the Cardinal Hume Centre, a charity which enables people to gain the skills they need to overcome poverty and homelessness. It works with homeless young people, badly housed families and others in need.

“This is such a challenging time and we are continuing to support vulnerable people as best we can. We continue to provide a home to 36 young homeless residents with staff from across the Centre stepping in to cover for hostel staff who are ‘... Read More


Haberdashers' Donation Makes Difference to Seriously and Terminally Ill Children
The Haberdashers' Benevolent Foundation recently made a donation, with the Master's matching funding scheme, to Spread a Smile, a charity which brings joy and laughter to seriously and terminally ill children and their families during intensive treatment and extended hospital stays. 

 

"We are so grateful for the very generous £450 that Spread a Smile received from a Haberdashers member and the subsequent matching from the Company. This donation will enable us to provide 45 seriously or terminally children who are isolated in... Read More

Haberdashers / UEL Entrepreneurship Awards 2020

 

The Haberdashers / UEL Entrepreneurship Awards 2020 were conducted via MS Teams on Monday 13 July from 4 – 5 pm. There were 20 guests, including Haberdasher members.

 

Some background

Support from the Haberdashers' Benevolent Founation has helped 120 business in total, over the 15 years of the awards. There were 58 applications for the 2020 Haberdasher / UEL Entrepreneur Awards 2020. Of these, 11 were shortlisted and five awardee businesses were chosen. A big thank you to Faith Johnson, Freeman, who sat... Read More


Haberdasher Scholar Graduates with First in Journalism

'Being a part of the first cohort attending Crayford Academy in 2010, the main school building was yet to be built and our classrooms were set up in temporary buildings on the primary school field. On top of this, we remained the eldest pupils as we moved up through the school which certainly put us in a rare position and meant that our year group grew up with the school in a unique way. 

From my time at Haberdashers I was given countless exciting opportunities which helped me to develop my skills and experience, preparing me for later life. One of which is the... Read More


Haberdasher Members Raise Nearly £60,000 for Charities Since Start of Lockdown
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Haberdasher Master Caroline Davis and Immediate Past Master James Kininmonth devised an initiative whereby £30,000 of the Haberdashers' Benevolent Fund would be available to match amounts raised by individual Haberdasher members to support charities of their choice between March 23rd and June 1st.

 

The charities had to meet certain simple criteria, as well as being within part of  the Company's charitable focus areas:

Helping the unemployed, the homeless, ex-offenders or those at risk of... Read More


Haberdasher Past Master Raises £9,000 for Hospital Covid Appeal
CV19 creates a community: from internally to externally focused At the start of the Covid pandemic, Haberdasher Past Master Michael Jeans formed a support group within his apartment development especially for vulnerable residents.

After a few weeks, this internally focused group developed externally: the development is situated next door to St Mary's Paddington, which had seen hundreds of deaths, so an appeal was launched to provide some financial assistance to vulnerable patients and staff; many of whom were from very low income families. The funds... Read More


A Message from the Company Chaplain

Our Company Chaplain and Freeman, the Rev’d Canon David Parrott, has recorded a message for his Livery Companies from St Lawrence Jewry. Please click below to hear it: