CHARITABLE MISSION

Today, our mission is to empower individuals and communities through action, partnership and financial support. While championing textiles is a core part of that mission, we are also focused on fostering community and making a difference through broader charitable giving. The Clothworkers’ Foundation is usually the primary recipient of our philanthropic funding, including almost £3 million in 2021, as well as the vehicle through which we are able to positively impact communities across the UK.

However we also support a number of other charitable initiatives every year. The latter includes grant-making for a number of charitable causes that support our communities in the Square Mile and throughout the UK, funding for our military affiliates, donations or investments that protect and promote endangered craft skills, and programmes that are aligned with our core values.

Some of our ‘Charitable Mission’ grant recipients are highlighted in the following pages.

Left: Student Roshni Patel holds two pieces of artwork in front of her eyes. She is standing in front of TCDT's Fortnum & Mason window. © TCDT, 2021.

ARMY CADET FORCE – 41 CADET DETACHMENT

In 2021, we initiated a relationship with the Army Cadet Force in Dagenham. Although this is one of the largest detachments in North East London, it was largely unsponsored and underfunded. Our three-year commitment of £9,000 has funded equipment, uniforms, and costs associated with summer camp. In 2021, cadets enjoyed a visit to the Stubbers Adventure Park for new experiences like laser tag, climbing, raft building (pictured above), canoeing, and more.

CITY AND GUILDS

In November 2020, The Company allocated £5k per year (2021-25) to skills-related activities at the City and Guilds London Institute, like the Intertrain course with a Track Maintenance Programme. With six participants in the first year, four have completed the course, three have achieved their Level 2 Train Maintenance Programme, three have found employment locally with Ballycommon (a Civil Engineering Construction Rail company). One participant said, 'I am so grateful for the funding to complete this programme; I always wanted to work on the railway, and this has given me the opportunity to do that.'

THE CREATIVE DIMENSION TRUST (TCDT)

We initially supported The Creative Dimension Trust (TCDT) to the tune of £60k over three years (2019-21). As a result, we funded six workshops in 2021 for the charity, which produces creative skillsdevelopment courses for young people (primarily for those from disadvantaged backgrounds). The participants from these workshops collaborated with others to build a showcase of work, which was exhibited for two weeks in a window display at Fortnum & Mason this past September.

“[The Clothworkers'] funding has given us so much opportunity this year to complete activities that we would never have been able to afford to do! Thank you so much – from all of us.”

Army Cadet Force, 41 Cadet Attachment

HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES

In 2021, our £10k contribution to Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) – alongside donations from other livery companies and corporate sponsors – helped make the 2022 opening of 'Superbloom' at the Tower of London possible. The project opened in time for the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen. In a few more weeks, the full effect of the 20 million seeds planted throughout the Tower's 'moat' should be springing up to create a spectacular display of colour and new garden space in the Square Mile. HRP plans for many of the flowers to remain a permanent fixture within the moat, surrounding the Tower with a sea of colour every year, while improving the green space in the City and supporting the campaign to increase pollinators in London.