RICHMOND PARISH LANDS CHARITY

ANNUAL REPORT 2008 - Education

Achievements

Commitment to Education

1.       Individuals
In the last 12 months the RPLC helped 114 individuals to take a wide range of courses in Further and Higher Education, vocational studies and short courses. Most of these grants act as a springboard to allow students to realise their potential and secure employment   All applicants need to demonstrate that they are in financial need and that the course is one that will help them achieve their goals.

Each year we ask for feedback from students on the difference that an RPLC grant makes to them. Recent responses indicate that for most students the grant makes a huge difference. Several of our grant recipients have done particularly well this year, gaining first class honours degrees or successfully coming to the end of their Masters.

Vocational students have also excelled. A student of stained glass has been granted a prestigious exhibition, a drama student has his first job acting at the Chichester Festival and a young man, supported by RPLC for several years, has finally qualified as a doctor. 40 students have been assisted with fees at the Richmond Adult College . A further 33 have taken vocational courses in subjects ranging from British Sign Language to Radiography with other course providers, We have assisted with the training costs of counsellors, mechanics, beauticians, solicitors, social workers, engineers, dancers, plumbers, art therapists and interior designers.

Our grants are used not just for fees but towards travel, equipment, course materials and general living costs. As we enter into the third decade of education grant giving the need for such support seems as current as it was when our education funding was first established in 1986.

2.   Organisations
Many individuals benefit from education grants awarded to several key organisations in the borough. A grant to the Care Leaver’s Team offers incentives for young people to complete courses successfully through assistance with course costs and a reward element once a year has been completed. A grant to Latchmere resettlement prison provides inmates with grants towards courses which may lead to employment on release and thus reduce the risk of re-offending. Children from the benefit area from low income families are able to receive free music tuition through a grant to the Richmond Music Trust and hundreds of children from local schools enjoy Shakespeare workshops through a grant to the Orange Tree Theatre.

Our younger residents benefit from the support given to the Playgroup Network and the Cambrian drop-in playgroup and young scientists from the annual lecture delivered through Young Science Events in Richmond . Local state schools within the benefit area also receive an annual grant which supports children from low income families to access the curriculum. This benefits around 550 children each year.

In the last year several schools and organisations have received one-off grants:

Grey Court School
The school was given a grant to investigate the feasibility of a school farm at Grey Court School . A visit to a well established school farm at Haywards Heath was provided to show funders the possibilities of such an initiative. £5,000

Waldegrave School PTA
The PTA applied for a grant towards a project to change an unused area into a usable space for creative work. £3,000

Friends of the Vineyard School
Vineyard primary school received a grant to enhance the school kitchen to facilitate preparation of healthy meals. £2,000

RACC Horticulture Project
A new initiative at Richmond Adult College to provide training in horticulture for adults with special needs resulted in a silver medal at the Hampton Court Flower Show. £10,000

East Sheen Primary School
The school received a grant towards an adventure trail for the playground. £4.000

Tam Tam Tales Trust
A grant enabled this trust to do creative work with children who experience a lack of spoken English in their homes. £2,000

Avicenna Supplementary School
The grant supported a community initiative for Afghan children in Richmond . £1,755

Playhouse Nursery
A grant towards a safety surface under a climbing frame. £1,000

© 2008 RPLC