It’s now three years since we launched the Berkeley Foundation’s ambitious 2030 Strategy and time to take stock of our achievements so far, and the vital work ahead of us.
First and foremost, I’m hugely proud to report that our ground-breaking programmes and partnerships have reached more than 27,000 people in our local communities over the last three years. As always, we’ve focussed on those who face the greatest needs and inequalities. And we’ve provided meaningful support around housing, skills, employment, health and wellbeing.
We have continued to expand and evolve our charitable programmes, including exciting new partnerships with St Basils, a fantastic youth homelessness charity based in Birmingham, and Groundwork London, an environmental charity helping young people build leadership skills and become the next generation of change-makers.
And we have found new ways to support a voluntary sector under enormous pressure, including supporting 20 charities to build long term organisational strength through our new Resilience Fund, and distributing over £260,000 in emergency cost-of-living grants to our charity partners.
As ever, our incredible people from right across Berkeley Group have been the cornerstone of the Foundation’s mission. They have contributed more than ever before to the Foundation’s work and driven us forward in countless ways. We have seen employee fundraising return to – and then exceed – pre-pandemic levels. Through a revitalised focus on the volunteering opportunities we offer to Berkeley colleagues, many more have given their time and skills to support our local communities.
As we look ahead to the next three years, I am delighted to announce that Piers Clanford is taking over from me as the new Chair of Trustees for the Berkeley Foundation. Piers joined Berkeley in 1996, has been Chair of St George and St Joseph since 2020 and joined the Foundation’s board of Trustees in January 2023. He’s been a passionate supporter of the Foundation since the day we launched and has been deeply involved with many of our partnerships, including with SPEAR, Honeypot, St Basils, Crisis, The Lord’s Taverners, New Horizon Youth Centre and The Change Foundation.
It has been my honour and privilege to serve as Chair for the last 13 years. I want to thank everyone who’s supported the Foundation over this incredible journey and done so much to strengthen the communities in which we work. I look forward to continuing to serve the Foundation as a Trustee and to supporting its vital mission and strategy in the years to come.
Rob Perrins
Chair of Trustees, Berkeley Foundation