Lycetts supports The Alnwick Garden and Speakers Trust through the Movement for Good Awards

Two charities have received a financial boost from Lycetts through the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

The Alnwick Garden Trust, based in Northumberland, and Speakers Trust, a London-based education charity, have each been awarded £20,000 as part of the Benefact Group’s Partnership Funding programme, which sees 18 charities across the UK and Ireland share a £400,000 pot.

The initiative supports projects that advance education, skills, heritage, arts, culture, climate change and the environment.

The Alnwick Garden Trust will use the funding to expand its Roots and Shoots community allotment programmes, which harness horticulture to support healthier living, wellbeing and social connection.

Through initiatives such as the Roots and Shoots School Programme, local children and families learn to grow and eat nutritious food, while the Gentlemen’s Garden brings men over 55 together to share skills, stay active and support one another. The Young Gardeners project also helps young people with additional needs build confidence, friendships and practical skills through gardening.

The programmes further encourage community-led climate action, helping to reduce food waste and promote sustainable lifestyles.

“On behalf of everyone at The Alnwick Garden, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for awarding us this generous funding,” said Lauren St Hilaire, Senior Partnerships Manager, The Alnwick Garden.

“The support means so much to us and will make a real difference to the work we do in our Roots & Shoots programmes.”

Meanwhile, Speakers Trust will use its £20,000 grant to train more teachers as in-school communication coaches through new digital and online learning resources.

Each year, Speakers Trust helps around 40,000 young people across 700 state schools develop the confidence to express ideas, influence change and fulfil their potential.

“Too many young people leave school without the skills or confidence to express their ideas in public,” said Russell Findlay, CEO of Speakers Trust.  “Our Speak Out Challenge programme tackles this by providing training and events that help state school students develop essential public speaking skills.

“We are incredibly grateful to Lycetts and the Benefact Group for their generous support, which enables us to bring the Speak Out Challenge to even more schools across the country. Together, we’re helping thousands of young people find their voice, share their opinions and build the confidence to make a difference.

“With the upcoming introduction of votes at 16, this partnership arrives at a pivotal moment empowering a new generation to speak up, be heard and shape the future.”

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, added: “Benefact Group is owned by a charity, and giving back is at the heart of everything we do – all our available profits go to good causes. Our mission is simple: the more we grow, the more we can give.

“We understand the importance of longer-term funding for charities, especially when trying to bring ambitious new ideas to life and get larger transformative projects off the ground. Through our Partnership Funding, we’re actively championing innovation and giving charities the backing they need to turn creative ideas into practical solutions that benefit society.”

Through the Movement for Good Awards, Lycetts and Benefact Group are helping charities such as The Alnwick Garden Trust and Speakers Trust continue their vital work – enriching communities, supporting wellbeing and empowering the next generation to thrive.