A total of 17 charities are sharing £750,000 in grants handed out by the Goldsmiths Foundation, as part of its strategy to boost creativity, technical and vocation skills.

The charitable funding arm of the Goldsmiths Company, the 700-year-old City Livery Company for profession, says the charities have been selected for its inaugural grant scheme for their work to break down barriers to skills faced by underrepresented communities.

Peckham Platform, which delivers skills training and runs arts exhibitions and cultural events in London, is among charities to receive funding.

Its grant will be used to develop its youth support work engaging more than 100 young people through creative access programmes, involving artists commissions and staging an exhibition.

“This support strengthens our mission to connect art, people and place in Peckham, and to create opportunities that celebrate the creativity and voices of our community,” said Peckham Platform interim director Beloved Adnoai.

Another to receive a grant is the Scottish Crannog Centre, which offers visitors the chance to experience Iron Age village life on the shores of Lock Tay in Perthshire and delivers apprenticeships for young people.

A focus of its training is to support prisoners and prison leavers learn skills around needlework and textile production.

“This will mean we can move forward with our ambitions to become a national centre of excellence in traditional craft and engagement, said the Centre’s chief executive Mike Benson.



Goldsmiths Foundation director Michelle O’Brien said: “The inaugural grants fund reinforces our continued support for the development of technical and vocational skills not just in our jewellery and silversmithing trades but across craft, design, art and architecture.

“The 17 grants announced today will empower these organisations to invest in the training and development of skills within their communities.”

The Foundation’s interim chair Michael Pridaux added: “I would like to wish our 17 new charitable partners a very warm welcome. We were fascinated by your applications, captivated by your commitment to your communities, and excited to realise the impact that we can achieve together.”

Over the year the Foundation is committed to handing out £3.5m in grants.

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