Plunkett Foundation, which supports rural community businesses in the UK, turns 100 today – and it wants members and supporters to help celebrate through a social media project.
The organisation was born on 17 January 1919 when Sir Horace Plunkett signed its original trust deed. A supporter of co-operation as a method of sustainable local development, he set up the foundation . to promote community ownership as a solution to rural problems.
“The fact that 100 years later communities throughout the UK and beyond are increasingly using this community business model as a means of safeguarding or reintroducing local services and assets is testament to the vision of Sir Horace and the resilience of the model itself,” said the Plunkett Foundation in a statement on its website.
“We’d love your community business to be a part of our centenary celebrations by sharing your photos and videos with us so that we can share these across our social media channels and highlight what makes community businesses so special.
“Whether you’d like so share well-wishes, let us know how Plunkett helped you, or show us celebrations of a special landmark at your community business send us your photos, a short (15-25 seconds) video that you’ve filmed on your phone, or a written message.”
Staff and trustees of Plunkett have been making visits to community businesses to hear more about their impacts in their communities and plans for meeting community needs.
Plunkett will also hold a series of events throughout 2019, and is launching enhanced services and new collaborations across the sector.
Executive director James Alcock said: “Over the course of 100 years, the foundation has constantly evolved its services in response to the changing environment in which rural communities operate, and in order to help them respond to the challenges of the time.
“What has remained constant over the century is the resilience of rural communities themselves, and the application of co-operative principles to help themselves through the model which today we refer to as community business. The centenary year is therefore a timely opportunity to be launching new initiatives from our 2018-22 strategy which will strengthen support for community business and I look forward to sharing further details throughout the year.”
Chair Margaret Clark added: “It is a tribute to Sir Horace’s forward thinking that his vision of communities coming together to form and run their own businesses for the benefit of locally is still as strong today. Indeed, it is even more relevant as rural communities across the country face the challenges of the future.
“But it also depends upon the extraordinary efforts of the people involved and I should like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed over the years – funders, partners, members, staff and Trustees for their help and support. At Plunkett Foundation, we look forward to carrying on the work started by Sir Horace into the future.”
The celebrations will be shared on social media with the hashtag #Plunkett100, and supporters can upload their own files through dropbox. Email ashley.sellwood@plunkett.co.uk for more details.
