The Essentia Foundation sets sail in Edinburgh
The Essentia Foundation embark on its maiden voyage on People Know How’s All Aboard boat.
Background
August saw The Essentia Foundation embark on its maiden voyage on People Know How’s All Aboard boat. Moored at Polwarth Parish Church, the purpose-built boat is a safe space for people of all ages to gather and socialize on board and outdoors, take part in projects specially designed for children, young people, families and adults, and gain work or volunteering experience.
Project
In 2020, The Essentia Foundation supported People Know How’s Computer Delivery project. The Foundation awarded a grant of £2,500 which enabled People Know How to distribute digital equipment to the communities of Edinburgh and East Lothian. Pre-loved mobiles, laptops and tablets were refurbished by the organisation and delivered to individuals from all walks of life such as parents’ homes schooling, grandparents shielding alone, the disabled community and those who are isolated and in poor mental health.
Impact
Keen to learn more about the organisation’s wider work, Essentia Foundation trustees came together to explore this community space in the heart of the city. Trustees were joined by a Foundation Scotland representative as well as the People Know How team and the charity’s Chief Executive, Glenn Liddal. Over the course of the afternoon, trustees heard about ‘Positive Transitions’, People Know How’s accredited service supporting children, young people and their families through primary and secondary school across Edinburgh and East Lothian. Young people are regularly invited on to the boat to learn new skills, explore nature and build their confidence as they prepare for secondary school.
For People Know How, the visit was a great chance to showcase the work they do on a day-to-day basis.
“As a social innovation charity, People Know How’s strategy is to work as a collaborative partner across all sectors of third, public, academic, and business, to create space where people feel included and empowered to realize their strengths and improve lives. Our values are to be collaborative, dynamic, and people led. For funders, getting to know a charity in person and visually seeing the work they do on the ground, immediately enables them to see how the charity operates and its direct impact. Funders want to help strengthen charities and increase their impact and have to choose between hundreds of funding applications. To help advise any business on their approach and future direction one needs to see the service in action!”
Glenn Liddal, Chief Executive
For The Essentia Foundation, an afternoon on All Aboard demonstrated the importance of project visits and collaboration within the Third Sector; According to Chair of The Essentia Foundation, Brian Davidson:
"It was a real pleasure for the Essentia Trustees to visit and hear of the collaboration between People Know How and the All Aboard team; cruising in a canal boat while discussing how our grant helped is definitely a first for us all. We were really pleased to hear about the ongoing successes of the partnership and the work you both continue to do in support of such a wide range of local communities. Well done and keep up the great work."
The Essentia Foundation look forward to visiting more projects and grantees. Looking to the future, the next round of The Essentia Foundation’s grantmaking programme will re-open on 24th October 2022.