As you all know, there are two parts of PICT’s charitable activity, benevolence and education, and this report will cover both.
Beginning with the education arm. At the 2024 AGM, we reported that we were in the early stages of dialogue with the Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy. The purpose which prompted that dialogue was threefold: 1) to ensure that we are not just sitting and waiting for charitable assistance requests to arrive; 2) to develop the education cornerstone of our constitution; and 3) to ensure that we are not in the spotlight from the Charity Commission, which needs to know that we are distributing our coffers, and not just sitting on funds gained from a successful annual lunch.
Through an identification and selection model created by The Academy, we were able to support three Year 13 individual students with a bursary, granted by PICT. We were involved with the final selection of chosen students, and we shall be receiving feedback on each as they commence their careers. This is a model that we expect to repeat for this year, and subsequent years, and we think can be further developed.
Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy changed their name in September last year, to the Leigh Stationers’ Academy. This was to fully represent the two main financial and structural supporters of the school, namely Leigh Academies Trust and The Stationers’ Foundation. Of course, with our past history of connections with The Stationers’ Company, this whole student initiative feels like keeping it in the family.
On the benevolence side of our constitution, things have been happening there also. We have received new requests for assistance, and in each case have responded positively. And responding positively does not always mean handing out money. As you know, we will not divulge individual case specifics, but I can say that in recent months we have agreed help to an individual, who subsequently withdrew the request due to a change in personal circumstances. But their gratitude to PICT for taking the interest was very evident. We gave advice to an individual on the correct charitable channel for them to present their request. And yes, we have given some financial assistance in cases where our qualifying criteria was appropriately met.
So, we are very satisfied with recent progress, but we maintain our plea for all PICT members to help promote the message that we are here to help. And please let us restate our firm promise that any approach to us shall be treated in complete confidentiality.
And, as always, our thanks to all PICT members and friends for continuing to support us.
From the Trustees of PICT