The Plunkett Foundation, a national charity focusing on rural communities, is celebrating 100 years of supporting community business.
The charity was established in 1919 by Sir Horace Plunkett, with the purpose of promoting a model of community ownership as a solution to rural problems.
To mark the centenary, Plunkett will be holding a series of events throughout 2019 and launching enhanced services and new collaborations across the sector.
Plunkett is looking to its members, supporters, beneficiaries and partners, to mark this milestone with them, as they are the cornerstone of what has been achieved over the years. Plunkett could not have succeeded without the involvement of community business volunteers and shareholders, as well as the advocates and funders of community businesses and of Plunkett itself. Sir Horace would be proud of what Plunkett has achieved over the course of a century and the organisation would like thank everyone for all they have done in creating a thriving sector with an exciting future.
James Alcock, Executive Director, 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”.
Margaret Clark CBE, Chair of Plunkett Foundation, said: “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.”
To kick start the centenary celebrations, both Plunkett’s Staff and Trustees have been making visits to a number of community businesses in order to hear more about their impacts in their communities and plans for meeting community needs. Tune into Plunkett’s social media channels using #Plunkett100 where they will be sharing stories, case studies and films encouraging both members and supporters to join us in sharing their own #Plunkett100 stories throughout the year.
ACS will be launching the 2019 Rural Shop Report on 27th February, for more information visit https://www.acs.org.uk/events/rural-shop-report-parliamentary-launch-2019
