Perennial calls on industry to help
Perennial’s 2022 Impact Report and recent figures show the pressing need for its services across the industry. 24,000 preventative services and activities were delivered last year, with 1,895 people and their families receiving direct personal support to improve their lives.
During the first half of 2023, Perennial provided services to 1,184 people, compared to 897 in the first half of 2022. This steep increase of 31% highlights the urgent need for increased support for Perennial’s work from the industry.
Perennial’s vision is for all those who work with plants, trees, flowers or grass to know about Perennial and how it can help.
Industry support
The charity relies on and is grateful to those demonstrating a commitment to support the horticultural community and invest in its future. In 2022:
- 123 businesses were part of Perennial’s Partner Scheme contributing £93k worth of funding.
- Four major wholesale nurseries collaborated to form Plants for Perennial. The joint initiative is an example of how businesses can work together to raise funds and awareness through plant sales.
- 45 businesses supported employees through Perennial’s mental health first aiders’ pilot scheme that was launched to create a culture of mental wellbeing in the workplace.
- 700 trade show visitors monitored their health using Perennial's health kiosk, blood pressure checks and grip strength tests.
Perennial’s Chief Executive Peter Newman says: “…We help those facing challenging times as well as providing advice and guidance to prevent small issues from becoming big problems. We enable people to be more in control of their health, financial and social wellbeing. With dedicated online resources, tools and apps alongside our one-on-one support services, we aim to offer something of benefit to everyone within the UK’s horticultural community and ask the industry to show its support and help us spread the word.”
Free services for people in horticulture that the industry can promote are:
- Nudge, the free personalised money management tool introduced to help improve people’s financial wellbeing with relevant financial information that can have a positive impact on their money management. 115 people took control of their money and financial wellbeing within the first few weeks of its launch.
- A Health & Wellbeing platform and app offered to support the body, mind and life, with people regularly engaging with recipe ideas, fitness plans, meditations, articles, podcasts and videos. 420 users were guided by the health and wellbeing app last year.
- Help with training - Upskilling and training support trebled in 2022 compared to 2021, enabling 76 people to enhance their careers.
- Helpline: For advice, information and support use the online Services Contact Form at perennial.org.uk/services-contact-form or call 0800 093 8543.
Read more about Perennial’s impact on the lives and futures of people in horticulture at perennial.org.uk/impactreport2022.