Perennial: some frequently asked questions answered!
What is Perennial?
Perennial - Gardeners' Royal Benevolent is the only UK charity dedicated to helping people who work in horticulture, who are facing need or adversity in their lives. We help people of all ages, from all trades.
Who does Perennial help?
We are here for anyone who is working or has worked in horticulture, from parks staff to propagators, groundskeepers to growers, gardeners, arboriculturists and nursery workers. Our help also extends to the partners, children and close dependants of horticulturists.
What types of problems can you help with?
There is no 'typical' case, and the people we see experience many different situations and problems, sometimes related to their work in horticulture, sometimes not. Frequent issues faced by our clients include long-term ill-health, injury or disability, low income, poor housing, family difficulties, debt, unemployment and/or redundancy, lack of retirement provision.
How does Perennial help?
We provide advice, support and financial help through our nationwide team of caseworkers.
Here are some examples of the types of help we can give:
- Support in making claims for welfare benefits
- One-off financial payments for equipment and furnishings
- Regular financial support
- Help to access sheltered accommodation and retirement homes
- Help with re-housing and other housing issues
- Debt advice (through our specialist debt advice service)
- Advice for those who are self employed or running a small business
Further details about our services and how to access them can be found in our 'Casework, Advice & Support' leaflet, in the 'Helping You' pages of our website www.perennial.org.uk, or by calling us on 0845 230 1839.
All our services are free, confidential, and open to all who need them.How many people does Perennial help?
At any one time, Perennial has many hundreds of clients. Over the past 12 months we have provided assistance to over 1,000 people.
How does Perennial raise funds?
Donations are of course essential to our work - funds come from our generous supporters, from individuals, companies and events, and, of course, from the sales of GRBS goods and cards at shows and fairs up and down the country. Volunteers are vital to us - if this is you, THANK YOU.
Legacies are also a very important source of income for Perennial. Our website has more details about Perennial's finances, including our full accounts.
How can people help you?
In lots of ways! By making a donation, by coming to a Perennial event or Special Event, by buying from our catalogue, by volunteering for us at a show or event - these are just a few examples. We also have supporter schemes for individuals and businesses, through which you can give regular support to our work. The Helping Us pages of our website have more information.
How old is the charity?
This year - 2009 - we celebrate our 170th birthday. The Gardeners' Benevolent Institution (as we were then known) was founded in 1839.
Why did you change the charity's name to Perennial?
As the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society, we traditionally looked after elderly gardeners, when they became too ill or infirm to work. However in 2003, in response to rapid expansion in the trade, we extended our remit to include horticulturists of all ages, from all professions. So, our name was changed to Perennial to reflect this new, expanded focus for our work.
How can people get in contact with Perennial?
Phone 0845 230 1839
Our address 115/117 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SU
Email info@perennial.org.uk