MERGER TO HELP GARDENERS' CHILDREN

Perennial, horticulture's occupational charity, is broadening the scope of its work by merging with the Royal Fund for Gardeners' Children (RFGC).
Established in 1886, the RFGC provides help for children of horticulturists who have lost a parent or whose families are experiencing difficult circumstances, with the aim of ensuring that they are not disadvantaged by their circumstances and can benefit from the educational opportunities open to them. Annually, the charity provides £50,000 of grants for such children; these young people will now have the additional support of Perennial's casework and debt advice team.
Perennial's Chairman Sir Roger Singleton - a former Chief Executive of Barnardo's - said: "The welfare and interests of children has been at the heart of this decision; the merger will ensure a seamless service for the greater benefit of both the children and adults within any family that we help."
Terry Read, outgoing Chairman of the RFGC, said: "This is the best decision we could have made for the children who are in our care now and in the future. These youngsters are often facing extremely difficult circumstances; they need and deserve all the support we can give."
Donations can continue to be made to the Royal Fund for Gardeners' Children through Perennial. For further information visit www.perennial.org.uk .

Notes for editors

Please use these notes to help you answer any questions you may have.

If they do not fully address the point, please contact:
Richard Capewell, Chief Executive, Perennial. Tel: 01372 373962
Sheila Thomson, Director of Services, Perennial. Tel : 01372 373962,
email sthomson@perennial.org.uk

Why is the RFGC merging with Perennial?

Since the retirement of the RFGC's long serving administrator in 2010 a closer working relationship developed between the two charities which was formalised in the following months. It soon became obvious that it would be of great benefit to the clients of both charities if the organisations merged to provide a seamless service for families.

Is the intention of the merger to save money?

No, this is not a cost saving exercise - it is intended to improve our services for horticulturists and their children. There will be some savings on back office and administration costs which will increase the proportion of funds available for gardeners' children. The merger was not, however, driven by the need to save money.

What will happen to the children currently being helped by the RFGC?

Children will continue to receive the same financial help that was provided by the RFGC and in addition will have easy access to the services of Perennial's casework team.

Will Perennial continue to help children who meet the criteria that would have given them access to RFGC help - will this impact on the services Perennial already provides for adult horticulturists?

The merger means that Perennial will now be offering services to the whole family, through a single initial application for the children and adults within a family. Services to other Perennial clients will not be affected.

What will happen to RFGC funds?

They have been ring fenced to be used to help the children of horticulturists.

Can RFGC donors continue to support horticulturists' children who need help or will their donations end up in Perennial's general funds?

Restricted donations can be made to those ring fenced RFGC funds. However, children's difficulties are usually just one aspect of a wider family problem, so unrestricted donations to Perennial's general funds will help us to provide support for both children and families a more holistic way.

What happens to the RFGC charity number?

The RFGC has ceased to exist as a separate charity and the number will in due course be removed from the Charity Commission website.