Meet four of The Prince's Foundation's ambassadors

Despite the challenges of Covid-19, The Prince’s Foundation was delighted to relaunch its ambassadors programme this year. We look back at how we have profiled four of our ambassadors on social media.

The Prince’s Foundation’s ambassadors support the charity in its vision, mission and strategy. The Foundation looks forward to formally announcing further ambassadors, via social media and engagements, in 2021.

JAY BLADES, BUILDING CRAFTS AMBASSADOR

On 22 July, we were proud to announce Jay Blades, Furniture Restorer and TV Presenter, as a Building Crafts ambassador for the charity.

The Prince’s Foundation offers a number of innovative and inspiring training programmes which aim to help preserve traditional building craft skills such as thatching, stonemasonry, blacksmithing, woodwork and plastering. These heritage craft skills are at risk of being lost as the average age of workers in the heritage craft sector is approaching retirement age.

“I AM HONOURED TO BE INVITED TO BE AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION. HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES’S VISION OF CREATING HARMONIOUS SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IS A PASSION THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART...” – JAY BLADES

“…Championing a sustainable approach to how we live our lives, build our homes and teach traditional arts and crafts are fundamental in all aspects of my philosophy and the DNA that runs through my business Jay & Co.”

JOHN SUGDEN, TEXTILES PROGRAMME AMBASSADOR

John Sugden, owner of Campbells of Beauly was announced as a Textiles Programme Ambassador on 7 August.

The Prince’s Foundation’s Future Textiles programme aims to address a skills gap within the UK textiles industry by offering practical workshops and advanced training courses to school pupils, teachers and those looking to gain employment in the industry. Many of these courses are delivered in the estate’s Textile Training Centre, located in the old sawmill.

Programmes range from one-day workshops for school pupils to in-depth training programmes producing garments for the luxury fashion market. Supporters of the programme including major retailers and brands such as YOOX Net-a-Porter, Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane.

“I'M VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION’S FUTURE TEXTILES PROGRAMME. THE PROGRAMME AREA WHICH I’M ASSISTING EXISTS TO HELP AN INDUSTRY I LOVE AND I AM HUGELY PASSIONATE ABOUT MAINTAINING THE MANUFACTURING SKILLS BASE WE HAVE HERE IN THE UK.” – JOHN SUGDEN

ALAN TITCHMARSH, HORTICULTURE AMBASSADOR

The Prince’s Foundation was proud to announce Alan Titchmarsh as its new Horticulture Ambassador on 23 August.

The Prince’s Foundation runs horticulture-based education and training programmes for school pupils and those of working age on the Dumfries House estate. The 2000-acre Ayrshire estate, typically visited by an estimated 140,000 people each year, has attracted horticulture enthusiasts, and includes an arboretum, walled garden, and maze maintained by a talented gardens team.

Alan said: “I am delighted to become an ambassador for The Prince's Foundation because I have seen at first hand the valuable contribution it has made to society and the way it has changed so many lives for the better."

“AS IS SO OFTEN THE CASE, HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES HAS MANAGED TO IDENTIFY REAL NEEDS AND INITIATE SCHEMES THAT ARE OFTEN IGNORED OR OVERLOOKED BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS. I ADMIRE HIS VISION, HIS TENACITY AND HIS DETERMINATION IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO SO MANY LIVES." – ALAN TITCHMARSH

SARAH BEENY, BUILDINGS & HERITAGE AMBASSADOR

On 27 November, we announce that television presenter and property expert Sarah Beeny has become an ambassador for The Prince’s Foundation.

Beeny, perhaps best-known for presenting Property Ladder and who earlier this month launched a Channel 4 series on moving from London to a new countryside home in Somerset, will champion the charity’s work in buildings and heritage.

“I am extremely proud to be an ambassador of The Prince’s Foundation,” said Sarah.

“HERITAGE-LED REGENERATION AND A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO BUILDING UNDERPINNED WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPACES THAT PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES THRIVE IN IS EVER MORE IMPORTANT AND THE PIONEERING WORK THAT THE FOUNDATION UNDERTAKE IS HUGELY INSPIRING.” – SARAH BEENY