More than £76,000 has been invested in Somerset communities through a charitable fund established by global fashion brand Mulberry and managed by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF).
Founded in Chilcompton in 1971, Mulberry created the Mulberry Somerset Community Fund in 2021 to give back to the county where the business began. 
To date, the fund has awarded more than £61,000 in grants to local groups, alongside £15,000 to the Somerset Care Leavers Fund, which supports young people aged 18 to 25 as they transition to independence.
The latest boost came during Somerset Day month in May, when Mulberry selected SCF as its charity partner for customer donations across its stores nationwide. Customers donations raised an additional £2,320 for the fund, with half of the total matched through Adyen Giving.
One local group benefiting from Mulberry’s support is On Your Bike, a charity that helps people build confidence, learn new skills and access affordable transport through cycling. A contribution of £2,000 from the Mulberry Somerset Community Fund is supporting a pilot project in Bridgwater near The Willows, their second UK factory, providing low-cost refurbished bicycles and maintenance support to families who would otherwise be unable to access them.
Kristen Pye, Philanthropy and Marketing Director at SCF, said: “Mulberry is a fantastic example of a global business staying true to its Somerset roots. We were incredibly proud to be chosen as its charity partner during May, bringing Somerset communities to the attention of customers across the UK.
“Our local knowledge and strong relationships with charitable groups across the county allow us to help businesses like Mulberry give with purpose and strengthen their environmental, social and governance goals while making a real difference to local communities here in Somerset.”
Rosie Wollacott, Head of Group Sustainability at Mulberry, added: “Working with SCF connects us with local groups and organisations on the ground who need our support, but who we may never have come across ourselves. The Fund has enabled us to give with purpose and strengthen our focus on projects that champion creativity, craft and mental health, while helping tackle wider challenges facing communities across Somerset.”
Businesses interested in supporting local communities through SCF can find out more at www.somersetcf.org.uk/business.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
