London charity Camden Giving is set to benefit from a new corporate partnership that will support their work in the local community raising vital funds and raising their profile with wider audiences. The Camden Watch Company, an independent British brand based in the heart of Camden has teamed up with Camden Giving by creating a limited-edition unisex timepiece with all profits going to the charity’s Future Changemakers Fund.
Inspired by Victorian symbolism, the Camden Giving Limited Edition Watch features an intricate, hand-drawn heart design in the centre of its dial. The chosen colour is the light green taken from the Camden Giving logo, a colour that represents renewal, safety and most importantly, life.
Inspired by the tattoo culture of Camden Town, husband and wife team Jerome Robert and Anneke Short, founders of The Camden Watch Company, went back to their roots and their sketchpads to create an anatomical, hand-drawn heart with a punch of tattoo styling that sits at the centre of the dial. The dial also incorporates the motto of Camden – Non Sibi Sed Toti (Not For One But For All) – perfectly summing up this collaboration. The watch will retail for £159.
As a champion of participatory grant making, Camden Giving recruits local Camden residents to join its various funding panels, who are responsible for deciding how any grant money is awarded to charities, social enterprises and community groups in Camden. It believes that the diverse life experiences of those people who live in the very areas the funds aim to support, bring insight and understanding at a grass roots level that is invaluable in determining how the funds can best help those who need it the most and bring about positive change.
Camden Giving’s pioneering process of participatory grant making ensures diversity and inclusivity, appointing local individuals from minority groups, including different ethnicities, people on low incomes, people with disabilities and those with experience of the criminal conviction system – typically those people who are usually excluded from decision-making. Panellists receive training and support in their role, including how to be anti-racist grant makers, from Camden Giving.
Natasha Friend, Director at Camden Giving, says: “Support from businesses like The Camden Watch Company is crucial because our work wouldn’t be possible without it. It means a lot to us that they recognise the importance of our efforts and choose to contribute. The funds raised from this limited-edition watch will help us advance our support for essential initiatives in Camden, including the Youth Futures Fund to address youth violence through activities including sport and developing workplace skills.”
“We hope this partnership encourages other businesses to step up and support our community. Although Camden generates more wealth than Manchester and Birmingham combined, it’s not always shared fairly, and more support is needed to ensure everyone benefits.”
For further information about participatory grant making and the work of Camden Giving in creating a better future in Camden go to www.camdengiving.org.uk
The Camden Giving Limited Edition Watch is available to buy from www.CamdenWatchCompany.com
