Donate

Many young people have no idea that there is a viable future for them in the jewellery making and silversmithing trade. It is a world far removed from them and, for those who do discover the trade, it is often too late to build a career.

The Leopards feel that, if young people at the beginning of their secondary education, were introduced to these crafts by access to toolboxes and other facilities, that some of them will love it enough to want to continue through foundation courses, through college or, perhaps, apprenticeships.

There can be a problem with older apprentices, not familiar with and still unsure of the trade deciding, after their sponsors have spent time and money on them, not to continue.

Introducing people at a young age means they know the trade, are enthusiastic about it and already have basic skills, making them better college student and equipped to begin apprenticeships straight away if that is their chosen route.

The trade is crying out for young people with skills and enthusiasm, but few know that there is a future for them within it. All the jewellers in the Leopards have trained young people, had apprentices and know just how much difference this makes to their confidence, self-worth and futures.

We believe that having these skills gives these young people the tools to choose a productive, interesting, and creative future so please, do help if you can.

We thought it would be original to give an idea of what a bequest could buy and to thank our donors with plaques celebrating their gift on the actual gift, where possible, or by naming the bursary or bequest after them. How we phrase this is your choice. If the gift is to be anonymous we will, of course respect that also.

How can you contribute

Any amount of money you wish to donate, however small, will be gratefully received and productively used, either to go towards the equipment needed to get more young people interested in jewellery making and silversmithing or to go towards tuition fees or foundation courses. Amounts above the suggested donations, below, will be used for multiples of these and at the Leopards’ discretion.

Major donations will fund whole fee scholarships or bursaries.

Here is an idea of what a donation can buy.

£450  |  Beginner's Toolkit

£550 | Work Bench

£1,000  |   A toolkit and bench or tuition fees

£ 2,000  |   A year’s training expenses bursary

£ 5,000  |   A year’s foundation course bursary

Any amount of your choice