Identity, community and citizenship in the UK

We have initiated a series of schools linking projects across England, enabling young people to meet and explore their own and each other’s identities.  We similarly help young people from all walks of life to achieve their potential through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and we are improving opportunities for children with special needs through the Pears National Centre for Autism Education and other projects. We also work with organisations that tackle social exclusion.

In 2010 we established the Pears Institute for the Study of Antisemitism at Birkbeck College, University of London, to deepen understanding of racism and xenophobia.

Understanding difference

We helped establish the Schools Linking Network, which offers support, training and resources to teachers and local authorities. Our funding enabled the network to grow from a successful local project in Bradford to a national organisation. We also work with the Three Faiths Forum to help young people develop an increased understanding of different faiths.

The study of antisemitism is vital to the understanding of all forms of prejudice and xenophobia. In 2010 we established the Pears Institute for the Study of Antisemitism at Birkbeck College, University of London, in partnership with the Wiener Library.   

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Pears Foundation has been a major partner of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since 2003.

Almost 4 million young people have taken part in the DofE over the last 50 years. In 2007, in partnership with the DofE, we commissioned the University of Northampton to carry out a major study of the award’s impact. This research has provided evidence of the lasting benefits for the young people who participate. Ninety per cent of participants said that it had given them opportunities to help others and 93% said that they had developed teamwork skills.

The research has enabled the DofE to build its profile, refine its strategy and improve the programme. We continue to partner with the organisation as it implements the recommendations.

Special Educational Needs

We provide resources for education for children and young people with special needs, with a particular focus on autism.

Since 2005 the Foundation has invested over £1.25 million in Ambitious about Autism, the national charity for autism education.  The Pears National Centre for Autism Education opened in 2009 and provides a state-of-the-art building for the charity’s headquarters and TreeHouse school. We continue to partner with Ambitious about Autism to expand the scope and impact of their activities.

The Pears Special Resource Provision for children with autism opened at JCoSS, London’s new Jewish secondary school, in September 2010.

Pears Foundation invests in research in this area. We partner with the Centre for Research in Autism and Education at the Institute of Education. Established in 2009, the Centre aims to improve outcomes for young people with autism and its findings will influence policy and practice in the UK and world-wide.

We have a longstanding relationship with the RNIB including the establishment of the RNIB Pears Centre in Coventry, a new residential facility for children with severe and complex special needs.

Social Exclusion

We invest in organisations that tackle social exclusion and support marginalised groups, including carers and ex service men and women. Partners include The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Marie Curie Cancer Care, The Place2Be and Gardening Leave.