A proper thank you

There’s a lot of criticism of funders around at the moment, as grant schemes buckle under the strain of spiralling demand from charities. And I do understand the pressures: many, many charities are really struggling just to make ends meet. But when a funder gets it exactly right, are we just as loud in our appreciation? 

L’Oréal’s support for our Young Scientist Centre has come to an end after an incredible 17 years together. Their support made it possible to design, build and kit out a bespoke laboratory designed especially for young people. Their funding enabled the development and testing of a whole portfolio of hands-on STEM workshops that empower young people aged 7 to 18-years-old to see science as part of their future. 

For younger children, for example, there’s bath bomb making which serves as a practical (and much enjoyed) introduction to chemistry through cosmetics, while for older students there’s forensics, using equipment and processes that they wouldn’t ordinarily experience until university.  

But whatever their age, and whatever the workshop they’re enjoying, I particularly love the fact that these young people can explore and experiment with science in the lower ground floor of the Ri building in Albemarle Street, literally just a few metres away from where Michael Faraday and other famous scientists from our past did exactly the same. 

L’Oréal’s backing has enabled over 35,000 young people, from schools across London and the South East and as far away as Liverpool, Hull and even beyond the UK, to be able to participate. Many, many more young people benefit from enhanced access to science during Ri holiday workshops run by our L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre team outside of school terms.  

What a remarkable legacy to stem from a pot of funding that I understand was initially allocated to L’Oréal regions worldwide to celebrate the organisation’s centenary in 2010. While every region chose to do something different, L’Oréal UK chose to gift a lasting impact.  

The team at L’Oréal have always understood that their support goes far beyond simply money. Their belief in the value of our work has helped fuel a team of passionate, talented and inspiring presenters and technicians. L’Oréal’s advocacy has helped us build relationships with others who share our ethos. L’Oréal’s commitment to the long-term has given us the opportunity to build up a trusted service for teachers and schools. The team at L’Oréal has always been engaged without treading on any toes, clear-sighted about the goals without being overly demanding.  

In an age when our social media feeds are full of outrage and criticism and the news is full of gloom, it’s vital to recognise and thank those people who are genuinely trying to make the world a better place for others.  

So for being – over an incredible 17 years - such a dedicated and uplifting funder for the L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre at the Royal Institution, I wanted to say a proper, public and very genuine thank you: thank you L’Oréal.