News from your Planned Giving team

When a typhoon hits, mass destruction follows. Climate change has an adverse effect on the communities we work with all over the world, particularly in the Philippines where there are an average of 20 typhoons a year, rising sea levels and ocean acidification.  

But thanks to people like Grace, pictured here tending to a mangrove tree sapling with her daughter, there is hope. The humble mangrove – a mangled tropical wetland tree – grows quickly and provides protection.  

Grace puts agroecological theory into practice and leads her local ecotourism site with rigour and pride. Together, her community stands strong in the face of climate change, not just for today, but for generations to come.

‘Portraits of Peace and the stories behind them’ gallery

May 2025

2 minute read

Did you know that every year we hold an event to meet up with those of you who pledge a gift in your Will to us?

Why I hear you ask? Because, despite UK VSO being completely remote these days, we are still a people organisation and we love seeing you in person. And you tell us you love seeing us too, and more than that, you love seeing each other.  

Since the pandemic, these annual meet ups have been centred around London. However, listening to feedback told us that we were being ‘too London centric’. So, we held this years event in the East Midlands. Nottingham, at the Contemporary Arts Gallery to be exact.  

Guests enjoyed a huge hung exhibition of portraits of people who participate in our peace building initiatives. Julia, our Chair of Trustees, gave a galvanising welcome. Alice, our Communications Officer and Anne our resident peace expert, gave interesting talks about the peace projects we featured. Anne even joined us virtually from the Philippines.  

To join us at our next event, simply drop Rosie O’Connor an email at legacies@vsoint.org and she will make sure you are on the list.

View all our photos here