At THE PIGs, we recognise our responsibility to be a force for good, making sure the patches we call home (and the people that make them so) are well looked after.
That’s why each PIG has a dedicated, local charity partner to help make a positive impact in the communities we’re rooted in, working together to make sure we leave the land in a better way than we found it.
Meet the brilliant local charities we’re proud to have as our partners and friends…
THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay
The Wave Project
At our most westerly PIG, THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay, we are proud partners with The Wave Project. This fantastic, national charity has its Head Quarters based down here with us in Cornwall – they advocate for helping to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing through their award-winning Surf Therapy programme and specialist Adaptive Surfing Hubs across 16 locations in the UK (including Scotland and Northern Ireland).
“The Wave Project is close to our hearts because we have a lot of parents in our team, and life isn’t always easy for them or their kids,” says Lukas Andr, our Hotel Director. “Children’s mental wellbeing simply doesn’t get the interest or the investment it requires.”
Leading by example, Lukas has taken part in the six-week surf training programme that enables someone to volunteer for the charity. “It’s important for us to show that hospitality is an industry that genuinely cares for people,” he says. “We want to support these kids as best we can, even with some smaller gestures like bringing them hot chocolate and cookies after a surf session.”
More of the team at THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay are looking to complete the surf training programme this year, and we’re getting fully stuck in with planning how we can support this incredibly valuable cause in our community for 2025.
THE PIG-at Combe
Children’s Hospice South West
In the Otter Valley, at THE PIG-at Combe, we’re proud supporters of Children’s Hospice South West, who provide care and support for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and offer support for their whole family.
Children’s Hospice South West has been our chosen charity for so many years, and our teams are always eager to roll up their sleeves to help raise money and awareness – like walking 50 miles from Bude to Harlyn Bay over 3 days (some of our shoes even broke from the steep terrains!).
But we also want to show our spirit of generosity for the families and staff at Little Bridge House (the hospice in Devon), too – from our therapists hosting a day of treatments and afternoon tea for family members, to our gardening teams helping to plant a lovely garden at the hospice last summer.
From fundraising events to volunteer days, we’re looking forward to what’s in store together for the seasons ahead!
THE PIG-near Bath
Jamie’s Farm
Tucked in the folds of the Mendip Hills, our team at THE PIG-near Bath are passionate about supporting Jamie’s Farm – a charity blending farming, family, therapy and legacy into a five-day residential and follow-up programme, that acts as a catalyst for change, helping young people to thrive at school and beyond. With Jamie’s Farm, we volunteer, raise awareness and donate to help wherever possible – and they’re even one of our local suppliers of lamb for delicious dishes on our menu!
THE PIG-on the beach
The CRUMBS Project
On the Dorset coast, THE PIG-on the beach are proud to support The CRUMBS Project for 2025 – a local hospitality training centre for adults with disabilities, neurodivergence and a wide range of mental and physical health conditions, helping to bring new talent to our industry.
At THE PIG-on the beach, our team members, including Head Chef James Shadbolt and Sous Chef James Rothnie, recently met the trainees and hosted a cooking masterclass on how to prepare and serve pigeon.
“I was so impressed by the attitude, application and genuine passion from the trainees,” says James. “We’re planning to have some of them do work experience in our kitchen and it would be great if, for some, it might lead to part-time or full-time roles with us in the future.”
“Hospitality is somewhere anyone can express themselves and show their personality; anyone who has the right attitude can succeed,” he adds. “I’m genuinely so excited by the partnership with The CRUMBS Project and look forward to passing on some of our knowledge and experience.”
THE PIG
The New Forest Trust
In the New Forest, at THE PIG, The New Forest Trust is close to our hearts – and to our doorstep! The charity support the conservation of the unique landscape we call home as well as protect the forest wildlife and traditional commoning way of life.
The New Forest Trust is heavily invested in helping to reduce the number of animal accidents on the roads across the forest – and, from THE PIG’s £1 voluntary donations on menus, the funds raised have helped to re-print “Sally the Pony” storybooks which The New Forest Trust distribute around the area to help educate and inspire behaviour change.
We’re also supporting other initiatives such as The Salt Lick project (helping to keep animals away from the salt on icy roads), and the non-native invasive plant project that aims to help control the spread of non-native plants along rivers and wetland habitats to protect local wildlife.
THE PIG-in the South Downs
South Downs National Park Trust
Trotting across the countryside to Madehurst, our team at THE PIG-in the South Downs are proud partners with the South Downs National Park Trust – an independent charity increasing support for our much-loved landscape.
We love how they share our passion for bees so, naturally, we support their Beelines Appeal – planting new wildflower corridors in our gardens and grounds to connect pockets of species-rich chalk grassland across the Downs.
THE PIG-at Bridge Place
Lily’s Social Kitchen
Finally, over at our red-bricked musical honeypot in Kent, THE PIG-at Bridge Place, we’re so pleased to support Lily’s Social Kitchen. Lily’s are a social enterprise creating work and training opportunities for people from all walks of life through their cafes, catering business and office space.
Lily’s share our commitment to food, training and development – and the funds we raised from our £1 voluntary menu donations recently went towards a new kitchenette for the Lily’s team.
THE PIG-in the Cotswolds
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
At our newest PIG, THE PIG-in the Cotswolds, we are proud partners with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT). Like us, GWT want everyone in our community to value and enjoy wildlife in our county because we strongly believe it matters – not only in its own right, but for the huge benefits it brings to the people of Gloucestershire.
We’re specifically helping to support GWT’s Cotswolds Canals Connected project, helping to preserve, recreate and reconnect Gloucestershire’s wild places to support biodiversity right here in the patch we call home!
Watch this space, and keep an eye on our Instagram to see more of how we’re supporting our local charity partners – and the community – this year and beyond. We’re not saying we’re perfect, but you can be sure we’re thinking about every detail, every day to make a positive difference where we can.
