Many people are unaware that the site and buildings of The Bishop's Palace and Gardens are owned by the Church Commissioners and operated by The Palace Trust, a registered charity.

As a charity, working with the local community is a key focus for the Palace. And it's been a busy 18 months for the team who are encouraging local community organisations, including in and around Shepton Mallet, to get in touch to explore how new partnerships could be formed.

Community initiatives at the Palace over the last 18 months have included:

· Providing over 150 complimentary People's Tickets – valid for 12 months - for local people who will benefit from them the most;

· Providing 23 family membership passes to local Ukrainian families;

· Donating produce from the Palace's community garden to local foodbanks during the harvesting season;

· Setting up a Community Membership Scheme to encourage local not-for-profit groups and organisations to make the most of this unique heritage site at the heart of Wells;

· Offering meeting and activity space to 11 local community groups;

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· Providing the 70 nearest schools with one complimentary class visit a year;

· Providing three community groups with the opportunity to learn new skills in the Community Garden including school children from The Blue School working with Growing Roots;

· Offering opportunities for local people to return to work, gain work experience, and created new pathways into employment including via the Kickstart Scheme and apprenticeships;

· Plus, each member of our staff has 2 days each year to volunteer within the community.

Siobhan Goodwin, the Palace's Community Engagement Manager says "We want to give a warm welcome to everyone and play our part in making the area a wonderful place to live and visit.

I would be delighted to hear from anyone in our local community who has any ideas, suggestions or proposals for ways that we could work with you or how you might like to get involved with any of the Palace's community initiatives".

Siobhan can be contacted via email at [email protected]