GROWING FOR GOOD
At Spier we believe we can make a difference through learning
Growing trees in exchange for life-changing support
Tree-preneurs
Spier provides land, facilities and a manager to drive Tree-preneurs in the Cape. This project teaches members of impoverished communities how to care for indigenous plants. Once the seedlings they’ve been given to nurture are big enough, these are exchanged for food vouchers, clothing, bicycles, educational support and other essentials.
Helping School kids realise their potential
Community keepers at Spark School Lynedoch
Spier supports a local primary school in the Lynedoch Eco-village, by sponsoring a multidisciplinary team of Community Keepers who offer psychological and social services such as counseling, therapy, assessments, as well as life skills programmes and parenting workshops. This ensures that local children are given the best possible chance to realise their full potential.
Social cohesion through performance and play
Sisonke Social Circus
Spier provides a venue for the Sisonke Social Circus which offers free performing arts training to children from vastly different backgrounds. The circus fosters social cohesion, connection and inclusion, while enhancing skills such as teamwork, balance and coordination.
Training for unemployed youth
Harambee youth employment accelerator
Spier recruits entry-level staff through Harambee, an initiative which sources, trains and places unemployed young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into their first jobs. We are working closely with Harambee to help grow the initiative in the Cape.
Developing artisan skills in mosaic and ceramics
Creative Block Arts Project
The three-year Spier Arts Academy Apprenticeship Programme develops master artisan skills in the mediums of ceramics and mosaic. Founded in 2009, the first mosaic class graduated in 2011 while the ceramic apprentices began training in 2015. There is an intake of roughly 30 apprentices per year.
Artistic collaborations in the ancient art of mosaic
Artisan Studio
This studio facilitates collaborations between artists and ceramic and mosaic artisans – thereby nourishing the talent and economic viability of practitioners in both mediums. It’s also home to the an apprenticeship programme. In addition to its Cape Town HQ, the studio has a satellite space at Spier.
Conserving wildlife through education
Eagle Encounters
Spier supports Eagle Encounters by donating land, electricity and water for its facilities. Visitors to this raptor rehabilitation, conservation and education project based at Spier can interact with birds of prey, and learn about out how these magnificent animals keep ecosystems healthy and balanced.
Facilitating personal development and wellbeing
Individual Learning Spend
Each employee receives money to spend on their personal development. The stipend can be spent on anything that will empower our staff with skills and knowledge, boost health and wellbeing, foster financial wellness or enhance self-awareness and self-knowledge. Certain staff members may use this money to help pay for their children’s school fees.
Empowering staff to make a positive difference
Love the Land
Because each employee is an ambassador for Spier and its values, every new member of our team participates in a five-day training course that explores environmental and social challenges. The course forges an understanding of the role our employees can play in a global society, encouraging them to create a positive and meaningful impact as 'agents of change'.
Practical experience for new entrants to the wine industry
Pinotage Youth Development Academy
Spier is a participating employer in the Pinotage Youth Development Academy which seeks to educate and employ disadvantaged youth in the wine industry. Practical work experience is provided at Spier in various aspects of the business. On average we mentor four students per module, for the duration of the programme. Read more here.
PACK FOR A PURPOSE
SPIER SUPPORTS PACK FOR A PURPOSE
Pack for Purpose aims to impact positively on communities around the world by assisting travellers who want to bring meaningful contributions to the destinations they visit. The project has partnered with Spier Hotel, which has selected three projects which guests can donate much-needed items to.