Social impact 2025

In 2025, RIVIAM supported eight charities across Bath and the wider region, strengthening local services that promote health, wellbeing and social connection. Our support went beyond financial contributions, combining fundraising, sponsorship, volunteering, donated resources and advocacy. From organising charity events and sponsoring community fairs to providing free meeting space, technology and time for our team to volunteer, we focused on making a practical, lasting difference. We also used our voice to raise awareness - attending events, amplifying charity work and speaking publicly about the role businesses can play in supporting the voluntary sector.

Our partnership with Mentoring Plus

Ruth Keily, CEO of Mentoring Plus said:

"We’re so inspired by everything RIVIAM does to support local charities, and our own partnership with the organisation feels creative, fun and impactful. We’ve directly benefited from money raised by the RIVIAM team at events supporting our work, and there’s another exciting one being planned which has the potential to become a regular event. We asked for help with a specific equipment need, and were fortunate enough to receive both the equipment and advice on how to deploy it, which was fantastic. It’s also been great to welcome RIVIAM team members volunteering at our events, going way above and beyond, and to maximise PR opportunities together like co-guesting on local radio.

We really need the support of local businesses to keep our work going with children and young people facing challenges in school, at home and with mental wellbeing going. We support about 300 young people in Bath & NE Somerset with 1-1 mentoring each year and a further 20-30 with youth clubs. Mentees feel more confident, more able to engage with education and make positive choices for their future, helping our whole community be safer and more cohesive. Thank you for your support!"

Our partnership with Bath Philharmonia

During the first year of our partnership, thanks to RIVIAM's support, Bath Phil have been able to extend their creative learning programme to reach new schools and commit to putting co-created work with young people in their professional concerts.

They have worked with 90 young carers from Wiltshire, Bath & North East Somerset and Bristol & South Gloucestershire. 

Through their schools and creative learning projects with our support they have reached:

• Over 400 children have taken part in 250 hours of making music
• Co-created 20 new pieces of music and 250 pieces of artwork
• Shared their music in 10 performances at The Forum, Bristol Beacon, Bath Abbey and local venues
• Reached over 10,000 audience members in live performances
• 250 children have played a musical instrument for the first time
• 70 sang in a choir for the first time.

Beyond the statistics they know that their work contributes to developing musical learning, to improving young people's wellbeing, enhancing social skills and giving them access to future music making.

"I made new friends and feel less alone." (Young Carer's feedback)

They create a safe and brave learning environment that encourages creative risk, develops collaboration skills and encourages participation no matter what their musical experience, age or background. The confidence young people develop through their projects is obvious to audiences, they arrive on the stages excited, proud, well-rehearsed and supported by a family of musicians, celebrating their musical achievements.

"Everyone said I did a great job and I should be proud of myself." (Young Carer's feedback)

 

"I got to learn to play different instruments that I have never played before." (Young Carer's feedback)

Their next season will build on the successes of this one and because of the ongoing support from RIVIAM, they have committed to:

• Inviting a primary school to every concert rehearsal to take part in a workshop and then meet the conductor
• Continue to deliver a young carer project in every school holiday and expand into the East of England (Central Bedfordshire)
• Expand our teens choral project - Harmony Rising - to reach secondary schools in Somer Valley and Chew Valley.

We are looking forward to the next three years of collaborating, connecting and co-creating.

Simone Homes, Executive Director of Bath Phil said:

"RIVIAM Digital Care's support is helping Bath Phil reach more young people than ever before. Their commitment to improving lives through technology aligns perfectly with Bath Phil's mission to transform lives through the joy of live orchestral music. Our partnership is already amplifying our Creative Learning work and together we're ensuring that creativity, wellbeing and opportunity are at the heart of our community."

You can have a look at some of the Young Carer's projects below:

Wiltshire Young Carers: https://youtu.be/r1p8qbxe5ew?si=dcIrEbRNXvSBX2Id 

Bristol & Glouc Young Carers: https://youtu.be/ooQZpEjg6og?si=FKk3IwzRZAEPjIIe 

Harmony Rising: https://youtu.be/fkc1S-MTU90?si=1-Z79na6hGxwVadc 

Team initiatives

This year, our team has generously given their time to support charities close to their hearts, including Mentoring Plus, Age UK Bath and North East Somerset, Radio Bath CIO and All Cycle Bath & West. 

Alongside volunteering, we’ve also pulled together food donations for the Bath, Keynsham and Somer Valley Foodbank, helping to support individuals and families in our community during the festive season.