Supporting The Pearl Exchange

For 2021, we’re excited to announce our partnership with The Pearl Exchange, founded by parents Rose and Johnny in memory of their daughter Pearl. 

Based in North Cornwall, the innovative organisation nurtures and encourages young adults to explore creative pursuits, potentially leading to career development and employment in the creative industries. 

Wanderlust Life’s Founder, Georgie explains what supporting The Pearl Exchange means to us as a team:  

'It was bittersweet learning about the The Pearl Exchange, with the sadness of Pearl's loss sparking the beginnings of something so positive for the wider community in the South West. I felt urged to get involved with the project to support their magic work; providing a creative space & outlet for young adults to connect, thrive and be be supported emotionally, creatively. 

Nearly all of my team have experiences of growing up in the South West, not always having access to creative environments or opportunities and you can feel lost and forgotten. TPE shines as a beacon of hope & light, connecting talented young people to industry creatives to nurture, inspire & connect. I'm personally excited to get involved, and so are our the WL team. If our support could help inspire one individual, then our contribution has been successful.

We're kicking off that support with launch of a limited edition necklace and we look forward to visiting their workshops and offer our physical support.'

As part of our support for The Pearl Exchange, we have launched a limited-edition pearl necklace. 10% of the sale proceeds will go towards The Pearl Exchange. 

Update on the year so far:

We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone for all your generous donations so far this year. It means a lot to all of us here at Wanderlust Life. 

We have sold a total of 73 necklaces, combined with an extra 208 charity donations to reach a the grand total of £514.60!  

The money raised will help so many people that need it. We recently caught up with The Pearl Exchange to hear directly from those the charity has helped and how much the charity and the work they are doing means to them.

Cara Phillips (19):
'In late 2017 I lost my younger sister to suicide. This ripped a hole from my heart, along with my passion for the things I loved most. When the news about Pearl’s death reached us, I had many friends suffering with the same pain; living in an isolated environment with no distractions, it took a toll on all of us. Rose and Frankie Bamford, knowing of my loss, reached out to me and asked me to be involved. I could never have anticipated the healing effect this community would have upon me. Through The Pearl Exchange, I have regained my passion for creativity and developed new skills. I have been able to make close connections and friendships with extraordinary people, allowing me to have deep and meaningful conversations in an uplifting and welcoming environment.'

Jamie Knee (22):
'My involvement with The Pearl Exchange could not have come at a better time. Before getting involved I was feeling lost working a dead-end job, and with the Covid pandemic and finishing university all bundled into one year I felt like I was really lacking motivation and direction. The Pearl Exchange has given me the opportunity to help myself while also helping others. Being a part of a hub of amazingly creative people is incredible and has rekindled my love for the arts.'

Rosie Moe (28):
'I got stuck in Central America during the first wave of the pandemic, trained as a yoga teacher, and came back to Cornwall imagining it would be for a couple of months initially. The continuation of lockdown kept me grounded here in Bude, and I am so incredibly grateful for The Pearl Exchange! It has enabled me to channel my values and energy into an amazing organisation, which I truly believe I was meant to find this year. I have met so many awesome, inspiring people in the local area. Allowing me to put some much-needed roots down. I've been learning to manage my own PTSD these past few years, so it's been really fulfilling to be able to support and encourage others on their mental health journey. The sense of community and safe human connections at The Pearl Exchange has had such a positive ripple effect on every single person involved in this project.'

Luke Collins (23):
'The Pearl Exchange came into my life just at the right time. After a lockdown that felt like a lifetime I moved to Cornwall to stay with my sister. I booked almost all of the events I could. I just wanted to get out there again and feel part of something. I've loved it so far, I've met so many kind friendly people and learnt so much, even how to make a pair of trousers. It's really helped with my mental health. I just wish that The Pearl Exchange could expand all over the UK.'