Verdi Studios | Charity work, fundraising, donations, and volunteering

Over the years Verdi Studios have worked alongside many different charities. We continue to volunteer our time, professional services, and comprehensive facilities to various causes. This is an important part of our core values as a business.

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The charity: Blesma

Since 1932, 'Blesma, The Limbless Veterans' have been the only national Armed Forces Charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans helps all serving and ex-Service men and women who have lost limbs, or lost the use of limbs or eyes, to rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support.

Blesma - Registered charity numbers: 1084189 SC010315 - www.blesma.org

Did you know photography is a popular hobby for a number of amputee and spinal cord injured military veterans? Upon learning this, we began planning how we could take part...

Studio tutorial days

In 2016, 2017, and 2022 we closed to the general public for a total of seven working days. We donated our time, expertise, facilities and studio to 'Blesma, The Limbless Veterans'.

During this time members were taught about photography, lighting, composition, giving direction to a model, and post processing, including retouching.

"Those of us that attended were privileged to have such an opportunity to experience this level of photography and to have such expert tuition was brilliant; the results were amazing. Verdi studios and all those that gave their time have made a huge impact on the limbless veterans that travelled from as far away as Somerset and Yorkshire" - Blesma members.

"The help and encouragement that Parm and Kirsty at Verdi Studios gave over both my visits to their studios have allowed me to move forward with my photography. The use of superb equipment and expert advice was out of this world, I came away on both days feeling I had gained in many ways." - Mick Williams, Blesma member.

Location tutorial trips

Separate, multi-day trips to Exeter, York, Epping Forest, Central London, Manchester, and New Forest have seen 50+ Blesma members take part in learning more about photography. During the location trips, we are at the members' beck and call- helping them to improve/enhance their technical and practical skills. we do this 1 or 2 times a year.

Fundraising

In September 2017, Kirsty travelled to North Wales to brave the fastest zip-wire in the WORLD!

She raised whopping £800.00 for 'Blesma The Limbless Veterans', surpassing her initial target of £150.00.

Donated items

Blesma receive donations from external organisations in the form of memorabilia. Verdi Studios then frame, mount, or box the memorabilia, so the item is beautifully presented and can be auctioned off to raise money for the charity. We do this either at cost, or no charge.

Verdi Studios also occasionally photograph Blesma staff and products for promotional images used throughout Blesma's literature. Their time, studio, and photography are donated at no charge.

The charity: Changing Pathways

Changing Pathways (formerly known as Basildon Women’s Aid) is a domestic abuse charity working across the areas of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock. They provide free and confidential services to support people who are currently experiencing, or have previously experienced domestic abuse.

Registered charity number: 1172214 - http://www.changingpathways.org

Donated items

In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024 Verdi Studios have created custom mounts and frames for numerous of autographed photographs donated from various sportspersons.

Verdi Studios donate their time to this cause at no charge. They also aim to donate up to as much as 90% of all materials used.

All photographs mounted and framed by Verdi Studios are auctioned at

Changing Pathway's annual Charity Ball.

Every year an enormous amount was raised for children and young peoples services during the Ball.

"Parm and Kirsty have been so supportive to our charity Changing Pathways (formerly Basildon Women’s Aid). The amazing framing of all the signed photographs that we auctioned at our annual charity ball were admired by all that attended, the attention to detail to ensure that they raise much needed funds was incredible. Both are very friendly and welcoming which makes you feel confident that the end result will be superb……and they certainly were!

A huge thanks to Verdi for delivering a fantastic service and I highly recommend them to everyone. Thank you very much Parm and Kirsty!" - Natasha Jean-Louis, Children and Young People's Team Manager at Changing Pathways.

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The charity: The Dream Factory

The Dream Factory has been set up to brighten the lives and encourage hope for children and young adults aged 3-25 years, who have either life limiting or life threatening conditions, or who suffer from severe disabilities. They do this by making their wishes come true!

Any dream is possible and when The Dream Factory says it will take on the challenge of making a wish come true then we will do everything in their power to make it happen in the shortest possible time.

Registered charity number: 1123662 - http://www.yourdreamfactory.org/index.htm

Donated gift vouchers

Every year Hainault based charity The Dream Factory hosts 'The Hollywood Charity Ball'.

During the evening of glitz and glam, raffle tickets are sold, and a charity auction takes place to raise money for their fantastic cause. Every year since 2009, Verdi Studios donate gift vouchers up to the value of £100.00. The gift vouchers are donated at no cost to the charity; the winners will enjoy an entire portrait photography session in our studio for up to five people, along with a free photographic print of their choice.