About the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

JRF is an independent social change organisation, working to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, where people and planet can flourish. JRF supports and undertakes many different types of work in all four nations of the UK. This includes policy development and insight gathering, advocacy and campaigns, impact investment, funding pioneers and visionaries, field building, and supporting those building grassroots movements.

About Homestead Park

Homestead Park has been cherished by communities for 120 years. It was gifted to the people of York by social reformer Seebohm Rowntree (son of Joseph Rowntree) so that all individuals, regardless of class or income, could enjoy time in nature.

At JRF, we’re considering this heritage while also turning a new leaf in the story of Homestead Park; we’re looking to the future, and the next 120 years. Seebohm’s gift represents a tradition of giving back to the community and ensuring that public spaces remain accessible to all. We want to uphold this tradition and not only preserve a piece of history but also reaffirm our dedication to creating a park, with a pavilion building as a community space within it, that serves the needs and interests of the people it belongs to.

We are drawing inspiration from Rowntree’s radical roots, creating and stewarding a beautiful space for people to come together to connect with each other and with nature.