Dear Fair Trade supporters,

In Fair Trade, we know how interconnected we all are across the globe. As you know, we are experiencing an international health crisis; which at the same time is becoming a global economic crisis that is having and will have a lasting impact on millions of people in all countries and all continents.

These are very difficult and worrying times. I want to take this opportunity to update supporters about how Fair Trade Wales is responding.

Firstly, our immediate priority has been taking action in line with government and NHS advice to protect the health and wellbeing of staff, volunteers and partners, and to reduce the potential of contributing to the spread of coronavirus. Therefore, we put in place and implemented plans to move all staff to home-working last week.

Please note: whilst home-working is in place, the best way to contact staff and volunteers is by email. 

Continuing to campaign 

Secondly, we are looking at how we can most effectively continue our work to promote Fair Trade and support Fair Trade producers. Over the next couple of weeks, the staff team will be developing new ways in which we can continue to interact with our supporters most effectively and continue to do the very important work of promoting Fair Trade.

For example, we are communicating with Fair Trade shops in Wales about how we can support and promote those that move to delivery services, looking at how we might create home-based campaigning activities, and researching ways in which we can bring people together virtually while we are not having face-to-face meetings.

Please note: your local Fair Trade groups should not be meeting in person at this time. Get in touch if you want support for your group to meet and chat online.

Global connections

Thirdly, we are in communication with our global Fair Trade community. As shown an our International Conference in October, Fair Trade links us in solidarity with people across the world and we can keep communicating with them at this time. We will bring and share updates, but you can also get directly involved.

The International Fair Trade Towns Steering committee have a message for us all ‘We want to express our concern and solidarity with all the fair trade towns stakeholders, all over the world.

We invite all of you to share your opinions and experiences on how you are coping with this situation in your country and express ideas on what we need to do in the near future. Our email addresses, website and Facebook page will receive your life stories and ideas and we’ll share them with all our fair trade family.’

Don’t forget the fun

We know that Fair Trade supporters are fun, creative, hopeful and inspiring people. Therefore, we will be continuing to celebrate Fair Trade, to use Fair Trade products and to have fun in our homes and online together.

Keep a look out on our website, newsletters, and on social media and share your fun Fairtrade stories and memories with us.

This pandemic illustrates in a very obvious way what all of us as Fair Trade supporters know: that we are an interconnected global community; that we are dependent on each other; and that we can all act in ways which can strengthen and enhance those connections.

Hoping that you keep safe and looking forward to continuing to work with you.

Aileen, Fair Trade Wales.