A Milestone for the Samadhi Community
Dear Samadhi Family,
I am filled with joy as I write to you about a recent milestone in our journey. Samadhi has officially been awarded charity status – an important step that will allow us to grow and nurture our community in many ways.
This new chapter opens up wonderful opportunities for us.
Firstly, the financial benefits are considerable – with charity status, more of your generous contributions will directly support our activities and fundraising goal. Each contribution you make will stretch further, as they’ll be exempt from VAT and personal tax. We can now also claim Gift Aid on eligible donations from UK taxpayers, meaning your donations increase by 25% at no extra cost to you!
Once things have been shifted over, new opportunities will open up in terms of venues and lower retreat pricing – essentially, we’re shifting the tax savings and discounts we receive over to you – so look out for announcements about retreats planned for next year.
Charitable status also gives us access to a wider range of funding sources, including government grants, funding from trusts and foundations, and corporate sponsorships that are specifically available only to registered charities. We will explore these for ongoing projects and ultimately, to support our eco retreat centre goal.
Beyond the numbers, charitable status allows us to be taken more seriously as a community that is coming together not for profit but for public benefit, and this recognition deepens our commitment to living our values and to total transparency. It strengthens our foundation, allowing us to build on our vision of offering accessible, practical teachings and providing a sanctuary of serenity.
Alongside all those who pour their hearts into the Samadhi Community, by engaging and joining in the sessions, contributing financially, and contributing their time and expertise, our organisation is now also under the guidance of our six trustees – Manu, Marie, Sean, Sara, Julie and myself. I thank them for all their hard work so far in getting us to this stage.
Going forward, there is much to do and work on. With aspirations as vast as the sky, we’ll continue to work towards our vision for an eco retreat centre and community in the south of Wales – what we hope will be an inspiring and welcoming place for like-minded people to gather, visit, or live, learning about meditation, Buddhist teachings, contemplative training, and sustainable living.
Samadhi’s journey so far – from two guys running a day retreat in Spain attended by 8 people – to where we are now, has been a great joy for us both, filled with countless acts of kindness and support from each and every one of you. Your involvement and belief in what we do is what fuels our commitment to alleviate suffering and spread joy through these transformative practices.
As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward with excitement to the paths that now open before us. We hope you will continue to be a part of this journey with us, whether by joining us at a retreat, participating in our sessions, getting involved in our work, or simply sharing our story with others.
Thank you for being a part of our community. Our vision is only possible with you. Your support makes all the difference, and we are grateful for every meaningful moment you help us bring into the world.
With warmest wishes and deepest gratitude,
David Oromith
