The Designers Using Their Skills To Help Charities

Discover the charitable work of interior designers Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock who are employing their talents to create life-changing environments for charities and groups.

In 2020 Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock of interior design studio Turner Pocock launched registered charity TP Caring Spaces. With a profound conviction about the power of design, Emma and BIID Registered Interior Designer Bunny wanted to employ their skills to transform environments for different charities and groups. We asked Bunny and Emma to tell us more about how they came to launch the charity, the projects they’ve completed so far, and their plans for the future of TP Caring Spaces.

What prompted you to launch TP Caring Spaces?

We had been talking about establishing a charity for some time and knew we were keen to do something that utilised our skills and united all the wonderful design world people we had met over the years and continue to work with. When the COVID pandemic hit the UK, the impact of our environment and the need for comfortable spaces in which workers, patients, and carers could relax and recuperate was highlighted. A special request from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital to transform a staff room presented us with our first project, and so TP Caring Spaces was born: a charity focused on transforming charity spaces into havens that enable their communities to thrive.

Can you tell us about your vision for the charity?

Our vision is simple: the environments we create for different charities and groups of people will change lives. We are focused on bringing joy to utilitarian spaces and ensuring that the functional space feels valued, and the environment becomes restorative and a source of joy and comfort. We are focused on being open and welcoming in our outreach, working on a truly diverse selection of projects, and dispelling any sense of exclusivity. As the charity grows, we hope to embrace an increasing number of partners allowing us to take on larger projects and welcome guest design teams. In years to come, we would love Caring Spaces to be known as the charity for the design industry – a collaboration of all the brilliant brands and businesses in our industry.

How many projects have you completed so far?

We have completed four projects so far with another due to finish this summer. These include a retreat for cancer patients and their families, a women's refuge, a hospital staff room, a Mencap overnight facility, and the communal spaces within a drop-in centre for the homeless and those struggling with mental health issues. This autumn we will begin work on our largest project to date; the total redesign of two huge multifunctional spaces in a community centre.

Are you looking for volunteers and, if so, in what roles?

Yes, we are always on the lookout for brilliant, proactive volunteers in the following areas:

• Fundraising

• Carpentry

• Plumbing

• Decorating/painting

• Electricians

• Tilers

• Artists

• Interior photographers

• Graphic designers