Richard Caring’s hugely successful restaurants, including The Ivy chain, and iconic private members clubs such as Annabel’s, have become bywords for hospitality over the last two decades. Behind the scenes, however, alongside his wife Patricia Caring, Richard has been building a powerhouse philanthropic foundation which is changing lives around the world.
The Caring Family Foundation is dedicated, amongst other endeavours, to making a real impact on deforestation in the Amazon, planting close to two million trees across Brazil, as part of a holistic mission which will not only help restore the rainforest and its rich biodiversity, but safeguarding and revitalising indigenous cultures and traditions.
Cacao is grown for local consumption and market trade.
With flooding and drought just some of the very real results of deforestation, the Nukini people have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of climate change. With that in mind, The Caring Family Foundation has assisted 43 families in the Nukini community to help them establish vital agroforestry yards and giving them the tools to generate income.
Patricia Caring tells Grazia that working directly with women in communities such as the Nukini is of huge importance to TCFF. ‘Within indigenous communities, women are the holders of ancestral wisdom and language, while men champion their roles in responsibility and management. These communities embody a symbiotic relationship with the forest, where mutual reliance ensures their existence.’
Maria Valdenice Silva de Souza Nukini , leader of the Nukini indigenous community, and Patricia Caring, Co-Founder of The Caring Family Foundation.
As part of TCFF’s work with the Nukini community, Patricia Caring says they have been collaborating with Maria Valdenice Silva de Souza Nukini (known as Val) who is the president of the Vaka Visu Indigenous Association and leads her community, focusing on environmental education.
Val tells Grazia, ‘The collaboration with The Caring Family Foundation is a job of great commitment, marked by transparency, ensuring the security of our families, and fostering empowerment among women, youth, and elders. Our joint efforts in restoration and reforestation initiatives involve members of all age groups. With the support of TCFF, we have access to tools and resources that allow us to prioritise tree species bearing fruits for local consumption or trade in the market. This not only facilitates income generation but also promotes sustainable livelihoods for our community.’
Nukini indigenous community.
Patricia Caring adds, ‘Val is an inspiration within the Nukini community and an incredible example of this because she passionately advocates for education and land protection, recognising their vital role in preserving the Amazon. At The Caring Family Foundation, we empower women like Val with the tools to enact change, understanding when women thrive, families flourish, communities prosper, and the world becomes a better place for everyone.’
Maria Valdenice Silva de Souza Nukini, Patricia Caring, and Chief of Nukini indigenous community, Paulo Cesar de Olivera Silva.
This Earth Day, Val urges people to consider what changes they can make to improve the lives of people directly affected by climate change, such as the Nukini community, which will in turn benefit us all in the long term. ‘We are all capable of positive change,’ says Val. ‘The actions we take not only benefit us but also reverberate to benefit broader populations. Beyond the planet's well-being, there are human lives at stake—individuals who stand to lose their homes and livelihoods. Recognising this human element adds depth to the conversation and highlights the urgency of addressing climate change