Doorstep Library volunteers. From left to right, Cordelia Barbour, Marieka Fisher, Allyson Frizzell, Laura Anderson, Jill Alexander, Emily Oliver, PJ Brandt and Kirsty Allen
Thirty six community groups have been awarded funding for the next three years to provide vital services for local people.
The council’s voluntary sector grants programme enables local organisations to provide wide-ranging services, from befriending services for isolated older people to the Doorstep Library which brings books to children who don’t have them at home.
“Government and councils across the country are cutting back vital support to community groups but we refuse to follow suit,” said Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
“People rely on these services. Not only is funding them the right thing to do, it makes financial sense too because community organisations are often able to provide more responsive services more cost-effectively than the council or the private sector.
“We’re committed to helping community groups to ensure they are able to provide the support and opportunities we need in H&F now and for years to come.”
How our funding helps
We’re helping the community provide a massive variety of support, activities and projects in the borough.
We spoke to some of the charities who told us how they use H&F Council funding.
H&F Foodbank
We fund the foodbank’s ground-breaking Hub@75 in the White City Estate which complements its main base in Studdridge Street, Fulham.
"Funding for our Hub@75 enables us to be present in the heart of the White City community at a time when so many people are struggling on low incomes, and there are changes to the benefit system,” said Daphine Aikens, founder and chief executive of the charity.
“The mostly council-funded Hub@75 means that we can be open full-time for the first time; not only distributing our emergency food parcels, but also running advice sessions, a job club, art space, cooking and budgeting classes, free access to computers and more - and all in a safe and welcoming environment."
Last year, 41 volunteers helped more than 1,400 residents and demand is rising rapidly.
You can find out more about Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank online.
Fulham Good Neighbours
Volunteers provide practical help as well as befriending, lunch clubs, exercise classes and other activities for mainly older residents.
The charity has been running for more than 50 years and recently launched a weekly support group to tackle loneliness.
Last year 76 volunteers supported more than 240 residents.
For more information visit the Fulham Good neighbours website or call them on 020 7385 8850.
Doorstep Library
Volunteers help inspire a love of reading by visiting low-income families in their homes armed with a backpack full of books.
“It’s all about making reading fun,” said the charity’s director Katie Bareham.
“It’s not a tutoring service. Our volunteers don’t help them with their homework, they show how exciting stories can be and how there’s something for everyone.
“All our volunteers are extremely passionate about children and how important it is to be able to read, and that comes through.”
Last year, more than 70 volunteers helped more than 600 children improve their reading.
For more information:
- visit the Doorstep Library website
- emai enquiries@doorsteplibrary.org.uk
- call 020 8870 1476.
Need funding for your project?
H&F Council is also supporting local people to raise funds for small, one-off events and activities through crowd-funding on H&F Hive. Each year, the council contributes £200,000 of grant funding via H&F Hive and it enables you to raise funds from individuals and other corporate funders too.
There’s help and advice on the council website or by contacting us at cat.priddey@lbhf.gov.uk or 020 8753 1770.
And it’s not just funding…
We’re always looking for ways to support charities and community groups in H&F.
Recently, we transferred the freehold of the Barons Court Project’s building to them, as well as the freeholds of three community centres to the Urban Partnership Group which runs them.
It puts both charities at the heart of decision making and safeguards the buildings against commercial development for years to come.
