Hammersmith & Fulham Council and local charity UNITED in Hammersmith & Fulham have awarded more than £12,000 to 13 community groups helping support residents during the coronavirus outbreak.
The groups awarded the grants include pioneering Fulham substance abuse theatre group Outside Edge and youth charity Solidarity Sports.
Together, this funding will work to improve the lives of an estimated 4,434 people at risk and living in Hammersmith & Fulham.
“We’re truly grateful to see these local groups step up to help local people in these unprecedented times,” said Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader at H&F Council. “We hope this funding is the start of some great work that is desperately needed during the pandemic and is something that residents can continue to support.
And Savraj Kaur, Programme Development Manager at UNITED in H&F, said: “We’re delighted to have begun giving the first tranche of awards to those helping the most vulnerable in the quickest way possible. We continue to welcome grant applications – in particular from grassroots organisations.”
While the coronavirus pandemic continues and residents need extra support and care, UNITED will continue to raise funds. So far, they’ve smashed their £50,000 target thanks to the generosity of the local community.
Group awards
The following organisations have received some of the £12,650 awarded by H&F Council and UNITED:
BHCAC - £1,000
Person-centred and advocacy charity providing services over the phone for older people who speak English-Bosnian-Serbo-Croat languages, during the pandemic.
Bishop Creighton House - £1,000
BCH is currently responding to a spike in demand and referrals, including for food parcels and collecting prescriptions for older people, as well as making daily phone calls to its network.
Citizens Advice H&F - £1,000
Funding will help provide new laptops to enable more volunteers in working remotely to help with advice on benefits, debt, housing and employment rights.
For Brian CIC - £1,000
Funding will help the social enterprise create a ‘buddy system’ for those with dementia and ensure they’re protected during isolation.
Let’s Unite for Autism - £1,000
Supporting parent/carers of those with special needs children who need additional help and support ‘home-schooling’ while local schools are closed.
Outside Edge - £1,000
The theatre company in Parsons Green will use the funding to bolster its support for residents affected by addiction through its use of drama. The group works to prevent relapse and continue to foster a new virtual sense of community.
River House Trust - £1,000
The trust offers activities and peer support for older people with HIV, many of whom are immuno-compromised, in poverty and isolation, and with a wide range of other underlying health conditions.
Solidarity Sports - £1,000
The sports charity provides tailored care packages for parents in poverty, struggling and in need of a high level of emotional and practical support.
The Smile Brigade - £1,000
During the coronavirus outbreak, the non-profit group is cooking and delivering 400 free meals to vulnerable residents, as well as packing and providing essential care packages.
This New Ground - £1,000
Creatively enable the learning-Disabled community to connect through remote activities and virtual platforms when isolated.
Bubble & Squeak - £950
Funding will help them adapt a food stall structure (pay-as-you-feel) for those living in food deprivation, to delivering healthy produce packages locally.
St Andrews Fulham Fields - £900
Funding will allow the established homeless project to continue to offer food, including essential care items to vulnerable residents.
Dance West - £800
Funding will go towards producing ‘Dance West Digital’ tutorials and bite-sized classes for adults 55+ and families with children under the age of 5 years to stay active in isolation.
If you’re a community organisation you can apply for funding today via UNITED’s website.
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