Launch of the new Coronation Youth Fund with DanceWest at Sands End Arts & Community Centre
- Record £1m extra earmarked over initial two years.
- New fund reflects HM The King’s lifelong dedication to youth.
- Clubs invited to apply for arts, music, drama and sports money.
To celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on Saturday 6 May, Hammersmith & Fulham Council has launched a unique £1million youth fund.
The King Charles III Coronation Youth Fund will see H&F Council and community organisations coming together to support young people across the borough in arts, music, drama and sport.
The new £1m fund marks a record amount of council funding to youth services in H&F and comes despite a 54 per cent cut in Government funding to council services over the last 10 years.
The fund was announced on Tuesday (25 April) at the DanceWest studios in the Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Fulham.
VIDEO: Coronation Youth Fund launch
Watch the Coronation Youth Fund launch video on YouTube.
Coronation celebration
The Coronation Youth Fund reflects HM The King’s lifelong dedication through The Prince’s Trust to improving the lives of disadvantaged young people.
It also supports our commitment to community safety by working to give young people opportunities in life and - by giving them a sense of pride and purpose - helps prevent them becoming victims of gang crime and exploitation.
Cllr Sharon Holder, H&F Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: “Everyone knows how dedicated His Majesty King Charles III is to supporting the country’s young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“It is truly fitting that we should come together to celebrate and mark his coronation by launching a new youth fund.”
Cllr Bora Kwon, H&F Cabinet Member for Civic Engagement, said: “This fund celebrates the coronation and signals a record amount of council funding for youth services, offering hope and aspiration to thousands of young people across our borough.
“By improving the places and spaces that matter to young people, this will enable them to feel a real sense of pride in their community.”
Look to the future
The Representative Deputy Lord Lieutenant for H&F, Mr Kevin McGrath OBE, said: “The Coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and will also look towards the future. So as a tribute, it is both wonderful and fitting to see Hammersmith & Fulham Council make this commitment to continue to fully support the future of its local children and young people.
“The King Charles III Coronation Youth Fund serves as an important marker of this historic event and is sure to leave a lasting legacy across the borough.”
The Coronation Youth Fund will see an investment of £1m over an initial two-year period to inspire young people aged 11 to 24 to reach their full potential. Half of the fund will be allocated to sports and leisure infrastructure projects.
It will support the delivery of inspirational events and youth activities, improve places and spaces and help more young people to access arts, music, drama and sport.
The Coronation Youth Fund is intended to have long term positive legacy benefits to people and places.
Apply now
Organisations who deliver events, clubs and activities for young people across H&F are invited to apply for the funding.
Small grant applications for individual support of up to £1,000 will be welcome. Larger grant applications for organisations will be available to help invest in and deliver programmes for young people aged 11 to 24 in arts, drama, music and sport.
The fund can also support running costs for events, refurbishment projects, equipment, staff costs or volunteer expenses. It will also seek to help fund one or two major capital facility applications each year.
Set to last for an initial two years, we hope to open the fund to local businesses and residents to contribute donations in the future as we create a powerful legacy of youth activities and support in H&F.
Projects should support young people in your community. We want to support projects that:
- young people and communities want and need
- build on a track record of local delivery and
- are based in areas of the borough that most need additional funding and support.
For more details and guidance on how to apply:
King Charles III Coronation Youth Fund application form (docx 63KB)
Guide to applying for the King Charles III Coronation Youth Fund
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