Introducing our Strong Foundations Grant recipients in London

Last month saw the launch of our Strong Foundations Grant for London, encouraging local charities and community groups to apply for a share of a £25,000 fund via Action Funder.

This is one of 12 funds that we launched across the UK this year. Other locations include: Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Hemel Hempstead, Edinburgh, Kettering, Birmingham, Knutsford, Bristol, Nottingham and Sunderland.

Following a six week application window, successful submissions were shortlisted and then judged by a panel including colleagues from projects and offices across London and clients; British Land and Landsec.

We are pleased to announce we will be supporting the following:

• Power to Connect is partnership between Wandsworth Council and Battersea Power Station and raises awareness of digital exclusion to support local families across Wandsworth. Funding will help towards collecting, updating and delivering laptops, tablets and desktop computers to schools and community organisations in Wandsworth.
  
  
• Breaking Barriers 'First Steps' Programme is specifically aimed at refugees looking for their very first job in the UK. The programme provides the unemployed a tailored, two-hour appointment with a specialist Employment Adviser or trained volunteer, offering CV and cover lettering writing assistance, job searching and interview practice, alongside digital skills support, empowering them in finding meaningful and fulfilling employment. The funding will go towards supporting 61 unemployed individuals.
  
  
• Food for All takes fresh produce that would have gone to waste and turns in into free nutritious hot meals for the community. Where possible, these are delivered using emission-free bicycle rickshaws by a team of dedicated volunteers. The funding will go to increasing the number of meals they can provide, and the cost of distribution to those that are in need.
  
  
• Step by Step provides recreation for children aged two to adult, with moderate to severe physical, emotional and learning disabilities. The funding will provide supper for 30 children twice a week for 23 weeks of the year, who are part of after-hours care to give respite to parents who have little access to other support.
  
  
• You Press is an award-winning social enterprise with 10+ years' experience working with young people from minority backgrounds and underrepresented groups. The funding will train 30 young creatives (aged 16-30 who are unemployed & from BAME backgrounds) over 12 months to use their skills and talents to access the creative industry.
  
• Bloody Good Period provides period products to those who need them. They partner with over 100 organisations across England and Wales to deliver these products, including support for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing crises all over the world. The funding will go to supporting venue costs for their annual fundraiser.
  
  
• The Listening Place offers a service tailored to the needs of the suicidal, offering a robust and evidence-based alternative to those traditional means of support. The funding will provide life-saving support to four individuals at risk of suicide for as long as they need, over a 12-month period.

It's great to see our London partners engaging in collaborative action within the local communities near our assets. It was a pleasure to join Sir Robert McAlpine and take part in the 2022 Strong Foundations Grants, and in turn support grassroot organisations that are giving back to the community in so many ways.

Adonica SimmonsSenior Social Sustainability Executive, British Land

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