Derwent London plc (“Derwent London” / “the Group”) is pleased to announce the successful applications for its Spring 2020 Community Fund– covering Fitzrovia & West End and the Tech Belt*. In response to the current COVID-19 crisis, Derwent has increased the Community Fund to support a broader number of local organisations who are dealing with challenges facing communities in this crisis. The Community Fund is part of the Group’s broader commitment to nurturing the communities we are part of.
Fitzrovia & West End:
Soup Kitchen at the International Church – Core costs to maintain the service
Fitzrovia Youth in Action – Young person’s better choices project
Mission Remission – Online support group for cancer patients and survivors
Foodcycle Marylebone – Tackling food poverty
Holcroft Court Residents Association –Greening project on Carburton Street
All Souls Clubhouse – Core funding to maintain elderly lunch club service during Covid-19
Mousetrap Theatre Projects – Projects for core funding during Covid-19
Tech Belt:
Literacy Pirates – Young authors’ book project
Foundation for Change – Women’s support group
Coney Ltd– Digital upskilling programme for young people
Soapbox – Multi-media project co-produced by local young people
The Spitz Charitable Trust – Music and deep healing post-Covid for care home residents
The projects were chosen from a large number of applications. For both areas, online community panels were convened with officers from the local authorities and staff from Derwent London, to contribute to the decision-making process. There was an impressive range of applications and the successful entries were selected on the basis that they will offer positive benefits for employment, the environment, society, culture, arts and health. Some projects have a focus on individuals and groups directly impacted by Covid-19.
John Davies, Head of Sustainability at Derwent London, commented:
“Since Covid-19 struck the need for our Community Fund has never been more pressing. In response we increased our funds for the year, as announced in April, and relaxed the parameters for applications so organisations could adapt their proposals to meet the current challenges. With the Fund now in its 7th year we remain committed to the long-term support of our local communities.”
*The Tech Belt is defined as the area extending from King’s Cross to Whitechapel, largely covering EC1 and E1.