Winter shelters for the homeless, a mental health project in the Somali community, and even a community piano have helped local residents feel, and even hear, the benefits of £40,000 funding to projects in Kensal Green and Harlesden.
Since April 2012, Lift has been coordinating Community First funding in both the Kensal Green and Harlesden wards. Community First is funding from central government to encourage people to match funds through time and other contributions in order to help communities make improvements to local neighbourhoods. It is administered locally by a panel made up of local people and coordinated by Lift, an established, respected charity, in both Harlesden and Kensal Green. Since April, the total funding distributed to various projects in the Kensal Green and Harlesden area is £42,046. Funded projects included contribution to homeless winter shelter provisions at both St. Mark Church and at the Open Door Ministries, a mental health awareness raising campaign focused at the Somali community run by young volunteers, “who do you think you are” programme of historic research aimed at the African and West Indian Communities as well as contribution to the purchase of a new concert piano for All Soul’s Church to enable quality free concerts and free music tuition.
Current panel members include: Leroy Simpson, the Chair of the Harlesden Town Team, Peter Grigg, Director of Research and Policy at the Family and Parenting Institute. and Julian Staker, a community activist and a member of the Rucklidge Avenue housing associations and others.
Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said at the launch of Community First
“People are frustrated about not being able to make a difference in the communities in which they live. Community First allows local people to work together, take control of their lives and create the change they want to see.”
Atara Fidler, Chief Executive of Lift said
“We are so enthused by the diversity of projects that have applied and the impact of the funding so far. In tight times, investment in local charities is so critical and so we’re delighted that the next round of funding will start shortly. We hope to distribute remaining underspend of £7,351 to local projects before the end of March 2013”.
If you are interested in applying for the funding or to find out more about the Local Panels – please contact [email protected]
Lift is extremely grateful for the local councillors in both Kensal Green and Harlesden Ward in supporting its role via the Ward Working fund and to the Community First funding from the Cabinet Office.