£10,000 in grants have been paid to local families thanks to H&F’s Winter Wellbeing fund
[First published by LBHF Council on 22 January 2021]
Nearly £10,000 has been paid out in the last week to support families and children in Hammersmith & Fulham.
The money will directly help grassroots projects in the borough, supplying food and other essentials to those most in need, with one of the awards assisting the families of young people at risk of violence.
Set up by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to channel government grant aid to where it’s most needed, the Winter Wellbeing Community Fund has already distributed £85,000.
Last week, four groups were awarded a total of £9,600 in the latest aid distribution; one beneficiary being The Violence Intervention Project (VIP), set up in 2017 to steer young people away from violence and help them rebuild their lives.
VIP founder Charlie Rigby
VIP’s mantra is ‘short-term work, long-term relationships’, and its focus is on breaking the cycle of violence which can blight the lives of young people aged 12 to 25.
“We work flexibly, and without judgement, so we are available when any young person reaches out for help,” explained VIP founder Charlie Rigby, whose staff run a freephone confidential support line on 0800 130 3421.
The charity’s work was applauded by Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader of H&F Council, who described it as an ‘important’ group addressing ‘a real issue’ in west London, adding: “VIP outreach workers operate outside normal hours and in places such as parks and communal spaces to build relationships with young people who often have chaotic lifestyles.”
Grants awarded
The latest Winter Wellbeing Community Fund awards were made to:
Bloody Good Period – £1,500 towards period products for refugees and asylum-seeking women, and the under 19s in disadvantaged groups.
Harrow Club W10 – £1,500 to deliver hot food to vulnerable children and young people.
SEAPIA – £1,600 towards shopping vouchers for families in Sands End.
The Violence Intervention Project – £5,000 to support families and independent young people at risk of, or involved in, serious youth violence.
The Winter Wellbeing Community Fund, administered for H&F Council by local charity UNITED in H&F, is now working on its next package of support grants.
