Help us bring Christmas lunch to 500 older H&F residents

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Older residents enjoy their Christmas lunch in 2019

Hammersmith & Fulham

Our Big H&F Christmas Day Lunch is back for older residents who’ll be alone on Christmas Day.

With the generous support of residents and H&F Giving, Hammersmith & Fulham Council is again hoping to give up to 500 older residents who live alone a two-course festive feast, with transport to and from the lunch, and a bag of gifts on 25 December.

But we can’t do it alone. We need your help to raise £30,000 – and any amount big or small that you can donate will make a difference.

“I’m delighted we can once again invite older residents to come together for a great lunch, gifts and company on Christmas Day,” said Cllr Ben Coleman, Deputy Leader of H&F.

“The cost-of-living crisis means that many of our older neighbours will be watching every penny more than ever this Christmas. Our Big Christmas Day Lunch will make this a special day for people who would otherwise go without.

“H&F is known for its community spirit and generosity and we’re hoping residents will pitch in with donations, and perhaps even volunteer on the day, to help make this a Christmas Day lunch to remember.”

Donate now

The Christmas Day celebration will be taking place at the Novotel London West hotel, Hammersmith, with volunteers and professional staff on hand to serve food and drink.

How your donation will make a difference

The Big H&F Christmas Day Lunch relies on the generosity of local people, businesses and charities to bring the Christmas spirit to elderly, isolated residents.

Here’s how your donation will make a difference:

  • £420 will pay for seven residents’ Christmas lunches and gift bags, as well as a lift to and from the venue on Christmas Day.
  • £60 will pay for one resident’s two-course Christmas dinner, gift bag and transportation.
  • £25 will pay transportation for an elderly resident on Christmas Day.

If you would like to donate a smaller amount, £10 could be put towards a thoughtful present, for example a food voucher, in the Christmas gift bag.

Please donate now

To find out about corporate sponsorships, or to donate items such as gift bags, food, treats, vouchers and more through your company, email Flora Taylor, Campaign Director at H&F Giving, at [email protected], by Friday 9 December.

Want to volunteer?

The Big H&F Christmas Day Lunch wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers.

If you’d like to help pack Christmas goodie bags from Monday 19 December to Saturday 24 December, or would like to volunteer your time at the lunch on Christmas Day, please sign up using our form.

 

We Have a New Website!

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H&F Giving has a new website!

We are delighted to launch our brand-new website that has been designed and populated by two local agencies.

The website helps bring to life our new brand and visual identity, makes it easier for local people and organisations to get involved and tells the story of our borough.

Interim Chief Executive, Flora Taylor says:

“As a community facing charity our website is vital. We need to showcase our energy and professionalism and demonstrate the many activities H&F Giving is involved in locally. WebFX and Blueprint Partners nailed this – we are delighted with the website. Thank you so much – we are hugely grateful for your generosity and incredible work in bringing the ideas to life. Thank you to Purposeful Marketing for managing the project so efficiently.”

Why did we need a new website?

Early in 2022 we changed our name to H&F Giving because the old name was beginning to hold us back – it didn’t make it clear that we are a separate charity from our founders.

We wanted to make it as easy as possible for people seeking support to find it and get it so with support from London Funders, we commissioned Louise Kavanagh of Purposeful Marketing to develop a distinctive new name and brand for us. You can read more about that here.

We also needed our website to distinguish H&F Giving from other local charities. We needed a platform that would make it easy for visitors to understand what we do and why, then encourage more people to get involved.

We want our community (individuals and organisations) to know we are there for them, we can be approached, and if we can’t help, we can direct you to someone or somewhere that can.

The local marketing agencies

Through our extensive local connections, we were very fortunate to secure the support of Blueprint Partners and WebFX, who have worked together to design, build and populate our new website.

Kate Fuller, Frontend Developer, at award winning local digital marketing agency WebFX UK took on the task of designing and building the website.

Kate says:

“We have really enjoyed working alongside H&F Giving and Blueprint Partners on the redesign and rebuild of the H&F Giving website. At WebFX we put importance on making an impact, especially within the local community, and we hope that H&F Giving’s new website will make a difference to them and the impact they can make.”

Blueprint Partners, a global agency with an office in Fulham, developed all the written content.

Dan Jones, Account Director at Blueprint Partners, says:

“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with the H&F Giving and WebFX teams which we think everyone should be very proud of and we hope H&F will enjoy the benefits of their new site. Our mantra here at Blueprint is to leave the world in a better place than we found it, and this is just a small step we can make in that direction.”

With brand oversight and project management support from Purposeful Marketing, the two agencies were able to develop a distinctive, easy-to-use website that truly reflects HF Giving’s mission and ambitions.

We hope you like it as much as we do!

Pedal Gives Back

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Supporting Ukrainian refugees

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Hammersmith & Fulham

We’re working to ensure that all arriving Ukrainian refugees are welcomed and supported as they begin to rebuild their lives within the borough.

Everyone is welcome in Hammersmith & Fulham, especially those fleeing conflict, persecution, or humanitarian crisis.

We’re working with H&F Giving and West London Welcome to create the H&F Ukraine Appeal, a fund accepting resident donations for incoming Ukrainian refugees.

All money raised through the fund will go towards supporting Ukrainian refugees in H&F, regardless of the visa they arrived on. This ensures that all H&F based refugees will receive PayPoint vouchers equivalent to the ones the Government is providing to those on a ‘Homes for Ukraine’ visa.

H&F Giving are accepting donations of all sizes and have raised more than £14,000 so far.

Donate now

Image 1Iryna Dydyk with the small backpack she travelled with between Ukraine and the UK

A new life

Iryna Dydyk recently arrived in H&F after fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

She is being supported by H&F and recently attended one of our Ukrainian welcome events at the Hammersmith Quaker meeting house.

Read Iryna’s story here.

Support for Ukraine

Many of our residents also want to help those on the frontline. If you’d like to help, but aren’t sure how best to, you can find out here.

“Imagine fleeing terrifying danger in your home country and finding yourself in a new part of London, confused about who to trust. We don’t want that to happen to those who land in Hammersmith & Fulham,” said Flora Taylor, Executive Director of Hammersmith & Fulham Giving (Maternity Cover).

“The first arrivals from Ukraine have arrived, but we expect more. A cash donation to the fundraiser will ensure the right professionals, from therapists to legal advisors, including those with the right language skills, are on hand to respond locally.”

Or check out the different ways you can help, and find support here:

Homes for Ukraine scheme: Are you willing to host a Ukrainian refugee? Register your interest on the GOV.UK website.

Please let H&F Council know if you’ve registered your home on the Government website, or require support for a family member on the Ukraine family scheme by emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 145 6095.

Worried about family or friends? Find out who to contact on the GOV.UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals page.

Help for those who have arrived: Visit our refugee and asylum seeker help and support in H&F page.

 

The Sharing Table: A Community Cookbook

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H&F charity fund gives £200,000 to residents in need

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Image 1Pictured left to right are Clare Hirons, Julie Cavanagh and Rosie Borgia in the new SEAPIA kitchen

Hammersmith & Fulham

A fresh wave of grant aid to grassroots projects means that more than £200,000 has now been distributed to local residents in need.

The Household Support Fund channels government money to support residents with food, energy and water costs, and other essentials.

Set up by Hammersmith & Fulham Council and administered by H&F Giving (formerly known as UNITED in H&F), the fund has made a real difference to dozens of projects.

Savraj Kaur, Executive Director at H&F Giving, said: “We are living through the worst cost-of-living crisis for decades, with income dropping, fuel and food prices surging, and a war pushing boundaries even more.”

Sands End help

One project helped by the fund is Sands End Associated Projects in Action (SEAPIA), which provides low-cost play and childcare for children aged four-13. Director Julie Cavanagh said it ensured that 175 hot meals could be served each week, plus supermarket vouchers to families most in need.

Parents and carers have expressed thanks. One carer said: “The food vouchers help us immensely; I am very humbled by your generosity.” A parent added: “It’s the little things that count, and I feel very lucky to have help like this.”

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Dads House volunteers packing food bank essentials

Other projects to gain funding include:

Active Successful Engagement, which supports parents and carers. The Barons Court Project tackles poverty in the community. Bishop Creighton House helps residents with shopping, food delivery, hot meals, home repairs and utility payments, while Bubblesqueakeat runs a five-day-a-week food stall, distributing to those who can’t afford rising prices.

Dads House funds food bank essentials, Oyster card top-ups and offers help paying bills, and Foodbank Doorsteppers supports the borough food banks and has, to date, collected nearly 100 tonnes of food. Fulham Good Neighbours offers help in the home and garden, including hot meal deliveries.

Both The Kulan Foundation and the Lido Foundation help households with food, utility bills and clothing, while Lets Unite For Autism supports vulnerable families with money worries.

Lucas Ark assists with moving costs and temporary housing, while M&C Foundation supports 120 White City families to access small grants, and the Minaret Community Centre provides culturally appropriate aid to 150 families.

The Mother and Child Welfare Organisation provides food parcels, telephone support and utility bill help, and Nourish Hub supports families with cookery sessions. People Arise Now assists former prisoners, while Play Association H&F supports 19 families on low incomes.

Ravenscourt Baptist Church helps with food and bills, while River House Trust buys supplies for its food bank. 

Somali Parents assists families with bills and food, and the St Paul’s Money Advice Centre gives debt advice. The Urban Partnership Group works with families on the White City and Edward Woods estates, West London Welcome assists refugees, and the White City Interfaith Partnership gives out food, sanitary and cleaning items.

Debbie Robinson at H&F Giving said: “This funding is meeting the needs of local people at a time when prompt action to provide targeted assistance is vital.”

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Fulham Good Neighbours volunteers working in the kitchen

 

H&F UKRAINE APPEAL: Help those in need

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Hammersmith & Fulham

Everyone’s welcome in Hammersmith & Fulham. That’s why we’re working to ensure arriving Ukrainian refugees receive the best support possible.

We’re working with H&F Giving and West London Welcome to create the H&F Ukraine Appeal. The appeal will supply support, advice and items to refugees who have fled the conflict and local residents affected by the crisis.

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is destroying millions of innocent lives, and we have seen the horrors of war unfold daily causing a humanitarian crisis,” said H&F’s Lead Member for Refugees, Cllr Rebecca Harvey.

“We at H&F stand with the Ukrainian people and are ready to welcome anyone fleeing the conflict – and we thank those who have reached out to offer support and care to refugees.”

H&F Giving are accepting donations of all sizes and every penny given to the appeal will be spent directly on Ukrainian refugees arriving in H&F.

A £20 donation can help provide refugees with a friendly community space to gather together in and reconnect with each other in H&F. £100 can help provide a mother and child with the essentials, and £500 can help provide therapeutic or casework support for arriving refugees.

Donate now

Support for Ukraine

Many of our residents also want to help those on the frontline. If you’d like to help, but aren’t sure how best to, you can find out here.

“Imagine fleeing terrifying danger in your home country and finding yourself in a new part of London, confused about who to trust. We don’t want that to happen to those who land in Hammersmith & Fulham,” said Savraj Kaur, Executive Director of Hammersmith & Fulham Giving.

“The first arrivals from Ukraine have been helped, but we expect more. A cash donation to the fundraiser will ensure the right professionals, from therapists to legal advisors, including those with the right language skills, are on hand to respond locally.”

Or check out the different ways you can help, and find support here:

Homes for Ukraine scheme: Are you willing to host a Ukrainian refugee? Register your interest on the GOV.UK website.

Please let H&F Council know if you’ve registered your home on the Government website, or require support for a family member on the Ukraine family scheme by emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 145 6095.

Need immigration or visa advice?

The Ukraine Advice Project provides free immigration advice by qualified lawyers for those fleeing Ukraine.

Worried about family or friends?

Find out who to contact on the GOV.UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals page.

To find out more about H&F’s work to support all refugees, please visit our supporting refugees and asylum seekers page.

Help for those who have arrived

GOV.UK – Welcome guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK

H&F Information for refugees or asylum seekers in H&F

Finding a school place

If you know a refugee or asylum seeker who has recently arrived in H&F and is school aged, find out how you can secure them a local school place by contacting our school admissions team on 020 8753 1085 or visit our school admissions page.

Have you received your Covid-19 vaccination abroad?

Book an appointment at a local vaccination site who have the facilities to validate vaccinations that have been administered abroad. Visit the tell the NHS about coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccinations you’ve had abroad page.

 

 

Exhibition capturing diversity of Hammersmith and Fulham returns after pandemic

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Left to right, Kate Walter (curator), Gaia Bini (ex-social media), Savraj Kaur (Producer), Nahwand (photographer) via H&F Giving

Published by SWLondoner, 25 February 2022

Asyia Iftikhar

A touring exhibition celebrating the diversity of Hammersmith and Fulham has opened in Fulham Palace post-pandemic.

The creative project was launched by Savraj Kaur, 38, executive director of Hammersmith and Fulham Giving, in collaboration with London-based photographer Nahwand Jaff, 32.

Named “Humans of Hammersmith and Fulham” and inspired by the popular series “Humans of New York”, it first launched in Lyric Theatre Hammersmith in January 2020.

Kaur said: “I’ve come across so many incredible characters in my day to day interactions.

“We don’t normally work with creative projects but it’s been a nice way to bring art to the community. Some people featured in the exhibition have never been to an art gallery before.

“We live in a really diverse borough with some of the most expensive homes in the country while 30% of children are born into child poverty. But we all share the same space.”

Now returning bigger than ever, the free exhibition displays portraits and accompanying interviews of over 50 residents in the borough.

Photo of caucasian woman, profile of shoulders and face wearing a green fleece. The fleece has words reading "hammersmith and fulham foodbank"
REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL ISSUES: Daphine Aitkens advocates for foodbank users. Credit: Nahwand Jaff and H&F Giving

The interviews aim to give an insight into the lives and experiences of various local people from community initiative leaders to ordinary residents.

One participant, Daphine Aitkens, ex-CEO of Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank said: “Foodbank clients are not scroungers, but real people with real issues which can be solved.”

Speaking about the people she has encountered in her job, Aitkens added: “One was a mum who turned to prostitution to feed her child. When she came to us she didn’t need to prostitute herself anymore, she was able to cover her debts, got therapy, some parenting support with her gorgeous child.”

Photo of caucasian woman sitting in office with a sign behind her reading "Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre." She is wearing a dark top.
CHANGING LIVES: ex-CEO of H&F Law Centre Sue James fights for justice in the community. Credit: Nahwand Jaff and H&F Giving

Before becoming a photographer, Jaff spent five years working as a delivery driver for the Waitrose on North End Road and got to know the area.

Jaff then began working on the project in 2019 and said: “It was very sporadic, Savraj would ask me to come down and take portraits while she interviewed.

He added: “It would be nice to continue profiling as many people as we can since so many people are doing such good work.

“I remember there was someone whose family had been in the area for over 100 years and as a diaspora the idea of being in one place for generations is so strange. It’s very beautiful.”

As the exhibition continues to tour, Kaur explained: “We’re calling it a living exhibition and long after I’ve gone it would be nice if we added faces and stories.”

The Humans of Hammersmith & Fulham exhibition is open daily from 10.30am to 4pm at Fulham Palace in Bishop’s Avenue until 10 March and will later continue to tour the borough.

Celebrating our diversity: Humans of Hammersmith & Fulham

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Hammersmith & Fulham

Humans of Hammersmith & Fulham exhibition at Fulham Palace until 10 March 2022

A captivating collection of photographs and stories celebrating local residents is on show in a free exhibition at Fulham Palace.

The ‘Humans of Hammersmith & Fulham’ exhibition showcases the portraits and tales of around 70 local people in a creative project aiming to promote a sense of belonging across the borough.

Created by local charity H&F Giving, the exhibition features the stories of residents in their own words, including volunteers, sportspeople and those pivotal to services through the pandemic. The displays are being showcased throughout the historic rooms of Fulham Palace until 10 March.

“The exhibition focuses on collecting photographs and interviews to form a living catalogue of individuals from Old Oak to Sands End to inspire belonging, sharing, and inclusion for all,” explains Savraj Kaur, executive director of H&F Giving (formerly known as United in Hammersmith & Fulham).

“A key part of the exhibit is the voices of the people, through direct quotes which capture the mood of communities and individuals.”

Stories from across the borough

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Somali-British civil society leader Adam Matan OBE

Among the stories are those of Fulham Palace volunteer Marvel, who recalls meeting the Duchess of Cornwall; Somali-British civil society leader Adam Matan OBE; and Solidarity Sports founder Sean Mendez, who helps local children reach their potential through health and fitness.

Produced in collaboration with volunteer portrait photographer Nahwand Jaff and curated by Kate Walter, the exhibition was first launched at Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in January 2020 by H&F Giving’s patron, Lord Alf Dubs.

Since then it has grown, and it continues to do so as new images and stories of residents who “live, work or play in the borough” are being added to the collection, adds Savraj, using “storytelling for our [charitable] purpose”.

“It’s turned out to be what I had hoped – a way to convey social issues, to tackle prejudice, and to learn more about our neighbours,” she adds.

Go and visit

The Humans of Hammersmith & Fulham exhibition is open daily from 10.30am to 4pm at Fulham Palace in Bishop’s Avenue until 10 March and will later move to the Imperial College Invention Rooms.

Find out more by visiting H&F Giving online.

 

 

We’re now H&F Giving!

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Our new name reflects our purpose

We are delighted to announce that we have recently changed the name of our charity from United in Hammersmith & Fulham to H&F Giving to distinguish it from other local charities and clarify our role in the community.

Our place-based giving scheme was formed by 400-year old Dr Edwards and Bishop King’s Fulham Charity and Hammersmith United Charities to inspire people to devote the resources required to create a stronger borough. Led by Savraj Kaur we have distributed more than £400,000 in grants to local community groups and since March 2020. Furthermore, we has spearheaded fundraising encouraging the public to give more than £160,000 to fund urgent community need, including the Tech4Kids campaign to get 1,000 children in poverty their own laptops with connectivity, and the Big H&F Christmas Lunch delivery for hundreds of isolated senior citizens. Our creative project Humans of Hammersmith & Fulham has also been touring community venues since the beginning of 2020, featuring portraits and interviews of local people, that help dismantle prejudice and exclusion while inspiring belonging, discussion and sharing in the borough.

Towards the end of 2021 we took the decision to rebrand because our original name was beginning to hold us back. People seeking support or funding told us they found the name confusing; it didn’t make it clear that we are a separate charity from one of our founders. We want to make it as easy as possible for people seeking support to find and get it.

We chose the name H&F Giving because it encapsulates what we do and aligns with the growing network of giving schemes across London. Giving to charities and community groups and connecting people to give to causes that matter locally is at the heart of what we do. And so, H&F Giving better represents our rapid evolution, and helps ensure everyone can understand our unique role. It clarifies our aim of connecting the borough, so that every person and every generation has what they need to thrive in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Savraj Kaur BEM, Executive Director of H&F Giving, said:

“The idea of giving locally has developed so much in our borough. From awarding grants to local groups on the frontline to encouraging people to share what they have, it’s become central to the spirit of what we do. Now it isn’t just what we do but we’re called, and our warm and dynamic new brand is a representation of what we have grown to live and breathe daily.

“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed their time and expertise to the project and say a special thank you to our outgoing trustee Michail Tzouvelekis. His clear direction and insight have helped to set us on the path to further growth and impact in the borough.”

With support from London Funders, we were able to fund the change and have Louise Kavanagh and Georgie Lowry to develop a distinctive new brand to support this change in name and wider identity. This included a logo and complementary materials, and a new strapline, vision, mission and values.

We will be applying this new brand identity to our website and other materials in the coming months; this will be achieved with corporate supporters Blueprint Partners and WebFX who are working with us to create an even better website in 2022.

We hope you like it as much as we do!