Thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses, together with funding from London Borough of Hackney, Hackney Giving have approved grants of £27,000 to 10 organisations. These grants are to help organisations provide support to communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Grants were for a maximum of £3000 and were awarded to voluntary and community sector (VCSE) groups.

Organisations that have been approved the Community Support Small Grants were focused on making a positive difference to people's wellbeing, reducing isolation and loneliness and helping people living with mental health issues.

One of the successful groups were Lev Echod Cancer Care who facilitate weekly peer to peer support groups for women with cancer, together with weekly workshops on emotional resilience, coping with hardships and pain and workshops on inner confidence which are delivered by an oncology experienced psychotherapist.

Successful organisations that receive the Community Support Small Grant will use the grant to continue helping disproportionately affected communities. East London Cares, is a community network that bridges the gap between generations with intergenerational social clubs where young and old people spend time together, whilst Salaam Peace have a summer sports programme for young people aged 8-24.

Some organisations will continue to provide food and essentials to residents around Hackney. As we know the spread of the virus has made it more difficult for some locals to afford and physically get essentials. Woodberry Aid have dedicated themselves to tackling this by purchasing food shopping and vital medicines for vulnerable families and individuals in Woodbery Down. 

E5 Baby and Children Bank will use funding to provide support packs for young people at different ages including toys, activities, craft materials, books and toiletries for older young people. For these and many other organisations, Hackney Giving funding allows services to be adapted to the realities of the pandemic - developing online resources, zoom sessions and socially distanced face to face activities.

On receiving news of their successful application, Anna, Youth Programme Coordinator for Mimbre emailed:

“We are so grateful for the support Hackney Giving offered Mimbre to enable us to continue to run acrobatics and street dance classes for young people in the borough. At this time of stress and uncertainty, we have found that the thing our young people crave is consistency and spaces where they are able to play and creatively express themselves and learn how to take risks in a safe environment.

The funding Hackney Giving have supported us with will enable us to continue to make sure young people in the borough have spaces where they are welcomed and supported to learn in a way which supports them and where they learn to support each other.  We are very grateful.”

The complete list of successful organisations:

• E5 Baby and Children Bank 
• East London Cares 
• Feel Good Community CIC, The 
• Hackney Chinese Community Services Association (HCCSA) 
• Hoxton Health 
• Lev Echod Cancer Care 
• Mimbre 
• Salaam Peace 
• Turning Corners 
• Woodberry Aid