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landmarks Brixton X Peckham

THINC Fund: Powering Ideas for a Healthier Peckham

Welcome to the THINC Brixton & Peckham Fund

Thank you for your interest in the THINC (Tackling Health Inequalities through Neighbourhood Collaboration) Brixton & Peckham Fund.

We want to hear your ideas for creating a healthier community for people in Peckham.

About the Fund

The THINC Brixton & Peckham Fund has £400,000 in total funding – with £200,000 available for projects in Peckham.

This fund was created so that local people can shape how charitable money is spent. The community decides who gets the funding, which means your friends, neighbours, and supporters will be able to vote for your project and help bring it to life.

Before You Apply

Please make sure you’ve completed the following steps:

Read the Information Sheet – it contains all the key details you need.
Complete the Application Template (Word Document) – download it here and fill it in first.

Important: you cannot save your progress within the online form, so prepare your answers in the template before starting your application.

Application Process

ClearView Research and the Community Board will carry out a sifting stage to check that applications meet the eligibility criteria. Any that do not meet the criteria will be rejected before the community voting stage.

👉 It is your responsibility to ensure your application meets all criteria.

Before completing this application, we recommend you visit our website for more information.

CVR Community, which is a Community Interest Company (CIC) manages the THINC Brixton and Peckham Fund. It is the sister company of ClearView Research agency.

The current donors for the THINC Brixton and Peckham Fund are Impact on Urban Health, Wellcome, Indigo Trust, and Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund.

In addition, Lambeth and Southwark Councils are supporting the Fund by hosting it on their Engage platform.

**Ready to submit your application? Simply click the ‘Add a Project’ button below 👇**

Please note, to add a project, you have to create an account for this Engage platform.

Please select the option 'continue with user login' to create an account.

Phases

Phases overview

Put Your Ideas Forward and Let's Shape Peckham Together

Put Your Ideas Forward and Let's Shape Peckham Together

15 September 2025 - 20 October 2025

112 projects

Caya Therapy6 months ago For many people in Peckham, finding good therapy is harder than it should be. It is expensive, over-subscribed, or simply does not understand your experience. Unless you are well off, therapy is often out of reach, and too many people go without the care they need.We want to change that. We are launching a community counselling service designed for the people of Peckham; long-term, in-person therapy that understands the realities of our lives, our families and our community.Private counselling in London costs upwards of £60 a week, psychotherapy around £70, and psychology £120. That is simply unaffordable for most people. The alternatives are also limited. NHS Talking Therapies have waiting lists stretching to six months for assessment and up to a year before treatment begins, often offering only a few sessions of short-term CBT focused on symptoms rather than context. In some areas, waits for therapy can reach two years.The charity sector has also been hit hard since Covid. Southwark Mind, the only remaining local provider, is so over-subscribed it regularly closes its waiting list. There are a handful of other organisations in Southwark offering low-cost therapy, but their clinics are outside Peckham or at capacity.In our community, effective and ongoing support is severely under-resourced. Southwark’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment shows that rates of mental ill health are higher than the London average, particularly among Peckham’s West African, Caribbean, Latin American and Asian communities. People are struggling, and the help that exists does not always understand them. Peckham, in common with much of London, is in desperate need of more accessible and inclusive therapy. Caya’s Community Counselling service aims to set the standard for this.We will provide up to 12 months of high-quality, in-person, culturally aware therapy for people who need it but cannot access it. Sessions will start at £20. We will support around 30 individuals at a time, as well as couples and families, through a diverse team of therapists offering a range of approaches.A key part of this is making the path into counselling more inclusive, which is why we will pay our trainee and newly qualified therapists £2,000–£3,000. Most low-cost therapy services rely on unpaid trainees, yet training costs up to £8,000 a year, a barrier that keeps the profession unrepresentative. When therapists are supported, they can better support their clients.We have been part of Peckham since 2020, already the area’s largest therapy group. We have built a strong, sustainable model and deep community ties, running grief groups and collaborating with local organisations such as London Community Boxing. This new not-for-profit Community Interest Company will be built to last, sustained by our existing practice’s profits.With your support, we can begin work immediately and open in early 2026.We’re asking for £50,000 to fund our first year of core staffing (Service Manager, Clinic Lead and Supervisor) so that you, your neighbours and your family can have access to good, affordable therapy in the heart of the community.

Tracy Brook6 months ago The Background:Friends of Kelly Avenue Park is a small volunteer-led charity intent on building a real sense of community around the green space that is the park itself. We were formed ten years ago when children from local primary schools spoke passionately about wanting to play there but being scared by many negative experiences of being in a place with a reputation as a ‘hot-spot’ for anti-social behaviour.They took their passion to a South London Citizens Assembly, and persuaded 150 people on the night to sign up to their campaign, which led to a partnership with Southwark Council, who pledged to pro-actively put measures in place to make the park a cleaner, safer and more welcoming space, and to work with the small group of committed children and their parents/carers and teachers who formed the initial Friends’ group.Ten years on and the park is a very different place; cleaner and safer, with a joyous welcoming feel, an open building (housing a Nursery Monday to Friday) available to community groups in the evenings and at weekends; families and friendship groups returning to make use of the varied facilities – basketball court, skatebowl, children’s play area, community garden, picnic tables, outdoor mini-gym.The changes made to the environment have been inspired by users of the space, initially by local children, and for us it is important to continue this ‘legacy’, showing them they have the power to bring about positive change when they come together and speak out. We are an inclusive group of volunteers from the local area and we welcome all-comers to join us in developing the space into a welcoming, interactive and engaging environment. Kelly Avenue Park is surrounded by social housing and homes in blocks of flats with no outside space. We want, with local residents, to create the park that they feel belongs to them, a space they can enjoy together and be proud to call their own. The Project:What the project will deliver:Strengthen the park’s role as part of a “Be Well” community, offering wellbeing activities and local engagement opportunities.Increase our community engagement outreach, marketing and volunteer-led communications.Extend the range of activities such as gardening, exercise sessions, and social gatherings we offer, all of which promote either mental or physical health, or both.Improve communication and visibility to reach growing numbers of residents, especially those who rarely use community spaces. Who will benefit:Residents of Peckham, especially the Pelican and Camden estates, and particularly those in nearby social housing and the new Cronin Street/Commercial Way flats without outdoor space of their own.Local families with children, older residents and those facing social isolation or health inequalities. What difference will it make:Enhanced mental health in the local population through encouraging outdoor activity, social connection and a sense of community, belonging to the neighbourhood.Reduced health inequalities by making free, accessible outdoor opportunities available in a safe, welcoming and natural environment.Empowerment of Peckham residents to take ownership of their local green space and feel pride in what they can achieve for their neighbourhood. Why we believe the project will succeed:Kelly Avenue Park has gone from a place with a reputation for anti-social behaviour to a thriving community hub for families and individuals. We have now had ten years of consistent volunteer commitment, strong partnerships with Southwark Council, local schools and other organisations.We are confident of the success of the project, as we have had lasting community engagement with local residents who regularly express their support and appreciation of the ‘work’ we are doing. With this funding we will be able to channel this support into further practical action, enabling our plans to come to realisation and increasing numbers of people to witness the changes we are making together.

Aloysius Fontama6 months ago Aim: Facilitate employment into jobs and apprenticeships for unemployed young people (in education and training, and those not in education and training) aged 16 to 24 in Southwark.Objectives: · Run workshops in rented space or online aimed at teaching young people how to source jobs and apprenticeships.· Teach them how to create effective CVs aimed selected jobs· Teach them how to write effective cover letters in line with person specification of chosen job using STAR approach· Teach them how to prepare for interviews and answer scenario-based questions using STAR approach.· If possible, depending on budget, run one-on-one tutoring sessions in key subjects such as Maths, English and Science online/face to face● Total amount of funding you are requesting (£50000GBP)● What will your project deliver? Career Mentoring Workshops and/or webinars● Which group(s) or communities is your project intended to support? Black and ethnic minorities● What difference will it make? It will help them to achieve social and economic mobility● How will this funding help your community?From my experience of coaching and mentoring young people from BAME community, most of them end up being excluded, using drugs and in crime because they lack support from mentors within these communities to hold their hand and give them the required support they need to stay productive and routine which limits the risk of getting involved in crime. Helping them into employment enables them not only to earn money and take care of themselves, but also support their siblings and parents, whom in most cases are single parents – please my cases study.● Why do you think your project will be a success?In 2020, under my leadership as founder of A & F tutors, we were selected by UK government to help young people aged 16 to 24, not in work, education or training to gain employable skills (part of the KickStart Scheme project with Department of Work and Pension). We created roles for them and providing them with training on CV, cover letter, personal statement writing, public speaking, confidence building, as well as training them on how to source, apply for jobs and prepare for interviews over a 6-month period. Due to our help, all of them were able to secure a paid job within 3 months of completing the training. We can leverage this experience from KickStart to make this project a success.A young man (Koffi) had completed college with a BTEC and did not and to go to university and the mother was very disappointed. I encouraged the mother and told her there are other options which may be better like apprenticeship. We agreed that I should help him secure an apprenticeship.I supported Koffi to write CVs, cover letters and how to answer scenario-based questions using STAR approach. After 3 months, he secured a level 3 apprenticeship at Southwark Council. 18, I did the same to help secure a degree apprenticeship with Southwark Council. He is not only earning, learning and gaining experience but also supporting the mother with bills at home . The mother is very happy. I did the same with Daniel and Ayo.I have been supporting young people in BAME community as behaviour mentor and career coach free of charge for over 10 years now. Any money given will empower me and my team to do more of what I am passionate about.With more funding, we can also support children and young people in general within Southwark to close learning and attainment gaps. Findings from my Masters research project in Education validates my experience as a tutor that children from BAME community experience disproportionate learning and attainments gaps compared to their white counterparts – an issue which has been compounded by COVID-19. The best and most effective way to close these gaps is through extra tutoring sessions at home or elsewhere because schools are unable to do that for several reasons

The Purple Ladies Dagmara Bilon & Christelle Lafille6 months ago Move, Share, and Exchange (MSE) creates a life changing experience for local residents in the Cossall Estate Tenants’ Residency Hall, Peckham, where people use the physical and expressive arts to transform their mental and physical health,and celebrate our local community as heroes and warriors. Delivered by the Purple ladies, a female-led artists collective, dedicated to building healthy, creative, and empowered communities. Our socially engaged art programme is free and open to all every Wednesday at The Cossall Council Estate, which is among the 10% most deprived areas in England.What began in October 2023 as a small idea has become a lifeline for residents. Our regulars/ core group consists of women from different cultural backgrounds with mental or physical conditions between the age of 18+-84 and includes migrants and refugees, women referred through homelessness and domestic violence charities, mothers and carers, people from the LGBTQ community, neuro diverse young people and elders. Residents face multiple barriers to wellbeing — from limited access to cultural opportunities to financial stress, housing insecurity, and social isolation. Previous engagement with the Cossall TRA demonstrated a strong community appetite for creative, inclusive events that foster joy, connection, and pride in the local area.TPL MSE programme has shown how creative participation can have a transformative impact on mental and physical health, especially for vulnerable people experiencing loneliness, trauma, or displacement. Participants often express that being part of a creative, collective process helps them regain confidence, reconnect with others, and feel seen and valued.In times of social division and uncertainty TPL have a proven record to use the tools of the performing arts to transcend language barriers, create moments of togetherness, and celebrate a spirit of inclusion,empathy and solidarity.The project also addresses a key need for intergenerational and intercultural connection. Participants describe it as“a big family where you are accepted for who you are.” One woman said: “I feel alive again. People like me need this place. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”“Our movement classes feel different from typical, fitness sessions. We leave more space for group connection, and movement becomes a really powerful tool for that. As humans, we need contact with one another. Simply standing in a circle, breathing together, or stretching together can be really healing and supportive.”“I've enjoyed my poem writing because I used to do it before but I lost contact with it. The sessions have brought it back for me. “Amazing food, talks and movement insights, discoveries and sharing a community of respect as well”We welcome around 30 participants aged 20–80+, with about 20 attending weekly regularly and 80-120 people every 2-3months public art event.Our morning program is for women and non binary people only, but the afternoon is open to All. Older men often attend our free healthy home cooked vegetarian lunch and exchange programme, where they find laughter, and a rare sense of belonging.MSE Programme/Every Wednesday:MOVE (10–11 am): Gentle, women-only sessions for all abilities—stretching bodies, boosting energy, and lifting moodsSHARE (11–12:30 pm): Physical and Expressive Arts for Wellbeing and Health.EXCHANGE (12:30–3 pm): A shared hot meal and informal story and skills exchange—sewing, carpentry, tech help, and more.Every 2-3 month public performance art program:Featuring performances by MSE Participants and local artistsThe difference it makes: Reduces isolation: offering a free, welcoming local space. Builds confidence: helping people reconnect with body, voice, and creativity Promotes wellbeing: through movement, mindfulness, and shared care. Connects generations and cultures: breaking barriers through stories, performances,music,art and food Eases living costs: providing warmth, nourishment and skill exchange.

unknown author6 months ago The Empowerment Group (TEG) is an award winning Black mental health charity and organisational member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy). We are for the community by the community.Project description:The Empowerment Group is requesting £30,000 to provide free online, one-to-one culturally appropriate therapy for people aged 18+ in Peckham who are struggling with mental health challenges but face barriers accessing mainstream services. Our work focuses on supporting Black and minority ethnic communities, who experience disproportionately high levels of mental distress but are often excluded from early intervention and recovery services due to stigma, cultural misunderstanding, or lack of representation within therapy.Who the project will support: Residents of Peckham and neighbouring Southwark communities, particularly from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds People experiencing mental health challenges including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) anxiety, depression, bereavement, trauma, workplace stress, institutional racism and more. Those unable to afford therapy, on low incomes, or on long NHS waiting lists Young adults, parents, and community members who have experienced racial trauma, discrimination, or social isolation What the project will deliver:TEG will offer 45 individuals, 10 free, one-to-one therapy sessions lasting up to 50 mins per session (1 session per week). 450 free Sessions will be delivered by a qualified team of accredited culturally competent therapists with lived experiences and a range of modalities.We will engage those from Peckham currently on our waiting list for the project. In addition, we will use local referral links with community organisations, schools, and faith groups to ensure people receive the holistic support needed beyond therapy where applicable.What difference this project will make:Peckham is one of the most diverse areas in Southwark, with over 60% of residents from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds and higher-than-average rates of deprivation. Mental health challenges are often intensified by economic hardship, housing instability, racism, and lack of trust in statutory services. This project directly tackles those inequalities by: Giving people access to trusted, culturally aware professionals who understand their experiences Helping people to build confidence, emotional resilience, and wellbeing Reducing pressure on crisis and statutory services by intervening early Increasing community trust and engagement around mental health conversations How this funding will help the community:This funding will allow TEG to deliver free, accessible therapy to residents who would otherwise go without support. It will also strengthen local partnerships and referrals across Peckham, connecting people to wraparound support such as employment, housing, and wellbeing initiatives. In the longer term, it will help to normalise therapy within Black and minority communities, breaking cycles of stigma and silence.Why we believe this project will be a success:TEG is already a trusted, Southwark-based, Black-led organisation that has supported over a thousand Black people through therapy. Our CEO previously served as Southwark’s Clinical Care and Professional Lead for Mental Health, and our team of therapists combines professional qualifications with lived experience. We already receive regular referrals from community groups, schools, and individuals who know and trust our work.By funding this project, people in Peckham, one of London’s most vibrant but underserved communities, will access therapy that truly sees, understands, and supports them.

Reyss Wheeler6 months ago What we will deliverWe are requesting £29,000 to deliver a 12-month pilot of the STUK Weights & Wellness Programme in Peckham, expanding our proven model that improves physical and mental health among women most affected by inequalities.Free weekly group sessions combining strength training, functional fitness, and restorative movement to support cardiovascular health and mobility.Monthly health and wellbeing workshops on nutrition, heart health, sleep, stress, and women’s health conditions – designed with clinical input and lived-experience insights.Access to a digital wellness platform that helps women set goals, track progress, and access culturally appropriate resources on diet, movement, and mental wellbeing.Peer-led support networks through WhatsApp and community meet-ups, fostering accountability, motivation, and long-term engagement.Monitoring and evaluation through pre- and post-programme surveys, health check-ins, and wellbeing questionnaires to demonstrate impact on health behaviours and outcomes.Community celebration and learning events, strengthening local engagement and sharing success stories with partners and funders.Who will we support?Black and Asian women in Peckham, particularly those disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and poor mental health.Women with multiple long-term health conditions or those at high risk due to inactivity, stress, and economic disadvantage.Women on low incomes or in insecure housing, who face financial and practical barriers to maintaining healthy lifestyles.Socially isolated women, including carers and new mothers, seeking connection and support in a trusted community setting.Women who have attended our previous Peckham workshops and expressed a need for consistent, ongoing support.The difference it will makeImproved physical health – increased activity levels, cardiovascular strength, and healthier weight management.Better management of chronic conditions, reducing preventable pressure on local NHS services.Enhanced mental wellbeing – reduced stress and anxiety, improved confidence, and greater self-esteem.Increased health literacy, empowering women with knowledge to make informed choices about movement, diet, and lifestyle.Stronger community connections, reducing isolation and building mutual support networks.Sustained behaviour change, with women continuing physical activity and healthy eating habits beyond the programme.How the funding will help our communityRemoves key barriers by offering free, local, culturally relevant health activities accessible to women who need them most - think dancehall, rnb and afrobeat workouts!Brings professional support into community spaces, creating a safe and welcoming environment for women’s health improvement.Builds community capacity, training participants as peer health champions to sustain activity and encourage others.Strengthens neighbourhood partnerships, working with local GP practices, community groups, and health networks to ensure joined up support.Promotes prevention and early intervention, reducing inequalities in heart health, mental wellbeing, and long-term condition management.Why we think our project will be a success?Evidence-based model – previous STUK programmes have improved activity levels, wellbeing, and health confidence for over 80% of participants.Community-led and co-designed – shaped by feedback from Black and Asian women to ensure cultural relevance and accessibility.Experienced delivery team – qualified health practitioners, fitness professionals, and wellbeing coaches with deep community trust.Strong partnerships – delivered in collaboration with local practitioners who live and breathe peckham!Robust evaluation plan – outcomes measured against THINC priorities on prevention, health literacy, and social connection.Sustainability – a scalable model that can continue beyond the pilot through cross-sector partnerships and participant leadership.

Livia Campello Lang6 months ago Imagine being told your child has Down’s syndrome. For many parents, the news can feel overwhelming and full of uncertainty. The early years are the most critical for a child’s development, yet families often find the NHS cannot offer the regular, joined-up therapy their children need. Down’s South London has been filling this gap for over 20 years. We are applying for a grant of £48,750 to support 13 children under six with Down’s syndrome, alongside their parents and families, to receive therapy for a year. This core funding will sustain our weekly, year-round multidisciplinary therapy sessions which are not available anywhere else, locally or nationally. Why this mattersAcross the UK, around 40,000 people live with Down’s syndrome, and one in every 1,000 babies will be born with Down’s Syndrome every year. Down’s syndrome is a learning disability, not an illness, and without early intervention and integrated support, children miss crucial developmental foundations in their early years before they start school.What we will doDown’s South London, based in Peckham, is the only organisation in the UK that provides evidence-based multidisciplinary therapy for young children with Down’s syndrome together with their families. Our successful approach, where children and their families attend weekly therapy sessions across a 12-month period, enable steady progress and sustained learning. Our therapy is fully inclusive and it’s free for families. Families come from a diverse range of backgrounds within Peckham and some surrounding south London boroughs. Each session combines three therapies in real time, bringing together in one room, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech and language therapist to ensure that every individual child’s needs and development is bespoke and supported holistically. Parents and carers actively participate and learn strategies they can use at home, empowering families to extend the benefits of therapy into supporting healthy choices in everyday life. The cost of supporting one child and their family for a full year’s therapy is £3,750. With a grant of £48,750, we will transform the future for 13 children.Our impact Children gain essential skills that lay the foundation for their lifelong learning including walking, coordination, communication, independence, self-care and social confidence. Families benefit from emotional support, practical guidance, and a strong peer network that supports mental health, reduces isolation, and builds resilience. The wider community benefits as inclusion, understanding and connections grow.Why this will be successfulOur model is grounded in robust evidence and meets a direct need for children with Down’s syndrome and their families. We use the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development to track each child’s progress and families report significant improvements in movement, speech, social skills, and confidence. Our approach is family-centred, focused on the whole child and meets a critical gap in early years provision. At Down’s South London, we believe every child deserves the best possible start. With your support, we will ensure that children with Down’s syndrome are not defined by their limitations, but by their potential to live, learn, and thrive.

Steven Davies6 months ago We are requesting a total of £10,000 to help us continue offering a free creative space for young people throughout the year - a space that nurtures confidence, connection and creativity.Last year, support from Lendlease enabled us to open our doors every Wednesday evening (6–9pm) giving young people from Peckham (primarily) and surrounding areas (for friends of Peckham primary supported users) access to our creative studio at no cost. This initiative provided a safe and inspiring environment where participants could explore their talents alongside industry professionals who volunteered their expertise at discounted rates.Our goal with this new funding is to bridge the gap and sustain this vital opportunity. We aim to ensure that young people aged 16 to 25 (primarily from Peckham) continue to have a space that supports their creative growth and mental well-being.At MSL inclusivity is at the heart of our work. We welcome young people from all walks of life, encouraging them to collaborate artistically and form meaningful, healthy connections. Through creative expression - whether music, dance or art - we’ve seen participants grow in confidence, self-awareness and resilience. From young people with disabilities, not employed or in education, part of the LGBTQ+ community and those facing homelessness also.Over the past year alone, we’ve engaged 69 young people from Peckham postcodes, with 34 attending more than 20 sessions. These sessions have become a lifeline for many, offering consistency, mentorship and emotional release. Creativity has proven to be more than just a pastime - it’s a powerful tool for positive mental health. Activities like songwriting, art and dance help young people process emotions that are difficult to express verbally, providing a safe outlet for stress, anxiety and anger, while creating a stronger sense of identity and belonging.The impact has been remarkable! Participants report feeling calmer, more confident and more motivated to pursue their goals. Many have even developed new skills and aspirations - from setting up home studios to collaborating on independent projects.This funding will allow us to:• Keep our Wednesday creative sessions free for the next year.• Continue bringing in industry professionals to mentor and inspire.• Provide resources and equipment that make creativity accessible to all.• Support young people in developing the skills, discipline and confidence needed to thrive personally and professionally.We’ve already proven the effectiveness of this model. With the success of our pilot phase, we’re ready to build on what we’ve learned making the next cycle even more impactful.At its core, this project is about empowering young people through creativity, giving them not just a place to create, but a community to belong to. With your support, we can continue turning this space into a home for potential, purpose, and progress.Together, we can keep creativity free for young people in Peckham.

Alex Kassab6 months ago The SE15 Community Fund offers financial grants to people located in the SE15 postcode, who may be struggling financially, with grants available up to £50 per month per household. This fund can be used for any purpose and is not means tested. We are a group of SE15 based neighbours who have been working to help our neighbours when they are in need since 2020 - on the basis of solidarity, not charity.The inequalities in Peckham are stark: 40% of children are growing up in poverty in Peckham ward, while there is a difference of 8 years life expectancy between that ward and nearby Dulwich Village (ONS). With winter arriving soon and a spiralling cost of living crisis, we anticipate an increase in demand for the Fund.Since its creation in May 2020, the Fund has distributed nearly £125,000 to nearly 200 different neighbours. The Fund has supported neighbours paying for essential groceries, utilities, childcare and accommodation.While we do not collect detailed demographic information about those who use the fund, we can describe the needs it is addressing. People used the fund for a number of reasons however the most commonly reported (78%) was difficulty with the cost of living and particularly, rent, and the same proportion of those surveyed were in receipt of universal credit. People commonly intended to use the fund to pay for food (78%), bills (56%) and school supplies (11%).Whilst this support from the local community and other grants has been essential and heartening to see, demand is now far outstripping supply. As a result, we have not been able to continue our vital outreach work which aims to reach the whole SE15 postcode. Even with the halting of outreach work, the fund is currently running on roughly a 6 month backlog, meaning that neighbours submitting grant applications have to wait a long time before receiving funds. Each month the gap between contributions and expenses is around £750.A £5,000 grant will allow us to clear this backlog and sustain us for a year within our current model whilst we create a new fundraising strategy with the help of our collaborators - eventually leading to the re-engagement with those in need within our postcode.Due to the longevity of our organisation throughout an extremely difficult financial climate, we are confident that with increased backing we can continue to help people who are struggling financially in Peckham - we have the tools, the infrastructure and the networks - the only thing we are missing are the funds.

Olayinka Rabiu6 months ago Thrive Family Support Group directly addresses some of the most profound health inequalities affecting Black immigrant mothers with insecure immigration status in thePeckham community. This group faces multiple layers of disadvantages including; racial discrimination, poverty, legal insecurity, and social isolation which contribute to disproportionately high risks of both mental and physical health challenges. Our work focuses on breaking these cycles by fostering connection, empowerment, and access to essential resources.Mental Health SupportWe address chronic stress and anxiety that is linked to insecure immigration status through confidential, culturally sensitive care and one-to-one peer mentoring that helps stabilise maternal mental health early.Physical Health PromotionOur workshops, nutrition sessions, and distribution of blood pressure monitors help prevent cardiovascular and stress-related illnesses common in Black communities.Access and AdvocacyWe empower mothers (new and older) to navigate NHS and council systemsconfidently, providing education, signposting, and free legal advice to secureessential health and welfare services.Reducing IsolationThrough group and family events, we create safe spaces for mothers to connect, share, and build supportive networks that strengthen emotional wellbeing. By promoting confidence, connection, and resilience, Thrive Family Support Group helps close the health gap for vulnerable Black immigrant families in the Peckham community.We run consistent, high-impact activities that deliver measurable results. At least twice a month, we hold structured group sessions such as specialised workshops or self-care events, alongside ongoing one-to-one peer mentoring and emotional check-ins. This equates to around 24 group sessions per year, complemented by larger community and family events that strengthen engagement and belonging across our network.The £5,000 funding will support us to secure a safe, accessible venue for over 40 mothers, replacing the current rotation of meetings in homes. It will also support a part-time coordinator to manage operations and onboard 27 mothers on our waiting list, strengthening our peer mentoring programme. Core costs such as guest speakers, food, and materials for health and nutrition workshops will ensure high-quality delivery. Travel subsidies and further blood pressure monitors will be provided, removing barriers and promoting preventative health. This grant will help Thrive Family Support Group move from a volunteer-led initiative to a stable community organisation. With secure space and staffing, we can grow sustainably, develop long-term funding partnerships, expand our peer mentor network, and collaborate with local health providers. This investment will empower mothers, reduce crisis interventions, and improve community wellbeing across Peckham.Case Study: Ogechi When Ogechi joined us, she was a single mother with had severe undiagnosed postpartum anxiety, unstable housing, and feared accessing medical support due to her immigration status. Through one-to-one peer mentoring with a settled mother from her cultural background, she gained confidence to access counselling, budgeting advice, and local health resources. Regular group support reduced her isolation and chronic stress. Today, her anxiety is manageable, she mentors a newly arrived mother, and confidently navigates affordable nutritional and health services, demonstrating a transition from high-risk health to community integration and sustainable wellbeing. Support us to support more mothers.

LORRAINE RUSSELL6 months ago The NoireFitFest Spinathon is an inclusive, high-energy community fitness event designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing among Black and underrepresented communities in London. Taking place in Elephant and Castle (London Borough of Southwark), this project aligns with the THINC Fund’s goals by tackling health inequalities, improving access to wellbeing activities, and strengthening community connection through inclusive physical activity.What our project will deliver A 4-hour Spinathon event led by Black fitness professionals and DJs, creating an empowering and culturally resonant fitness experience. Accessible participation, offering free or subsidised places for Southwark residents on low incomes. Community celebration, using music, movement, and connection to promote positive lifestyle change. Fundraising to support future NoireFitFest community initiatives focused on wellness, representation, and inclusion. Who the project supportsOur project primarily supports Black and ethnically diverse communities who are often underrepresented in the fitness and wellness sector. It also serves local residents of Southwark, including young adults, women, and individuals who face financial, cultural, or social barriers to accessing traditional fitness spaces.The difference it will make Improved health and wellbeing: Encourages active lifestyles and positive mental health through joyful, community-centred fitness. Greater inclusion in fitness spaces: Highlights and empowers Black instructors, creating representation and a sense of belonging. Community cohesion: Brings diverse groups together through a shared goal of wellness and collective empowerment. Lasting impact: Inspires participants to remain engaged in ongoing fitness and wellbeing activities beyond the event. How THINC funding will helpTHINC funding will directly support: Venue hire and spin equipment rental Marketing and outreach to ensure broad community participation Instructor and DJ fees to fairly compensate the qualified Black professionals Free and subsidised places for residents who would otherwise be unable to attend Why our project will succeedNoireFitFest has a proven track record of delivering high-impact, inclusive fitness events that centre Black joy, representation, and community empowerment. Our team of experienced fitness professionals, event organisers, and wellness advocates are deeply rooted in the Southwark community and committed to breaking down barriers to participation.We believe the NoireFitFest Spinathon will not only energise participants but also create a lasting shift in how wellness is seen and shared across underrepresented communities—perfectly aligning with THINC’s mission to support healthier, more connected lives.

Brenda Wade6 months ago we are requesting £50,000.00 -London Senior Social is a charitable organization with deep-rooted connections with our local residence, and other multi-disciplinary agencies who support older people to improved the quality of their daily lives- we work with social service, local community centre, social prescribers and GP Surgeries who referred older people into our services.As a result of our positive impact, we were voted by our local community The Mayor of Southwark – Civic Award 2022 and 2024 - for outstanding work within Southwark – delivering essential services (10,000 Culturally sensitive hot meals and toiletries) to older especially during and after the covid period.What will your project deliver?Weekly Older Adult Day Care Support.• 52 weeks - Day Care Support -Tuesday and Saturdays.• 52 weeks- Provide door to door wheelchair accessible Transport to pick up seniors to and from all events.• 52 weeks - Professional D1 license Minibus driver to transport participants safely.• 52 weeks - Qualified Support Worker to escort participating from participants homes to day care and provide personal care and ensure safe participation in activities.• 52 week - Profession Chef to prepared Cultural appropriate freshly cooked meals – also extras meals for take away. 52 weeks – Food ingredients/food take aways containers (recyclable).• 52 weeks - Rent for Venue – to provide safe warm welcoming space to deliver service.• 52 weeks -Admin Coordinator to recruit, monitor and carry out all necessary checks are in place to ensure the success of our service delivery and report/feedback throughout the life of this project.Which group(s) or communities is your project intended to support? We support older people age 55 plus with disabilities mostly from the Afro/Caribbean community, living across the borough of Southwark, specifically those facing social, economic and financial hard ship.Those with disabilities, multiple medical condition, those diagnosed with dementia, reduce mobility - at high risk of unintentional self-neglect or not being able to carry out daily task safely to maintain their personal dietary and social needs, limited income.What difference will it make?· Immediately reduce social isolation for older people.· Make new and retained friendships.· Improved nutrition health and wellbeing – stay healthy for longer -remain in owe home.· Improve financial benefit – help maximize benefit and welfare check income.· Older people feel heard, supported and listen to. Maintain connection and dignity.

David Tootill6 months ago The total amount of funding we request is £23178We will plant an orchard on Comber Estate, with seating and chess table.Our vision: Transforming public spaces into thriving, sustainable community assets, where individuals and communities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to enhance their own well-being and take action to make change.Our project will deliver an orchard of apple trees, plums, pears and cherry fruit trees into a suitable area on Comber Estate, with seating and tables for people to rest and play in pleasant environment.We will work with tenants on the estate, through networking with their Tenants & Residents Association, as well as community organisations interested in neighbourhood uplift, horticulture and community cohesion.The difference we will make is to feed children during late summer/autumn when the fruits ripen; bringing communities together around a common purpose (planting and nurturing); enabling residents to make a difference on their immediate environment; greening our estates; supporting on-going opportunities for residents to gather; play games, recline and enjoy their home through enhancing their wider location; creating a potentially replicable project.This funding will help the local community by bringing residents together to transform their immediate environment.This project will be a success, because it enables self-help with immediate and long-term benefits around feeding hungry children, improving our environment and taking grass roots action to make our neighbourhood more attractive. By using brick/stone for building works of seating and tables, these can potentially last for a long time into the future. The project will be evaluated to see if it is replicable on other estates and will be aimed at being a catalyst for Southwark Estate renewal.

Kemi Ani-Agbaje6 months ago The Posing Room will be a dedicated fitness and creative studio based at Peckham Palms, providing a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space for local residents — especially BAME individuals and those on low incomes — to engage in fitness, body confidence, and wellbeing activities.The studio will be available to hire hourly for fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, and creators to practise posing, film fitness content, or hold small workshops. However, with the support of THINC funding, we will launch a community access programme that offers free sessions for BAME residents on Universal Credit/ Low income in Peckham.This will help remove the financial barriers that often prevent low-income residents from accessing fitness spaces or creative opportunities. We believe that everyone, regardless of background or income, should have access to high-quality, affirming environments that support both physical and mental wellbeing.What the Project Will Deliver· A professionally equipped posing and fitness content studio within Peckham Palms, accessible to the community.· Free 1-hour sessions for local BAME residents on Universal Credit to use the studio for posing practice, fitness routines, or self-care filming.· Workshops led by local fitness professionals on topics such as body confidence, nutrition, and mental wellbeing.· Community content creation — residents can document their fitness journeys, promote healthy lifestyles, and inspire others in the community.Who the Project Will Support· BAME communities in Peckham, particularly those from African and Caribbean backgrounds.· Low-income individuals and families receiving Universal Credit or other benefits.· Young adults (18–35) interested in fitness, wellness, and content creation but lacking access to suitable spaces.This directly supports two THINC priority groups: Black, Asian and ethnic minorities, and people on low incomes.What Difference It Will Make· Improved mental health and self-esteem through regular physical activity and creative expression.· Increased access to healthy choices — the studio will serve as an affordable fitness option in a safe, culturally familiar setting.· Community pride and representation — by showcasing local talent and body diversity, participants feel seen and valued.· Skill-building opportunities — users gain confidence in content creation, fitness presentation, and personal branding.How the Funding Will HelpThe £9,800 grant will cover:· Subsidised community sessions for 12 months (£3,000)· Studio equipment & furnishings (lighting, painting, mirrors, posing box, camera tripod – £3,500)· Marketing and outreach to engage low-income residents (£1,000)· Workshops and wellbeing sessions led by local trainers – free posing sessions (£1,800)· Insurance, utilities, and admin costs (£500)Why the Project Will Be a SuccessThe Posing Room builds on Peckham’s strong community spirit, fitness culture, and creative energy. Located at Peckham Palms, it’s easily accessible, women-led, and designed to empower local people to take control of their health and confidence.We already have interest from local trainers and influencers who are keen to mentor participants. Our approach combines fitness, creativity, and community wellbeing — making it a fresh, inclusive initiative that reflects what Peckham stands for: health, culture, and empowerment for all.

Zion Zachary6 months ago Peace Ambassadors – Empowering Young People to Breathe, Believe and BelongImagine growing up in a city where the air you breathe harms your health — and where opportunities to thrive feel just out of reach. For too many young people in Southwark, this is reality. Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities are far more likely to live in areas with dangerously high air pollution, putting them at greater risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. On top of this, many face the stresses of overcrowded housing, limited access to green space, and rising mental health challenges.That’s where Peace Ballers steps in.We use the power of sport, creative arts, and mentoring to give young people purpose, confidence, and a voice. Our new project — Peace Ambassadors — is all about helping young people take charge of their health, their environment, and their future. Through football tournaments, art workshops, and youth-led films, we bring together fun, creativity, and learning in ways that genuinely connect with young people aged 10–18.But Peace Ambassadors isn’t just about cleaner air — it’s about brighter minds too.Every kick of the ball, every piece of art, every shared story gives young people a space to belong, express themselves, and build confidence. Our mentoring and peer networks help reduce isolation and anxiety while boosting self-esteem and resilience. We’re not just raising awareness about air pollution — we’re strengthening mental health and community spirit at the same time.Over the next year, we’ll deliver Ten major community activation events across Peckham, each filled with energy, creativity, and inspiration. Young people will learn how to protect themselves from air pollution, discover the power of teamwork, and take part in campaigns for cleaner, healthier streets. In between these events, our mentors will run school workshops, creative projects, and online campaigns to keep momentum strong.And our reach doesn’t stop there — with over 300,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, we’ll spread our message far beyond the local area. Young people from all backgrounds will see that their voices matter — and that change is possible when they come together.With your vote and your support, we can bring this vision to life. Funding will allow us to:• Host inclusive community events that engage at least 1000 young people directly.• Produce inspiring youth-made films and creative content that reach thousands more online.• Train young people as “Peace Ambassadors” — peer leaders who continue spreading hope, knowledge, and positivity in their schools and communities.• Provide vital mentoring and emotional support that strengthens mental wellbeing and builds lasting confidence.Together, we can make Southwark a place where every young person — regardless of background — can breathe cleaner air, think more positively, and build a brighter future.Vote for Peace Ambassadors, and help us empower a generation to breathe, believe, and belong.Our launch campaign video provides a compelling introduction to our project:“Live and Breathe The Beautiful Game” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F84tf0l_Odg)Total Funding Request Amount:£50,000

Larissa Derreck6 months ago Our New Era Programme is a leadership and development programme & we ask for £50,000 to successfully deliver our programme /production. Targeting ages 14-18, we have reached over 40 young people. It has recently been delivered in a Lambeth school this year and we would love to deliver this in our local community Peckham. Our Founder is a Children's nurse & specialising in mental health/ wellbeing these skills amongst many other skill sets in the team shaped this programme on the basis of our experiences as first generation of migrants addressing the gaps in our culture, community and generations it will deliver a powerful, culturally informed leadership & personal development journey for young Black people. Over 8 weeks, participants will take part in six themed workshop sessions: Cultural Identity & My Identity Mindset and Personal Development Discovering Inner Leadership Perception & The Big World Equality, Diversity & Inclusion – The Black Experience Influences - Social Media, Mental Health & Financial Literacy After the workshop sessions the remaining months is to create a Dramatherapy-led production, where participants collaboratively create and perform a piece titled “Live Your Movie” — a reflection of who they are, what they’ve learned, and how they want to shape their futures.This project specifically supports young people aged 16-18 in the Black community — particularly those from first- and second-generation migrant backgrounds living in the local community. It is also open to those who relate to these experiences.We aim to empower those who may feel underrepresented in leadership, mental health, and personal development spaces. Creating safe space conversations through coaching and mentorship around Identity and wellbeing is continued after the programme.Making a Difference: The New Era Programme will: Increase confidence and self-awareness, enabling participants to understand and embrace their identity. Develop leadership and communication skills to help them transition successfully into adulthood, education, or work. Enhance emotional resilience and mental health, using dramatherapy as a safe, creative outlet for expression and healing. Foster a stronger sense of community and belonging, inspiring participants to become role models and changemakers within their networks. By the end of the programme, participants will not only “live their movie” but have the tools to direct it — empowered to write their own stories, rather than having them written for them. Funding will allow us to: Secure trained facilitators, including a Dramatherapist and Black community leaders, to run workshops and Q&A sessions. Cover venue hire, creative materials, and production costs for the final performance. Provide resources and refreshments to ensure full engagement throughout the programme. Community of action – social activities and events for the young people as we work through the course of the year/ programme Cover cost of screening, producers, media coverage Offer travel stipends or small incentives to reduce barriers for participation. This will strengthen mental health, identity, community pride, and intergenerational understanding among young Black people in Peckham.The New Era Programme is rooted in lived experience, cultural relevance, and proven approaches to personal development. Our facilitators share similar backgrounds to participants, creating an environment of trust, representation, and relatability.We’ve already seen that when young people are given the tools to express themselves creatively and explore their identity, they build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that extend beyond the programme. One of our young boys started the programme shy but today is the director for the short film we will screen in Lambeth.By combining identity exploration, mental health awareness, leadership training, and dramatherapy, we meet both the emotional and practical needs — ensuring long-term, measurable impact.

Amy Bartlett6 months ago OverviewOur vision is that people in our Peckham community facing life challenges associated with low incomes are filled with skills, knowledge and hope through gym, coaching and community. We are requesting £24,972.91 to:- run our Peckham-based gym programme year-round.- increase the number of participants. - help volunteers train as gym coaches.We’ll be reaching out to local people in Peckham facing the following challenges and barriers to physical activity: (a) Low income(b) Lack of confidence(c) Mental health(d) Increased cost of livingOur programme is aimed at improving local people’s fitness and helping everyone realise their own unique potential. People who complete our programme will feel a sense of achievement and witness the rewards of training hard and sticking with the process. They’ll also join a new community who they’ll continue to train with and be supported by. The programme will be delivered to each group in the following way:- 8 total weeks- 3 sessions per week- 2 hours per sessionSessions will be structured as follows: - Check in [15 minutes]- CrossFit [60 mins]- Coaching / community [45 mins]We recognise it’s necessary to tackle root causes of issues resulting in lack of confidence, especially at work or in education. Our holistic approach includes workshops, coaching and community. The coaching and community side of our sessions is where we help people with:(a) health and nutrition goals on a budget.(b) making proactive changes in their work or living situations.(c) utilising a network of people to problem solve.We hope to run 6 groups annually, engaging 72 people in total each year.Our vicar, Fernando Carrillo, grew up locally and overcame a history of drug addiction and prison. His own journey includes the fitness community. Through perseverance and team work he won the 2023 European CrossFit championships. We hope running a gym programme in Christ Church Peckham will maximise its transformative potential as people see that lives can be changed for the better through fitness. Our Old Kent Road location adjoins the Ledbury Estate and neighbours several other North Peckham housing estates. Except for residents in new-build flats, there are no gym facilities within ten-minutes’ walk. We are currently poorly connected for transport with no major train stations nearby. Our gym programme will be of particular benefit to local people facing barriers to accessing sports services due to the high cost of travel and long bus journeys. We’re aware that new developments under construction include new sports facilities; however, these options won’t suit those on a budget who need ready access to free or highly subsidised services. Gym training has a positive influence on motivation and offers a healthy challenge, sense of satisfaction and goals achievement. By empowering local people through our gym programme, we will help individuals build strength, confidence and career readiness. This is part of levelling the gap in an area where continuing gentrification has arguably further marginalised the poorest in the area and eroded communities.Budget breakdownEquipment Flat bench x1 £164.99 Wall ball targets x2 £263.98 Plyo boxes x2 £551.98 Handstand push up board x3 £611.96 Total £1,592.91 Coaching 12 hours p/w @ £25 p/h for 12 months £14,400.00Total £14,400.00Community building Food [£10 per session x 6 p/w] £2,880.00Coaching Course x 3 (participants) £3,300.00Competition entry costs £1,000.00Total £7,180.00Volunteers Equipment Expenses (£100 per volunteer) £700.00Coaching course £1,100.00 Total £1,800.00TOTAL (Equipment, Coaching, Community Building, Volunteers) £24,972.91

Christa Daboiko6 months ago Black Joy x Wellness is a community-centred initiative dedicated to promoting holistic wellbeing for Black and Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC) through yoga, healing activities and community building. Founded by yoga teachers Christa and Georgie, we address the unique challenges faced by BIPOC in accessing support for our mental, emotional, and physical health. Our Project We are requesting £5000 to deliver Quarterly wellness events and mini-retreats featuring yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing and other activities (e.g. from past events include African drumming, perfume making, herbal remedies) Community circles and mental wellbeing workshops Subsidised and free spaces, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity A subsidised space on our 2026 international wellness retreat in Africa! This project is for Black, Asian and ethnic minority people BIPOC with mental health and wellbeing needs BIPOC on low income BIPOC LGBTQ+ communities as all are welcome and invited to participate in safe, inclusive spaces The impact Improved mental health and resilience BIPOC face physical and mental health disadvantages that impact their wellbeing. For example, Black British women were more likely to experience a mental health problem (29%) in the last week compared to White British women (21%). Regular yoga, and related tools reduce stress, anxiety, chronic pain and feelings of isolation leading to improved mental health. Yoga also improves respiratory and cardiovascular function, reduces inflammation and contributes to better physical health and longevity. Access to wellness for underserved groups Wellness spaces are inaccessible and often unwelcoming. Less than 1% of people surveyed practising yoga in the UK identified as Black or Black British. Through safe, affirming spaces for BIPOC we foster representation, belonging and counter exclusion. We lower financial, cultural and social barriers to accessing support for our mental, emotional and physical health to improve quality of life and empower our community. Healing racial trauma Yoga is an invaluable tool for healing the effects of ancestral trauma and navigating racialised stress. By reclaiming these ancient practices with roots in Asia and Africa, we amplify marginalised voices and experiences as a path to collective healing. With your support this grant will cover Venue hire and equipment Fair compensation for facilitators and guest collaborators Healthy African and Caribbean based catering Promotional materials, marketing and website A subsidised space for 2026 Black Joy Wellness Retreat in Africa. This year we are taking 10 Black women to Ghana! Why our project will be a success Since August 2023 we have hosted sold out events mainly in Brixton and Peckham, showing the need and demand for representative and culturally sensitive wellness spaces. Feedback shows a positive impact on attendees’ mental health, increased self-confidence, sense of belonging, and motivation to make positive choices for their health. We are experienced facilitators who work closely with other Black and Asian practitioners to celebrate joy as a form of resistance. We have created a strong community with returning attendees, many based in South-East London. With your support we will expand our reach in Brixton and Peckham, supporting underserved BIPOC to thrive through joy, peace, and abundance.

Zurine Santander6 months ago BlindAid requests £12,500 for its Sight Support Service benefiting 33+ blind & visually impaired (VI) residents in Peckham with SE15 postcodesThey’re a particularly vulnerable “unseen & unheard” group: mainly older people (65-100+) living alone with sight loss, facing extreme isolation, poverty & poor health. They’re at high risk of falls/fractures, depression, heart disease, loneliness & stress due to the daily challenges they face, their loss of independence & sedentary life. Transport barriers, inaccessible infrastructure & limited digital skills mean many are shut out from everyday life, unable to access services, connect with others or participate in their community. Their isolation puts them at high risk of abuse & exploitation by “friends”, family & scammers praying on their vulnerability- & a rapid decline in physical & mental health.80% of UK blind/VI are aged 65+ (RNIB). Despite their health needs only 10% of blind/VI people get health info e.g. appointment letters in accessible formats e.g. braille/audio (SLC 2021), causing interruptions in care, serious health risks & disengagement from services. Depression is over double for VI people than the UK average (RNIB) but only 17% receive counselling (RNIB). Our Peckham Service User (SU) survey shows: 95% live on benefits, they can’t afford paid support services; 80% receive no help at all from other charities, they feel "forgotten". 58% receive no, or few, visits from loved ones; 54% can’t leave home alone; 53% are alone at least 4 days/wk.BlindAid’s Sight Support Workers (SSW) spend 1-2 hrs/wk with each SU via home visits & phone calls to provide:Service Access: By reading appointment letters, arranging appointments, transport, liaising with services, completing forms & advocating on their behalf, SSW connect SU to vital services e.g. GPs, hospitals, ESA, benefits etc.Emotional support: Long-term companionship, connection & encouragement. Regular visits bring a joy, reduce loneliness & are something to look forward to. Trained in mental health first aid, SSW help SU develop coping mechanisms to psychologically adjust to sight loss & regain their confidence & independence.Wellbeing Monitoring & Advice: For many, their SSW is their only contact with the outside world. SSW can detect deterioration in mood, health, living conditions, coping abilities or signs of abuse/exploitation that may otherwise go unnoticed, averting crises e.g. hospitalisation. SSWs raise urgent safeguarding concerns when needed. SSWs train in topics e.g. accessible tech, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma & advise SU about new scams; ways to stay healthy; services & assistive devices available to them etc.Practical help: reading food & medicine labels; resolving issues with utilities, banks, GPs; translation when possible; digital access; sourcing assistive devices e.g. talking microwaves, audio books; finding lost/dropped items & other tasks prioritised by the beneficiary that support their independence &wellbeing.Outcomes based on past Survey Results90% feel less isolated90% experience a life-changing or significantly positive impact80% feel more confident80% report improved general wellbeing, quality of life & mental health75% feel more independent65% helped to stay connected to NHS/statutory services50% helped to cope emotionally (Some SU have been VI for years &dont need this support)We’ve delivered this service for 190 years. Unlike larger charities, BlindAid works on a deeply personal, local level. We’re the only local charity providing consistent, holistic home-based support, for free, that users depend on & look forward to. 100% of our Peckham SU say BlindAid provides them with the most useful support compared to other charities. We reach those most in need that others can’t. Without BlindAid’s help many tell us they would never leave their homes or have any social interaction at all. We help blind/VI people to feel happy, connected, visible, valued & like they belong again.

Delia Edwards-Julien6 months ago The ‘All Woman’ Programme is a 12-month, holistic personal development and empowerment programme tailored specifically for Black African and Caribbean women living in Peckham. Delivered by The Eve Project, a Black-women-led organisation with a proven track record, the programme addresses systemic inequalities through a culturally competent, person centred framework.This programme is designed to support 100 women directly, focusing on those who are single mothers, unemployed or underemployed, experiencing poor mental health, financial hardship, or social isolation. Participants will engage in themed workshops and one-to-one coaching that explore the intersectional challenges Black women face — from mental health to employment, financial literacy, parenting, relationships, health, education, and civic engagement.What Will the Project Deliver?12 monthly modules, each with: One in-person, themed group seminar (3 hours) Three online, group coaching sessions (1 hour each) Themes include: Mental health, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Family, Food & Nutrition, Financial Empowerment, Relationships, Body Image, Health Literacy, Education, Politics, and Community Belonging. Graduate celebration event and ongoing legacy planning to sustain impact and peer-led support.Who Will Benefit?The programme is designed for Black African and Caribbean women living in Peckham, including: Single mothers Women facing unemployment or underemployment Those experiencing mental health issues or social isolation Women affected by poverty or the cost-of-living crisis Aspiring entrepreneurs or learners seeking re-entry to education or the workforce Participants will benefit from increased skills, improved wellbeing, deeper community connections, and sustainable personal and economic growth.What Difference Will It Make?The programme will: Improve mental health and self-esteem through targeted support and peer validation Equip women with skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and education Promote financial resilience via coaching on budgeting, debt management, and financial literacy Strengthen family wellbeing and relationship skills Encourage community leadership and political engagement, increasing Black women’s visibility and representation Combat social isolation, building networks of support and belonging How Will the Funding Help?Funding will enable: Recruitment of qualified, culturally competent facilitators and coaches Venue hire and online zoom platform for monthly workshops and celebration events Provision of participant resources, materials, and digital access support Monitoring, evaluation, and legacy-building activities Outreach and coordination to ensure accessibility and inclusion This investment will create long-term ripple effects, improving not only individual outcomes but also the wellbeing of families and wider communities.Why Will the Project Be a Success?The Eve Project has: Supported over 2,000 Black women since 2018 A Black-female-led team with deep lived and professional experience in both the public, private and voluntary sectors. Two directors collectively bring over 30 years of experience in counselling and psychotherapy, including the delivery of training and Ofqual-accredited counselling courses. Established partnerships and trust within target communities A track record of delivering trauma-informed, culturally resonant programmes A robust delivery plan co-designed by and for Black women The ‘All Woman’ Programme is timely, urgent, and strategically designed to address intersecting inequalities in a sustainable, empowering, and community-driven way.

Elsie Cullen6 months ago High Street Heroes is an innovative and community-centred approach that will transform Peckham’s high street into a wellbeing network by training barbers, nail technicians, hairdressers, and off-license workers as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA). These trusted community figures already act as informal counsellors and local pillars for thousands of residents. Therefore, we will equip them with the tools, confidence, and accreditation to recognise distress, listen effectively, and signpost people to professional help. We are requesting £50,000 to carry out this project.The project will train 50 high street workers through accredited three-day MHFA courses, with paid training leave so small business owners can take part without financial loss. Businesses that complete full-team training will receive a marketing and digital transformation package, including branding, social-media skills, and access to other tech solutions. This ensures that supporting mental health also strengthens local business sustainability and visibility, incentivising more organisations to take up this training.High Street Heroes will support: Elder-led business owners from African, Caribbean, Latin American and Asian backgrounds with high street premises. Children, Young People, Adults and Families from ethnically diverse communities who visit these shops daily and see them as trusted, culturally familiar spaces. Undocumented or marginalised residents who are often excluded from statutory services but feel safe in these informal spaces. Homeless people and those struggling with mental health challenges who frequent the local high streets and engage with high street workers on a daily basis. By engaging this mix of communities, the project will reach people across cultural, generational, and socioeconomic lines, reflecting Peckham’s true diversity. We intend for our project to be piloted on Peckham High Street along Peckham Rye Lane, which is visited by thousands of people every day.High Street Heroes will: Reduce stigma around mental health by embedding open, culturally sensitive conversations into everyday community spaces. Increase early intervention, as trained local figures learn to spot signs of distress and respond confidently. Boost economic resilience, giving small traders the digital and marketing tools to thrive. Strengthen neighbourhood cohesion, creating visible, trusted “High Street Heroes” who champion wellbeing for all. We expect at least 500 residents to be positively impacted through direct conversations, referrals, and community engagement.The £50,000 funding will cover training delivery, participant stipends, and marketing support for local businesses. It removes barriers for those unable to take unpaid leave and ensures equal access to quality training.It will also facilitate ongoing group support sessions for all enrolled high street workers who have the option of taking part in quarterly meet ups to reflect on their experience as Key Mental Health workers and build connections with other business people in the area.By combining mental health education with economic empowerment, High Street Heroes builds a sustainable model of community wellbeing, empowering small business owners to care for themselves, their staff, and their customers. National initiatives like EXTRA’s “Boss Breaks” and barber mental-health programmes have already shown how local businesses can drive wellbeing and connection.High Street Heroes builds on that success through a locally led, culturally grounded approach. Working with MHFA-certified trainers, community networks, and local business associations, the project will deliver accredited training, meaningful partnerships, and measurable outcomes. Participants will leave with recognised qualifications, new skills, and renewed confidence, turning everyday high-street workers into true heroes of community wellbeing.Project Proposal Link here

Chris Marsh6 months ago Phoenix Rising Youth Organisation is a Peckham-based company dedicated to supporting and working with the younger generation between the ages of 8 to 25 years and supporting those with SEMH, SEN, and physically challenging needs. Project Peckham's objective is to empower young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalised groups in the area of Peckham, providing them with the tools and support they need to rise above their challenges and reach their full potential. We aim to achieve this by providing:· Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaching – Group therapy and individual counselling in physical and artistic activities· Academic Support – Tailored tutoring in core subjects· Vocational Training – Providing support for accredited courses leading to employment· Employability Services - CV building, interview preparation, career mentoring and access to apprenticeships and internships · Youth Engagement & Leadership – Strengthen the relationship within the communityOur goal is to provide these services via workshops in order to help the community and assist in reducing crime rate by providing a safe and nurturing environment. This will be successful as this is a unique service that is not currently being offered in Peckham yet has proven successful in other areas. We currently teach mixed martial arts (MMA) and self-defence classes in schools alongside school-based outreach programs and wish to expand this further. Having our own environment will ensure these services can expand, introducing many components of what we intend to provide. Therefore, the £50,000 will benefit the community as this will contribute immensely to the services we are currently offering. This cost will help with the day-to-day running of the services and training sessions.

Saula Ogunkoya6 months ago 1.*£30,000.002.*Regular group and one-to-one music tuition, aligned with ABRSM and Trinity standardsA free instrument loan scheme for young people unable to afford their own instrumentsProvision of healthy meals during sessions, and a food distribution programme to support those affected by food insecurity.Public community concerts and performance events to build confidence and visibilityStructured progression routes, including preparation for graded music examinationsWe are a community-based music education charity, dedicated to advancing access to high-quality music training for children and young people from low-income, migrant, and underrepresented backgrounds. Our mission is to remove financial and social barriers to music education and to support the holistic development of young people through creativity, discipline, confidence-building, and community engagement. We train on various musical instruments: Brass, Woodwind, Strings, Piano, and Percussion.The aim to deliver a comprehensive and inclusive music and wellbeing programme that combines free instrument access, structured music tuition, healthy meals during sessions, and a food distribution programme to address food poverty, and public performance opportunities. 3.*We primarily support children and young people aged 5–25 from disadvantaged, marginalised, or financially constrained backgrounds. Many of the families we serve are low-income, migrant, or single-parent households. The wider community will benefit from increased participation, inclusion, and cultural enrichment through public performance events.4.*Reduces inequality of access by removing financial barriers to music educationSupports well-being and mental resilience through safe, structured, creative engagementMitigates the effects of food poverty, improving concentration, dignity, and inclusionBuilds confidence, aspiration, and discipline, opening pathways to education and careersStrengthens community cohesion, celebrating identity and culture through shared experiencesEquip young people with skills for life that could lead to a lucrative career in music, as some of our alumni are already experiencing.Provide an alternative pathway to a career from the mainstream education system, especially to those who are not academically astute.5.*Peckham is on the council’s list as one of the most deprived areas of the borough in the 2019 Southwark Indices of Deprivation. This funding will enable us to keep our music programme fully accessible and free to those who need it most. It will ensure that young people from financially struggling households are not excluded from life-enhancing musical and developmental opportunities that would skill them for life. Many of our past and present learners use their ABRSM results with us to gain extra valuable UCAS points into universities. By supporting both education and wellbeing, the project will offer a positive, structured alternative to mainstream education, strong mental health, high self esteem, and hope for young people in Peckham. 6.*Salem Academy has a strong track record of delivering impactful and inclusive music programmes, Over 85% of our learners stay with us for over 10 years. We have good good relationship with the council (collaborated with two Southwark Mayors, and was one of the three charities chosen by Cllr Michael Situ, during his mayoral term. Many of our trainees attain very high standards at an early age. Children as young as six years old are achieving grade 5 (GCSE equivalent), and 13-year-olds passed grade 7 with distinction (A-level equivalent). Many organisations hire us for, Weddings, BHM, etc. We are embedded within the community and are led by experienced, passionate, music teacher. From the council's youth consultation from 18/05/2023 to 02/07/2023, in the 'PFYPF commissioning framework and grant specification', 44.70% (the highest in the survey), chose learning a musical instrument as a skill they would like to have.

Terry-King Emmanuel7 months ago Dad2Dad Wellbeing Hubs – SouthwarkThe Dad2Dad Wellbeing Hubs programme seeks £50,000 to deliver a 12-month health and wellbeing initiative supporting fathers and male carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), particularly within migrant and low-income families in the Peckham area. Operating from our base at Peckham Arches, a vibrant and accessible community hub at the heart of Southwark, the location provides an ideal setting for this project, welcoming, inclusive, and well-connected to local networks and families.The programme will create safe spaces where fathers can connect, learn, and thrive. Weekly peer-to-peer sessions will offer dads the opportunity to share experiences, build friendships, and attend workshops led by professionals on mental health, resilience, and family wellbeing. Practical life skills will be developed through cooking and nutrition sessions focused on affordable, culturally diverse, SEND-friendly meals using local produce from Southwark markets. These sessions will also include advice on housing, employment rights, and access to local services, linking everyday wellbeing to empowerment and stability.To promote physical health and community engagement, the project will include inclusive sporting activities such as football, table tennis, and group walks in collaboration with partners like Burgess Sports and Southwark Table Tennis Club. Fathers will also participate in quarterly mindfulness retreats in green spaces such as Burgess and Dulwich Parks, learning techniques for relaxation and stress management to sustain their caring roles.The programme primarily supports fathers and carers of SEND children in Southwark, especially those from African, Caribbean, Latin American, and Eastern European backgrounds who face cultural or language barriers that limit access to mainstream support. By offering a culturally sensitive and accessible environment, Dad2Dad Wellbeing Hubs will strengthen family relationships, reduce isolation, and contribute to a more resilient Peckham community.The project will improve mental health by reducing stress and loneliness, enhance physical wellbeing through active living and better nutrition, build peer networks for ongoing support, and empower fathers to advocate for their children confidently. Southwark records more than 5,000 residents providing over 50 hours of unpaid care each week—many are fathers of SEND children whose needs are often invisible in service design. This initiative directly responds to that gap.Funding will enable us to hire skilled facilitators with lived experience of SEND and migration, secure community venues across Peckham and Camberwell, provide sports and cooking equipment, deliver wellbeing activities and retreats, and monitor outcomes through surveys and case studies.The project builds on the success of our first Dad2Dad event, which attracted over 60 local fathers. Co-designed with Southwark dads, it is supported by strong partnerships with Burgess Sports, South London SEND Network, and local faith groups. Led by lived-experience mentors and wellbeing coaches, the project is rooted in community ownership and trust.Joshy Boy Legacy CIC, based at Peckham Arches, is a Southwark-focused organisation dedicated to improving wellbeing, housing, and inclusion for SEND and migrant families. This project complements our Parent Mentorship Programme funded by the National Lottery, ensuring sustainability and lasting impact.By improving wellbeing, fostering inclusion, and strengthening family resilience, Dad2Dad Wellbeing Hubs will leave a lasting legacy for fathers, carers, and children across Southwark.

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