Aldgate Connect BID award this year’s Community Fund

Following on from the huge success of last year’s edition, the Aldgate Connect BID are delighted to announce that the Aldgate Community Fund will be supporting a further 6 projects and initiatives over the coming months. A total budget of £25,800 has been allocated to this year’s fund, offering up to £5,000 for each project and supporting an estimated 355 people over the next 12 months.

We were delighted to see so many incredible applications to the fund, which further highlighted the amazing work being carried out by community groups and non-profit organisations across Aldgate and wider London.

After reviewing each application with a panel of local businesses and key community representatives, Aldgate Connect BID are excited to announce we will be supporting the following projects:

‘Yes, Chef!’ by Providence Row
Providence Row is an East London-based charity, working to tackle the root causes of homelessness and help people get the support they need to stay off the streets. As well as immediate support for those facing homelessness, Providence Row also provide valuable training and employment opportunities to help people back into work. We’re excited to be supporting their 10-week kitchen training programme, ‘Yes, Chef!’, which will help to provide their clients with practical culinary skills as well as support for job/volunteer opportunities within the industry.

Renaissance Foundation
The Renaissance Foundation helps to inspire young people to reach their full potential, specifically supporting young people facing challenges. From career days and business visits to wellbeing initiatives and access to arts & culture, The Renaissance Foundation helps to empower and inspire young people across London through new opportunities.

Treasure Sports Club
The Treasure Sports Club aims to create a safe space for children from Aldgate and Tower Hamlets to learn new skills, improve mental and physical wellbeing, and combat loneliness. The organisation is already helping hundreds of children across the UK with free sports and skills classes. With this funding, they will be delivering a year-long after school boxing club and creating a safe environment for children and families in the local area.

The Switch (Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership)
The Switch helps to facilitate effective partnerships between education and employers, creating exciting personal development opportunities and new career pathways. We’re delighted to be supporting 3 of their Financial Literacy Days, which will provide essential financial education to 150 pupils in the local area. These interactive sessions not only help to improve financial education but also help to highlight career opportunities within the financial industry, opening new career pathways to young children in Tower Hamlets.

SocietyLinks, Tower Hamlets
SocietyLinks is a community-based charity that provides opportunities and activities to address the needs of underprivileged people in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Through targeted projects, they aim to empower people to make significant lifestyle and social changes. They will be working to support adults and young people into employment, supporting with apprenticeships, work experience, skills training, and practical sessions on interview preparation and CV building.

Learning Through The Arts
Learning Through The Arts is a social enterprise that utilises the arts as a means for self-improvement and development. They focus on using arts and culture to improve mental health and wellbeing, whilst tackling social isolation in communities. This project will deliver weekly creative workshops to tackle loneliness in the local community and create a space for people to come together, explore their creative side, and build new connections.

We look forward to watching these incredible projects play an important role in supporting the local community. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates!