OVER 200 community groups across London are celebrating after being awarded almost £400,000 of National Lottery funding to host community-led events this September.
The Mayor’s Community Weekend, taking place from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September, comes thanks to a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund – the largest community funder in the UK – and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Groups across London will bring people together through community-led activities, with events highlighting what local people can achieve together when provided with common places and spaces – instilling safety, trust and belonging.
Example of events taking place across the weekend include:
A vibrant community picnic in Greenwich Park, hosted by New Arrivals Support. The picnic aims to bring refugee and migrant families together from across Greenwich and Lewisham in a celebration of diversity and belonging.
Senfocus will host a garden party for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. The garden party aims to strengthen community connections and reduce loneliness.
Sadiq Khan, The Mayor of London, said:
“I’m thrilled that more than 200 community groups will be bringing Londoners of all backgrounds together in September for the Mayor’s Community Weekend. The first event was a huge success and this year we’re looking forward to a wide range of special events and activities taking place across the capital as we celebrate our diverse communities and build a better London for everyone.”
John Mothersole, England Chair at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:
“Mayor’s Community Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for communities across London to be bold and make something amazing happen on their doorstep. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Weekend will bring groups from all corners and demographics of the city together to celebrate London’s unique place in the world.
“The groups we have awarded funding to – and the large number of excellent applications we received – are testament to the creativity and commitment of London’s diverse communities.”
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities. More than 80% of our game-changing grants are for under £20,000 – going to grassroots groups and local charities at the heart of their communities.
