CITY Bridge Trust has dished out grants totalling more than £2.5million to 34 charities tackling inequality and disadvantage across London in its latest round of funding – giving Santa a run for his money as the biggest gift giver around.
The cash injections include £113,960 to the Royal Society for Blind Children towards an apprenticeship programme for 40 blind and partially sighted young people, and £120,000 to Depaul UK for a service supporting homeless young people with mental health issues.
The trust has also given charity Gingerbread £50,000 for a piece of research into the needs of single parent families in London.
“In our latest round of funding we have awarded grants to a wide variety of charities; from projects tackling plastic pollution in Britain’s waterways to mental health services supporting migrants and refugees suffering from trauma,” said Alison Gowman, chairman of the City Bridge Trust committee.
“We are funding work tackling inequality in the Capital which will really make an impact and change the lives of Londoners with our support.”
Dr Tom Pey, chief executive of the Royal Society for Blind Children, said the financial boost will go a long way.
“The funds will allow us to build on the great successes we have already achieved gaining employment for blind and partially sighted young people by developing an apprenticeship programme.
“We look forward to being able to expand our partnerships with inspirational employers such as GSK, TfL, and the NHS to ensure the growing numbers of young people we work with realise their full potential in the workplace.”
Meanwhile, a total of £84,000 has been awarded to Causeway Irish Housing Association (CIHA), based in Haringey.
The charity provides temporary accommodation for the Capital’s young, single, homeless migrants and refugees, and the new programme will work with people in Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets.
The project will provide one-to one support with a mental health worker, help tenants access mainstream services locally, and offer group wellbeing support.
The initiative comes after a CIHA survey of its tenants found that over 50% reported experiencing mental ill health, with the most common conditions being extreme anxiety linked to post traumatic stress and coping with grief.
Alan D’Arcy, assistant director for Causeway Irish Housing Association, said:
“An important part of the programme will be working with people on emotional wellbeing and mindfulness including managing difficult feelings, healthy eating and exercise.”
