Groups from Brixton, Lambeth and other parts of South London can, once again, apply for grants to help people in need or distress from a £40,000 fund made available by the local Thrale Charity.
Five Brixton groups and two Lambeth-wide ones received funding of almost £12,000 last year. The Brixton groups included the Advocacy Academy and CEF Lyncx.
A simple application form can be downloaded from www.thralealmshouses.org.uk or contact info@thralealmshouses.org.uk for more information. The deadline for applications is 3 January.
The charity said it was looking forward to hearing from local groups, especially if they had not applied for a grant from Thrale before.
Last year saw the highest-ever number of applications to the charity.
It says that it tries to spread its resources as widely as possible because many small community groups are struggling to find funding.
“We know from feedback that small amounts of local funding can make a big difference to the quality and variety of what can be offered,” said the charity.
“These are important organisations that supply opportunities, activities, belonging and support to disadvantaged groups – social glue that helps to bond and enrich our local communities.
Grant awards for this year included:
The Advocacy Academy – civic participation training for young adults from South London
The St. Matthew’s Project – for girls’ football training, tournaments and coaching certificate opportunities across South London
Kinetika Bloco – music and dance activities for young people in the Tulse Hill area
4All – girls’ empowerment group in West Dulwich
CEF Lyncx – summer project in Brixton for young adults with disabilities
Streatham Youth and Community Trust – intergenerational work with teenagers and older people
Incredible Edible Lambeth – seed growing and planting activities in the Tulse Hill area
Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses – storytelling sessions for older local people and pre-school children
Clapham Park Project – befriending project for older residents
Faiths Together in Lambeth – mental health first aid training for volunteers and staff across Lambeth
The Spires Centre – rough sleepers project in Streatham offering food, clothing, showers, counselling, training and support
Outings for Older South Londoners – talks and outings to combat loneliness
Opening Doors – social activities for older LGBT+ people in South London
The Nehemiah project – Streatham-based personal development course for men moving on from addiction
Drop-In Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers – activities, support, health and advice in Streatham
Norwood and Brixton Foodbank – offering money management sessions to clients in West Norwood.
The charity traces its origins to the wealthy Thrale family who had a grand house where the Streatham Park housing estate now stands. It was, for several years, the home of Dr Samuel Johnson, the famous wit (A man who is tired of London is tired of life) and dictionary creator.
It still has several almshouses, the original ones were built in 1832 by the daughters of Henry Thrale, a brewer. He had 12 children, but only four daughters survived to adulthood. The eldest, Hester, was a noted intellectual who studied Latin with Dr Johnson.
