Derwent London plc ("Derwent London" / "the Group") is pleased to announce details of its 2015 community funding programme in Fitzrovia. This forms part of its on-going sustainability programme and follows the launch of the £250,000 community fund in 2013.

Fitzrovia Community Centre - new courtyard garden

All Souls Clubhouse - lunchclub

Derwent London invites local community groups, residents and local business owners to apply for the third year of awards from its Fitzrovia community fund. For 2015, a total of £65,000 will be available. The deadline for receiving applications is 5pm on Friday 20 March 2015.

As last year, the applications will be considered by representatives from Derwent London and the local community. For further information and how to apply, please visit www.derwentlondon.com/news/article/fitzrovia-community-fund-2015 or contact Derwent London on 020 7659 3000 or email fitzrovia@derwentlondon.com.

Derwent London has worked closely with the local community to develop this programme to enable the delivery of worthwhile projects in the area. Grants from this community fund are in addition to the Group's required community contributions from planning agreements.

Many projects funded in 2013 and 2014 are either completed or under way and are providing much needed improvements, community facilities and new opportunities in the area. In Year 1 of the fund (2013) a total of £70,000 was awarded to five local organisations and in Year 2 (2014), £75,000 to seven organisations.

John Davies, Head of Sustainability at Derwent London, commented:

"We are pleased to continue our community funding programme in Fitzrovia. Again working together with the local community, we look forward to supporting a range of worthwhile local projects this year. We also look forward to seeing the remaining projects from 2013 and 2014 come to fruition."

Background on the Derwent London Fitzrovia community fund
During 2012, Derwent London commissioned an extensive research and community engagement programme called 'Understanding Fitzrovia' which helped identify the issues most important to local residents. The findings of the study enabled the Group to develop a community investment strategy with a commitment of £250,000 towards initiatives in the Fitzrovia community over a 3-5 year period (inclusive of £50,000 towards fees and contingencies). Launched in May 2013, the investment areas identified include supporting improvements to public spaces and street environments, community programmes and events and activities around arts and culture.

To complement the Fitzrovia community funding programme, Derwent London also launched a staff volunteering scheme in 2013 to enable employees to contribute their time and skills to some of the projects. In both December 2013 and October 2014, Derwent London staff took part in the Fitzrovia Youth in Action/City Gateway 'Speed Networking' event which saw young people meet professionals to ask questions, share experiences and provide valuable information on working life.

Organisations funded so far:

2013:
Fitzrovia Community Centre - for creating a community garden at the Fitzrovia Community Centre including a pop-up café and gallery. www.fitzroviacommunitycentre.org
Fitzrovia Youth in Action - for the resurfacing of The Warren multi-use games area and setting up a local football league. The resurfacing is expected to be ready by early 2015. www.fya.org.uk
All Souls Primary School - for running lunch and after-school clubs and parenting classes.
All Souls Clubhouse - for the Wednesday Lunch Club for older people.
Fitzrovia Trust - for replanting the garden at the Fitzrovia Nursery.

2014:
Fitzrovia Noir - An art project portraying streetlife in Fitzrovia. www.fitzrovianoir.com
Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association - Positive Health exercise and massage project for Bangladeshi and elderly women. www.fitzrovia.org.uk
Upbeat Music - Songs inspired by Dylan Thomas - music project for people with mental health issues. www.upbeatmusic.org
All Souls Clubhouse - Supporting their ClubCare project and providing new kitchen facilities. www.clubhousew1.org
All Souls Primary School - Learning together through technology - photography project for children. www.allsoulsprimary.co.uk
Women Like Us - From Playground to Payslip - supporting Fitzrovia parents to combine work and family life. www.womenlikeus.org.uk
ARTfitzrovia - Taking the next steps - expanding the community project that provides a safe place for homeless and vulnerably housed people to meet and develop their art. www.artfitzrovia.org

Download Press Release

Download 2015 Application Form

Download 2015 application Guidelines

Download Derwent London Volunteering Programme

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