A scheme where residents can give money, time or expertise to good causes in Greenwich has been boosted by a donation from the council.
Some £3,600 of cash paid to the council by film-makers using parts of the borough for location shoots has been given to Greenwich Giving, which was set up last year.
Greenwich Giving fundraises for local initiatives, the latest of which is the Social Connections Fund, which provides small grants and practical support for residents to set up clubs, activities or events to help tackle loneliness or isolation, with a focus on four priority wards.
Residents are also invited to join a panel to decide how the money from the fund, which currently sits at £11,000, is spent.
Anna Ritchie, the head of Greenwich Giving, told The Greenwich Wire: “You might say, ‘Actually I think what’s really needed is a mum-and-babies group because mums in my area don’t have anything and I know the local library will let us use that space’ and £500 would mean we could give everyone teas and coffees or something like that.’
“You could decide that you want to run that and you could apply for the fund. Or you could be someone who doesn’t have any time or ideas, but wants to give money to the giving campaign. Or just tell us what you think is needed in your area.”
Greenwich Giving has also recently helped to fund a basketball club and board games club on the Greenwich Peninsula in a project with the area’s main developer, Knight Dragon.
The organisation also matches businesses with community groups in need of help, recently finding construction companies who could help Eltham Sheds – formerly the Men in Sheds group – with its new base at Woodlands Farm in Shooters Hill.
Greenwich Council said that it wanted to ensure that filming in the borough benefited the community by sending some of the cash to Greenwich Giving.
Sandra Bauer, the cabinet member for equalities, communities and culture, said: “We know how much of a difference Greenwich Giving continues to make. From helping local people to supporting grassroots organisations, the charity has become a vital part of our community. This donation is a small way for us to say thank you for everything they do, and to show our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of commercial filming in our borough are felt by the people who live here.”
To find out more, visit greenwichgiving.org.uk.
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