Discover the organisations passing “Go” with our Community Chest Grant funding
11 new community projects which will help make Waltham Forest a healthier and fairer place to live have been announced, funded by the Waltham Forest Community Chest grant programme.
Creating Conversations: Good Death, Good Grief café
These monthly group events encourage conversations about grief. They will help people have a better understanding of their own grief and loss, but also help others know how to support someone who is grieving.
“We tend to shy away from these conversations about death and grief and from connecting with those who are grieving. But this can lead to people feeling isolated and misunderstood. This funding will help create supportive spaces where people can have open conversations.” – Debbie, Creating Conversations Director
“There is absolutely no pressure to speak, and it’s enormously helpful to listen to the experiences of others. You will leave feeling better." – Grief Café participant
The Discovery Space by NoorWorks
All residents can join these new community spaces in Walthamstow, Chingford Mount and Highams Park for a few hours a month to speak about whatever they want, boosting mental health and bringing communities together.
“The Discovery Space is warm, welcoming, supportive and caring. It’s a place where you’re made to feel safe but encouraged to think more reflectively.” - Chris Cratchley, participant
All Saints Church: Financial Support
This Highams Park church offers professional debt advice at drop-in sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11am to 2pm.
“Thanks to this grant we’ve retained our debt advice worker, who works with people across the community through our drop-in service to support their financial situation. We’ve already been able to relieve £195,000 of debt from 56 local people, who have been able to restart their lives.” - Peter, Community Development Manager at All Saints Church
Mile Rainbow: Brain Nutrients for Better Health
Brain Nutrients for Better Health brings together the diverse communities in Waltham Forest through movement and mindfulness, with creative and physical activity.
“Thanks to the Community Chest Grants, Mile Rainbow CIC successfully delivered eight East Asian Calligraphy and Dance Workshops. The project attracted 77 young and old people across Waltham Forest. All of them greatly enjoyed the health benefits of these intriguing creative and physical activities!” - Hong Zhou, Mile Rainbow CIC
More about the other successful projects
Bags of Taste: Mentored Home Cooking Courses
A behaviour change home cooking course structured to support residents overcome the many barriers that people face to eating well.
Contact Talula Noor at: wforest@bagsoftaste.org
Waltham Forest Women’s Network: Empower Women Project
The Network runs a monthly Menopause Café at the Lea Bridge Library, as well as a wellbeing programme for young single mums and a series of workshops for women of all ages with an experience of difficult pregnancy or childbirth.
Contact Jackie at: info.wfwn@gmail.com
Women’s Decision Group
The Women’s Decision Group CIC is a community-based peer organisation that supports women affected by domestic violence. The Group runs two weekly workshops led by women survivors, offering wellbeing activities, peer-to-peer mentoring, practical support, and skills exchange to connect, share, gain confidence and empower women.
Contact Sharron at: womensdomesticgroup@outlook.com
Higham Hill Hub: Sow, Grow, Thrive
A social intergenerational gardening community partnership project organising horticulture sessions and community harvest events, to promote the therapeutic and social benefits of horticulture and the health benefits of growing your own. Their main aims are to reduce loneliness, increase feelings of connection amongst participants and increase awareness of health services.
Contact Lillian at: lillian.gerber@pinpointinc.org
Blossom: Community Access Support and Advice
Blossom offers support, information and advice to diverse communities on a variety of topics including access to benefits and health services both in English and various community languages, ensuring accessibility.
Contact Shahid at: shahidmahmood@blossom.place
MBS Wellbeing: African & Caribbean Community Health Network
The African and Caribbean Community Health Network aims to achieve fairer health equity for the African and Caribbean Communities in Waltham Forest, with a series of health interventions, sessions and events to provide residents with information and advice about health, nutrition, benefits and social welfare. The Network also organises gentle exercise sessions and cultural activities.
Contact Joan at: Joelainenicholson@hotmail.co.uk
The Gleaners Café: Take a Break
Through their Take a Break programme the Gleaners Café (pictured at the top of the page) invites members from specific local organisations to eat for free, take a break and talk with them in their warm, welcoming & accessible cafe space, away from everyday stresses. They also offer wellbeing group coaching sessions.
Contact: thegleanerscafe@gmail.com or find the Gleaners Cafè on Instagram
More funding opportunities
Are you a Voluntary or Community Sector organisation? Check out our new Waltham Forest Funding Portal where you can find all the funding options available in Waltham Forest.