Havering Council Slash Funding for Disabled Charity

Last week – First Step, a local charity for disabled Children, announced that they need to raise £200,000 to avoid closure after losing funding from Havering Council.

The charity in Tangmere Crescent, Elm Park, has continued to provide support for hundreds of children with special needs and disabilities for many years and has become a vital part of the community.

In 2017 First Step lost funding from the local authority and has had to draw further into its charity reserves. The charity has now expressed three options on their future outcome:

MP welcomes new initiative to tackle homelessness

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the launch of a new initiative which will double the street outreach team and prepare severe weather shelters to open London-wide whenever freezing temperatures are forecast in a bid to help rough sleepers in the capital. Alongside this contactless donation points have been set up across London offering Londoners the chance to donate to homeless charity projects directly.

Local Mums Petition to Save Funding for Autism Charity

On May 17th 2018, local autism charity ‘The Sycamore Trust’ released a statement regarding funding cuts implemented by Havering Council. Two of the trust’s Wednesday night clubs had been told to ‘shut down immediately’ after the local authority withdrew vital funding. Both youth clubs provided activities for children and young people with autism, and adults with learning difficulties.

Dagenham United Charity bring Christmas to Butler Court

Earlier this year Dagenham United Charity organised Easter eggs to be delivered to the 150 children currently living in Butler Court, a homeless hostel in Dagenham. Normally during the festive season the charity organises hampers for struggling residents but this Christmas Councillor Margaret Mullane, one of the Trustees for Dagenham United Charity, is taking it a step further.

Autism Awareness Week, Visit to DABD

On Monday 27th of March, day one of Autism Awareness Week, Havering Coordinator Fay Hough visited DABD in Dagenham to find out more about their services and why they play a vital role in our community. People may face barriers in life for several reasons – whether it’s disability (physical and sensory), unemployment, poverty, isolation, poor health and lack of work or training. DABD want to break down the barriers that can prevent people from living the life they would choose and encourage them to be as independent as they want to be.

‘Run 4 Life’ Charity Event

Run 4 Life is a platform for local charities across Barking and Dagenham to raise funds. The event will take place on Sunday 9th April where residents will run or walk 5km or 10km for their chosen charity or community group. The event will start at Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club on Victoria Road, Dagenham, RM10 7XL from 8am on the day.

Rainham Hall

Recently, Jon Cruddas MP for Dagenham and Rainham sent his Havering Coordinator Fay Hough to visit Rainham Hall to explore the grounds following their major conservation and interpretation project from October 2015. This charming early eighteenth century house is nestled in the heart of Rainham village on the far eastern fringes of London. With engaging installations and changing exhibitions, there is something for all ages. Rainham Hall has been home to a richly diverse cast of characters.

‘Charity Walk for Peace’ Debuts in Parliament with Half a Million Pounds in Donations

Half a million pounds raised in the Charity Walk for Peace was given to a range of British charities at a special reception in the House of Commons. The event was co-hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association (AMEA) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the Terrace Pavilion in the House of Commons. 

The funds were raised primarily at the ‘Charity Walk For Peace’ walk held earlier in the year where over 2,500 people participated in the Royal Docks area of London.

Local MP supports call for foodbank DWP hotline

Foodbanks call for direct DWP hotline, as new figures show half a million emergency food parcels distributed by Trussell Trust foodbanks in six months.

  • More than 500,000 three day emergency food parcels distributed to people in crisis in first half of the year – over 188,500 to children
  • Issues with benefits account for 44 per cent of all referrals
  • Charity calls for foodbank telephone ‘hotline’ to local Job Centres to support people in crisis more quickly and efficiently, reducing negative impact on mental wellbeing

The Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund is the biggest community funder in the UK. They are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and fund 13,000 projects every year. Most of their grants are small – £10,000 or less – but they transform communities and change millions of lives every year. Since June 2004 they have awarded over £9 billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to supporting older people facing isolation.

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