Young Westminster Foundation’s Helping Hands Programme has been developed to address the impact of serious youth violence in local communities. It creates opportunities for local interventions led by the voices of young people and community members who have been directly or indirectly impacted by violence. Working in collaboration with local youth clubs and partners, the programme gives communities ownership over creating innovative opportunities, building on the valuable work already being done to keep young people safe. Our Programme comprises three key areas: our Community Network, Community Fund and Community Capacity-Building offer for local community organisations and community leaders.

The Helping Hands Community Fund is a community-led grants initiative that will provide funding to organisations or individuals working in partnership with an organisation to deliver projects for young people and/or the local community. This will focus on opportunities that offer prevention and intervention for youth violence in the community.

The Fund has also been informed by a core group of local practitioners and residents. We have worked with this group over the past 18 months to hear how youth violence impacts the local community. Practitioners and residents are being  supported in developing interventions which address the impact of youth violence. Our previous funding round’s panel consisted of 9 community leaders and 2 young people representing the Helping Hands Youth Advisory Board.

Over the past two years our Community Panel have distributed a total of £80,000 funding 16 projects, 14 grassroots organisations and 2 resident applications. Find out more about the grantees.

This year we have a total of £90,000 available, for grants up to £5,000. This funding has been made available through contributions from Westminster City Council, London’s Violence Reduction Unit and Young Westminster Foundation.

Who can apply?

Organisations who are already delivering a service in Westminster.

Organisations who are looking to deliver pilot projects in the community.

Individuals with a community guarantor who can govern the project can apply. They must secure a community guarantor and submit a signed community guarantor agreement.

Geographical Area of Benefit

North Westminster Wards

Church Street, Westbourne, Harrow Road and Queen’s Park

South Westminster Wards

Pimlico North, Pimlico South and Vincent Square

How will funding decisions be made?

A panel made up of local community members, practitioners and residents will make the funding decisions, chaired by our local Community Leads

Size of available grants?

Grants of up to £5,000 are available

To book a funding surgery slot or you would like to contact the Programme Team, please email: helpinghands@youngwestminster.com

Key Documents

Community Fund – Guidance

Community Fund – Application Form

Community Fund – Community Guarantor Guidance and Agreement