Linus ReesFitzrovia Community Centre (FCC) in Foley Street has been awarded a grant from Camden Council to deliver projects to support residents who are most impacted by the rising cost of living.
In November 2023 the council agreed a Cost of Living Community Response Fund of £450,000 from the Local Community Infrastructure Levy, the Family Crisis Fund and other Council budgets. £50,000 of this has been ringfenced for community launderette projects.
The council invited voluntary and community organisations across the borough to form partnerships, and for a “lead organisation” from each partnership to make a grant application.
FCC is one of 31 lead organisations to receive an award of between £5,000 and £30,000 from the fund.
The grant of £12,500 to FCC is for the development of practical, community-led solutions that improve the well-being and household finances of local residents.
“The project will run for six months, and we will be working in partnership with Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association and Connecting Boroughs,” says Donna Yay, director of FCC.
“FCC will be running monthly events called RRRRepair — the 4 Rs standing for Repair, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle,” says Yay.
“Once a month on a Sunday afternoon, we will offer different ‘stations’ staffed by skilled local volunteers to teach people how to mend clothes, fix bikes, repair small electricals, etc.
“Our first event will be held in June and we are looking for volunteers. We want people who have a skill to share, are passionate about saving the planet and can give us a couple of hours on a Sunday.
“They don’t have to be available for every event, but we would ideally like some continuity. We are particularly keen on reaching men.”
The grant will also allow Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association to hold an additional weekly, face-to-face advice session at FCC, giving residents support on claiming welfare benefits, housing, fuel poverty, and help to fill in the sometimes complex forms in order to get financial help.
Connecting Boroughs will be helping people with essential life skills and tasks, such as using online services, understand their bills, and how to shop around for cheaper utilities.
“It will be volunteer run, under the umbrella of FCC, in case anyone is concerned about sharing personal details with strangers. We will DBS check and find them training. They will be able to make referrals to other agencies, eg, debt advice, employment advice, etc.
“It’s a preventative service to help people keep on top of issues before they get out of hand. Volunteers are multilingual,” says Yay.
“The project is funded by Camden, but as the community for the whole of Fitzrovia, we don’t turn people away. Similarly, Camden residents can access anything that Westminster funds. We focus the promotion of the project in whichever area it is targeting,” she says.
Anyone interested in finding out more, or volunteering with Fitzrovia Community Centre to help with the project, should email [email protected] or call 020 7580 8680 or drop by one day during office hours at Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, London W1W 6DL.
Camden Council, decision: Cost of Living Community Response Fund 2023-24.
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