Six local projects have been funded through the latest round of We Make Camden Kit. The initiative was launched last year from a new partnership between Camden Giving and Camden Council and is being supported in the north of the borough by Landsec, owners of the O2 Centre on Finchley Road. There’s still time for residents and charities to apply for funding through the scheme, as the hunt for the next big idea to help make a difference continues.

The We Make Camden Kit provide funding for residents looking to help their communities. A panel of ten citizens allocate £2,000 grants to support residents in taking action to progress Camden’s We Make Camden Missions’: Food poverty and sustainability; diversity in positions of power; health and sustainability of estates and opportunities for young people.

So far, six projects from north Camden have received funding through Landsec’s involvement in the scheme: Eclipse football club, Cooperation Town, Ukrainian Women in Camden, Maestro and Hunter Football Club, Hampstead Classical Library, and the Somali Community Centre.

As part of Camden’s mission to create sustainable neighborhoods, Cooperation Town, an organisation that works closely with residents on low incomes, have launched a community gardens and are looking to expand. The funding will be used to increase participation in Cooperation Town’s community garden and launch their community launderette, both of which are run by residents.

Meanwhile, Maestro and Hunter Football Club are creating opportunities for young people by making sport more accessible. The club’s founder Georgia Wright decided to act after noticing a gap in the provision of recreational activities for underrepresented groups. The new team will be open to [anyone/ boys/ girls aged 7– 14] and the funding will be used to purchase equipment, provide training and help promote healthy life choices.

In total, Landsec will provide funding for ten projects a year until 2025. Recipients can additionally receive support with insurance, safeguarding and connections to make their ideas a success.

Residents, charities, and community organisations surrounding the O2 Centre on Finchley Road, including Swiss cottage, Hampstead, and Kilburn, are encouraged to apply for a grant using the online form. Recipients will be chosen by Camden Giving’s independent panel of ten local people, with funding awarded to one project per month.

Rebecca Ruddle, Centre Director at the O2 Centre said: “Throughout our consultation on the future of the O2 Centre, we’ve seen how passionate, excited and ambitious people are about their local community. So, we’re partnering with Camden Giving to provide funding for the great ideas and initiatives that local people want to bring to life and, in turn, helping to address some of the key issues facing our community today.”
Natasha Friend, Director at Camden Giving said: “The local response to our We Make Camden Kit to date really highlights the strength of our communities and I’m constantly blown away by the variety of new ideas people bring to the table. The projects we’ve funded have already created a significant amount of value so I’m thrilled that even more people will be able to benefit from funding. Partnering with Landsec will allow us to significantly expand our We Make Camden Kit, meaning that an even greater number of people can be empowered to shape the future of the Borough.”