A wide variety of grants announced for Southwark's older people

Southwark Charities is pleased to announce grants that improve the wellbeing of Southwark’s older residents aged 55 plus.

Capacity building

Community Southwark – we are supporting the costs of The Older People’s Network which builds connections and collaboration between Southwark’s voluntary and community organisations that provide services and activities for older people; and to improve policy, practice and services for Southwark’s older residents. Our grant is also contributing to the 2023 Southwark Stars Award, where older volunteers contribution to Southwark’s vibrant communities will be honoured. To join the OPN click here

Time & Talents – our core grant is supporting the charity’s ongoing work with older people in Rotherhithe and Bermondsey, including its Neighbourhood Care service; volunteer befriending service for frail housebound older people; social support groups for those living with dementia and their carers, stroke survivors; and other social activities.

Arts

Art in the Park – the charity’s programme of workshops, and trips to local galleries and museums, for its Burgess Park older people’s art group, has been renewed until March 2024. We are also co-funding the charity’s arts and gardening workshops in Spring 2023 for Rose Court Rotherhithe Care Home residents with Rotherhithe Consolidated Charities.

Bermondsey Artists Group managing Southwark Park Galleries – we are supporting the costs of the Seniors Art School in 2023 – a series of workshops for over 55’s to learn to learn new art skills with a variety of contemporary artists in a sociable and relaxed setting.

Illuminated Arts CIC – Based in Peckham, Illuminated Arts is a Community Interest Company that engages communities with their social and cultural heritage through artistic projects and workshops and to showcase their stories and testimonies. The grant is supporting the costs of a ‘Stitching Communities’ textiles project which will work over 2 years, from September 2023, in 3 Southwark care homes – Lime Tree, Greenhive and St. Andrews (all in Peckham), and Bell House Dulwich culminating in an end of project fashion show.

Socials

Astley Cooper Tenants & Residents Association – our grant is contributing to the cost of a residential Summer 2023 trip (3 days and 2 nights) to Isle of Wight, and a day trip to Eastbourne, for older Estate residents.

Dockland Settlements and Ballers Academy – our small grant supported two community partners to take local older people on a trip to Brick Lane Music Hall in celebration of St Georges Day 2023.

Longfield Estate Tenants & Residents Association – our grant is suppoting the running costs of a weekly lunch club at Setchell & Longfield Hall in South Bermondsey.

MAN Elders Group – Our grant is supporting the costs of monthly social meetings for its Elders Group at the Camberwell mosque, while the Old Kent Road mosque and cultural centre is being redeveloped, and the costs of an Elders Group trip to Brighton.

Sports and Exercise

Keetons Estate Tenants & Residents Association – our grant is supporting the costs of running a weekly yoga session for older Estate residents in Bermondsey every week for six months followed by refreshments.

Millwall Community Trust – our grant is supporting weekly walking football and sports sessions for local older people at two venues – The Lions Centre, Millwall F.C. and St Paul’s Sports Ground, Rotherhithe – for 1 year.

Click here for details of these and other current and recent grants.

Matthew Allgood, Grants Manager, Southwark Charities said:

We are delighted to fund the capacity of community services and networks that benefit Southwark’s older residents, as well as regular arts, exercise, sports and social activities for those aged 55 plus.

Charities and community groups working for the wellbeing of older Southwark residents (55+) are welcome to discuss their ideas, proposals and plans with us. Tel: 020 7593 2000 Email: grants@southwarkcharities.org.uk