City Bridge Trust The City of Corporation’s charity PO Box 270 Guildhall London, EC2P 2EJ

T: 020 7332 3710 E: [email protected] Investing W: www.citybridgetrust.org.uk in Londoners @CityBridgeTrust

Improving London’s environment London has some of the finest green spaces in any major city. Nevertheless many areas suffer from an under-provision of open space and poor air quality. We fund environmental education that introduces Londoners to the value of conserving and improving the green environment and work that helps children to understand where their food comes from and its nutritional value. We can also provide voluntary and community organisations wishing to reduce their carbon footprint with a free eco-audit.

Making London safer Whilst overall levels of recorded crime involving violence in London have reduced, for some Londoners abuse and violence is a daily reality. Domestic violence, trafficking and hate crime are all of enduring concern, often disproportionately affecting some of the most vulnerable members of society. We fund specialist services supporting survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, as well as advice and advocacy services for victims of hate crime.

Strengthening London’s voluntary sector London’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations play a vital role in delivering services to vulnerable and marginalised groups. The current operating climate is challenging for this sector with many organisations experiencing an increased demand for their services, reduced funding opportunities and a funding and regulatory framework that is increasingly complex and onerous. We fund second tier organisations that help the sector to build its capacity and become stronger.

Registered Charity 1035628 Our Investing in Londoners programmes Improving Londoners’ mental health 800 years ago Making London more inclusive One in four people will experience a mental health problem at Over 800 years ago Peter de Colechurch, some point in their lives and mental ill health is more prevalent We support work that helps to remove the physical and social in London than the rest of the UK. We fund specialist mental a priest and head of the Brethren barriers that prevent disabled people from participating fully in health services prioritising the mental health needs of those of , began to build the society, as well as work that helps them to live independently who are more vulnerable to mental ill health than others. first stone bridge across London’s river. and maintain choice and control in their lives. This remarkable undertaking was the Older Londoners Reducing poverty catalyst for the creation of Bridge Londoners in the 21st century can expect to live longer. Over the House Estates, whose sole trustee Although London is by far the richest part of the UK, working next 30 years London’s population of people aged over 80 is age poverty is increasing in the capital and child poverty in is the City of London Corporation. expected to rise by 40%, with the most significant growth in London is higher than the rest of England. Increasing numbers the 90-plus age group. We fund high quality services that of Londoners are living in poverty needing recourse to help older people maintain their independence and make The City Corporation’s expert management emergency food rations and debt advice services. We therefore informed choices about their lives. ensured that the charity was able to provide fund money, debt and housing advice by suitably accredited and maintain no fewer than four further organisations and work tackling food poverty. Resettlement and rehabilitation of offenders bridges – Blackfriars, , Re-offending rates amongst those released from custody Tower and Millennium Bridges. English for speakers of other languages remain a significant problem. Several factors contribute to an High quality English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) increased risk of re-offending, including homelessness, levels classes play a vital role in helping to develop a more cohesive of literacy, employability skills and issues around substance London as they help people to settle and access services, misuse. We fund work that helps to break the vicious cycle as well as reduce isolation. We fund ESOL classes for adults and which contributes to the successful resettlement 1995 up to Level 2. of ex-offenders. City Bridge Trust City Bridge Trust is the working name of the grant-making arm of Bridge House Estates and was set up in 1995. A cy-près scheme, approved by the Charity Commission, enables us to use funds surplus to our bridge requirements to make grants for charitable activity. This must benefit the inhabitants of London. We currently estimate that £15m per annum may be available for distribution, depending on bridge requirements.

Mission City Bridge Trust aims to address disadvantage by supporting charitable activity across through quality grant-making and related activities within clearly defined priorities.

Values These values are at the heart of our work: • Fairness • Inclusion • Independence