Working in partnership Islington Council’s Community Chest Annual Review April 2015 - March 2016 Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz It has been another immensely rewarding year being chair of Islington Council’s Community Chest. With over a hundred applications, it’s heartening to see what a strong grassroots support network there is in the borough. Currently, welfare reform and cuts to all aspects of social services – as well as schools, health, police and a huge percentage of the council budget - continue to pile on, making the lives of Islington residents increasingly difficult. We recognise the importance of community groups in sustaining all corners of our community and I am incredibly proud that Islington Council and Cripplegate acknowledge the need to protect the Community Chest. The applications received reflect what a diverse borough we live in and that we are a place where people are in tune with the current challenges but want to be key to creating the solutions. Nationally, much discussion on the increase of isolation and loneliness is being had; it’s great to see that 44% of the applications are people trying to reduce isolation and increase involvement in the community. I want to thank all the panel members for their thoughtful consideration of all the applications and the staff of Cripplegate and the council for all their support. Introduction Islington Council’s Community Chest exists to support small organisations that, with local knowledge and reach, make a big difference to local residents. Islington Council’s Community Chest provides small organisations with grants of up to £5,000. Priority is given to organisations that have an annual turnover of less than £50,000 and work with people who are experiencing poverty and / or isolation. There are three application rounds a year supporting a wide range of projects, reaching out to a diverse mix of Islington residents who typically do not access services or who have limited social networks. Who Islington Council’s Community Chest reached 106 community groups applied to Islington Council’s Community Chest in 2015-16 57 community groups (52% of applicants) were awarded funding, totalling grants of just over £222,784 16 (28%) of the 57 funded groups were new to Islington Council’s Community Chest 18 (32%) of the 57 funded groups have received 5 or more grants Funded projects supported almost 26,000 Islington residents and enabled over 1,100 local people to volunteer. Islington Council’s Community Chest actively seeks to fund projects that as a whole are inclusive of all people regardless of their age, culture, disabilities, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, race, religion, and sexual orientation. Funded groups are often staffed or heavily reliant on volunteers. These are local people dedicated to improving their local communities and reaching people in need. Islington Council’s Community Chest is a partnership small grants programme between Islington Council and Cripplegate Foundation. Applications to the fund are considered by a Panel made up of Islington Councillors, Cripplegate Foundation Governors and members of the Islington Community Network. Groups can apply under 5 themes which have been designed to address issues facing local residents and contribute to local priorities: Advice and support Improving the local environment and making communities safer Reducing isolation and increasing involvement in the community Educating people and improving their skills and employability Improving mental and physical health Combating isolation is a strong focus for Islington Council’s Community Chest funding. In 2015-16 44% of grants were to projects which help residents to reduce isolation and this year’s Islington Council Community Chest annual report highlights how this funding has helped connect people in the borough who, for a variety of reasons, are often excluded from local opportunities. In particular, funding has helped connect people to activities and wider services as well as to other residents. The chart below illustrates the breakdown of successful applicants by theme in 2015-2016. Breakdown of funded groups by theme 9% 17% Educate people and improve their skills and employability 23% 7% Improve the local environment and make communities safer Reduce isolation and increase people’s involvement in the community Improve people’s mental and/or physical health Advise and support people 44% Success stories – in the words of the people we reached out to in 2015-16 Below Islington residents describe the difference that our Community Chest funding has made to their lives. Reducing isolation This really is the highlight of my week. I have a good “ “dance and sing every Monday. Healthy Generations Tea Dance participant Since my husband’s passing my family at Packington Line “ Dance Club gave me phone calls that reminded me even 72 isolated people from though John was gone I was not alone and I will always various backgrounds have “ be welcome. “been assisted to take part Packington Line Dance Club member in activities and training courses, these improved their skills and confidence “ enabling more people to become independent. Community Language Support Services I loved your songs today. I’ve been diagnosed with early “ stage dementia and I’ve been feeling so depressed. But “you’ve given me hope... Healthy Generations participant …coming here I have made friends, we have coffee and lunch outside of the group. We lend each other books “ and the group feels very connected. Before I came here I “would just stay indoors. The group has had a springboard effect and I’m now motivated to do other things…” Participant, Girdlestone 3rd Age Art Group This is the first time I have enjoyed my food since I “ “had the stroke. A new member of the South Islington Stroke Club Gina’s story Gina suffered a stroke two years ago, aged 58, and started attending South Islington Stroke Club “18 months ago. She says: “I wanted to meet other people and resume social life after the stroke. I found meeting new people difficult, especially in a large group. The project offered me the opportunity to meet people in a small and friendly environment. I needed the club to enable me to get out of the house, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone out and I would have been indoors all the time. “ “The Stroke Association’s Islington Stroke Navigator told me about the club and referred me. I came with my daughter at first, then I came on the coach provided to take me to the club (Islington Community Transport). I look forward to coming every week - a reason to get out of bed and go out. I feel more confident, a lot better than I was though still affected by stroke.” Healthy Generations started out life as Music for People. Initially focusing on bringing joy to the lives of isolated older people through music, they deliver Tea “Dances and sing-a-longs across a range of venues in Islington including libraries, care homes and day centres. These activities remain at the core of what Healthy Generations delivers, and at super hero levels – 120 sessions per month at the last count, reaching all corners of the borough in their quest to offer a shot of happiness to some of Islington’s most isolated residents. Recognising that what they were doing was also having a positive impact on people’s health, Healthy Generations has evolved and expanded their offer to encompass a wider focus on health and wellbeing – leading to the name change that more accurately reflects their impact. Healthy Generations now delivers a groundbreaking exercise programme to improve bone density for older people with, or at risk from developing osteoporosis. True to their name, Healthy Generations are helping Islington’s older generation live more healthy, less isolated lives. Healthy Generations are keen to point to the role Islington Council’s Community Chest has had in helping them get off the ground and progress, helping to give them “the flexibility to explore new avenues.” So often the first grant for newly established organisations, Islington Council’s Community Chest helps to test new approaches or meet gaps in existing provision. Healthy “ Generations acts as a great case-study of how Islington Council’s Community Chest can provide a first step towards a successful future – marked most recently by an award of a four year Islington Council Voluntary Sector Grant. Isolation can take many forms. The case-study below documents how a small self-help group for people recovering from alcohol and drug addictions has a big impact. The Eagle Recovery Project uses a full weekly programme of activities to tackle isolation and in the process helps to keep minds and bodies active – recognising that the need to stay busy while providing meaning to people’s lives is vital in preventing relapse. Eagle Recovery is a small self-help group offering a weekly social drop-in service on Wednesday evenings. It provides an informal space where people can grab a bite to eat, play “games and undertake therapeutic treatments including massage and yoga. Eagle Recovery understands the importance of staying active and providing peer support for those recovering from addictions. Support at weekends is especially important when there is less on offer and the temptation of old habits can be strongest. As a result, Eagle Recovery has expanded the days that they are able to offer support and activities from the initial Wednesday drop-in to encompass Tuesdays (badminton at Sobell Leisure Centre), Thursdays (focusing on taster learning sessions that aim to get people to begin thinking about steps that might help them play a more fulfilling role in society including volunteering, training and employment) and Sundays (badminton at the Sobell again!). They also offer a monthly Saturday BBQ for the whole family – recognising, and meeting, the need for families to be integrated into a person’s recovery.