Projects we've funded so far

We’re thrilled to announce the projects that have won community funding so far and details on how you can get involved in their exciting projects:

Community Fund 2022/23

Resident fast track community fund of up to £500

Platinum Jubilee Celebration
Back in April, we launched our Community Fund for The Big Jubilee Lunch celebrating Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June - and thanks to the funding, two of our schemes have celebrated the jubilee in style!

Ashton Court celebrated the jubilee on 31 May, and Rose Bush Court had their High Tea Party on 1 June. 

Rose Bush Court extended their invites to family and friends and our sister scheme Mary Webster House, with one resident from that scheme attending the celebration. 

• Pennethorne house
• Robert Morton house Jubilee event
• Rose bush court Jubilee event
• Ashton court Jubilee event

Other

• Gough Street  - Summer BBQ
• Pennethorne house - Garden
• Somers Town -  Salon
• MORA Burnet House scheme - Christmas party
• St Francis House – Revamp outside area

Round 4 - non-resident community fund of up to £2000

Supporting Victims of Crime

                                                                                                     
In round 4 of our community fund, we are funding Trauma Recovery Art Therapy Workshops where you will have a safe space to talk and express yourself with others while creating art as a healthy way to connect with the outside world. It's not always easy trying to make sense of the emotional and psychological challenges we may face so it is important to ‘just be’.

Here are a couple of quotes from two of our attendees:

“Coming to this workshop has changed my life”

“Through drawing and painting I have learnt ways to cope with my trauma and start to reconnect with the outside world ”.

Workshop sessions at:
Victoria Hall, 1-3 St John’s Rd, Harrow HA1 6QT
Sat 15th April 10-1pm
Sat 22nd April 10-1pm
Sat 29th April 10-1pm
Sat 13th May 10-12.30pm
Sat 20th May 10-1pm
Sat 27th May 10-1pm
 
All art kits, refreshments and snacks are provided free of charge. They have limited spaces so to avoid disappointment please book your place by contacting: tracey.hanson@thejoshhansontrust.org

Round 2 - non-resident community fund of up to £2000

Daniel's Den 

Daniel’s Den is a local children and family charity primarily based in the London borough of Brent.  They believe that through supporting families we build community. 

Daniel’s Den are proud recipients of the Origin Housing Community Fund who have sponsored their Parent and Toddler Group in The Lewinson Centre. 165-167 High Road, Willesden, NW10 2SG.  This Parent and Toddler group will run every Monday term time only.  They welcome all local Origin Housing residents with children under 5 to attend. 
Here you will experience a safe and stimulating place to play with your baby/toddler and receive implicit and explicit parenting support … and grab a hot drink you can actually drink without it getting cold!  Entry is free with an option to donate to the charity, but we do ask all users of our groups to register via our online form:  https://danielsden.org.uk/sessions/register-with-us/.  
 
Daniel’s Den have groups all over Brent and invite Origin Housing families to attend any other group convenient to their location.  You can find out more about our sites on our website: www.danielsden.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Support services in Hertfordshire 

Bereaved people living in Hertfordshire can access Cruse Bereavement Support services by ringing their helpline and leaving their names and telephone numbers. One of the helpline volunteers will ring the person back to offer advice and support. Some callers may just need one support call or may be signposted to other relevant services. Other callers may be put on our waiting list for ongoing telephone or zoom support which consists of up to six sessions provided by an assigned bereavement volunteer.
 
The support is entirely provided by volunteers who have completed the Cruse Bereavement Support Foundation and safeguarding courses, been interviewed and DBS checked. They are supervised regularly whilst they are part of the organisation.
 
In addition groups are offered in some parts of the county where bereaved people can meet and talk to other bereaved people. Children and young people are supported by specially trained volunteers who can work with them at school, at home, online or on the phone according to their circumstances.

Find out more: Home - Cruse Bereavement Support

Helpline number 01707 278389
Monday -Friday  9am-5pm
 

Community Fund 2021/22

Resident fast track  community fund of up to £50

• Dickenson Way residents
• Robert Morton House
• Climate Group
• Blakeney House
• Somers Town History Club
• Holsworthy Square Residents Association
• York Rise Hall

Round 4  - non-resident  community fund of up to £2000

Wood that works

Wood that works  is a community enterprise providing a creative space for people of all backgrounds and ages to learn a range of traditional carpentry skills. 

Hidden within the Whittington Estate overlooking Highgate cemetery, their workshop is a peaceful, safe environment where they welcome all to come and enjoy the benefits of working with wood.  

Find out more: Hello | Woodthatworks (woodthatworkscic.com)

Urban Community Project

Urban Community Projects is a charity WITH and FOR local people. They empower people to create, inspire and build new opportunities for each other. Working closely with voluntary sector partners and community groups to provide a wide range of activities, which target the most in need in our local community. Their mission has always been to empower local people, giving them the tools to work together to resolve issues of common concern and break down any barriers they are faced with. Their ultimate goal is helping them to make stronger communities.

Find out more: URBAN COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Round 3  - non-resident  community fund of up to £2000

Herts school Outreach (HSO)

Herts Schools Outreach (HSO) aim is to provide children and young people with ongoing support using early intervention techniques to enhance and promote positive mental health change. The Phoenix programme is run in schools on a 1:1 or small group basis and works to equip children and young people with the skills to build on their success; the content of the sessions is targeted to the child or young person’s needs and the hurdles they may be experiencing in terms of their emotional wellbeing and overall mental health need. 
 
The team work collaboratively with both home and school environments to ensure that we are all working together to better the outcomes for our children and young people.
 
The Origin Housing funded Phoenix Programme will be running in The Grange Academy on London Road, in Bushey. If you would like to refer your child/young person to the support, please contact Michaela Johnson at admin@homesschoolsoutreach.org.uk

Find out more: HSO | Herts Schools Outreach | Hertfordshire | United Kingdom

Previous community fund projects

Holsworthy Square Resident Association

We’re funding this Camden-based resident group to transform their communal garden and get a bike rack installed in their communal area. Keep an eye out for the transformation pictures once their gardening project is underway in January!

Respect Through Sports

Respect through Sports is a community based organisation that that focuses on the development of children and young people’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing to help them develop skills that they can build on. They aim to improve their wellbeing by engaging children in sports and "life skills" workshops.  

We funded their  Sports Mentoring camp in Wembley for children aged 7-14. The camp involved over 14 different sports throughout the week as well as first aid, cooking and leadership workshops.

For more information about Respect Through Sports, visit www.respectthroughsports.com

Well Grounded

Well Grounded are a Community Interest Company based in King’s Cross who train vulnerable adults for careers in the coffee industry, and empowers them to go on to access better paid and more secure employment.

We’re funding their free six-week coffee sector training programme for 12 young people (aged 18 to 24) from Camden. It will focus on the parts of the sector which have thrived during the pandemic: trading, roasting, wholesale and consumer coffee subscriptions. Following training, you will access six-month work contracts with employers on the government’s Kickstart Scheme with ongoing support and training from Well Grounded. COVID-19 health & safety procedures and social distance guidelines will be in place throughout the programme.

The programme is completely free for successful candidates and dates for the next one will be announced soon. Whilst we wait for the dates to be confirmed, we can refer you to the programme so you will be kept in contact when the next programme is taking place.

If you’d like to be referred for this programme or would like more details, please email community.development@originhousing.org.uk.

Visit www.wellgroundedjobs.co.uk for more information about Well Grounded.

Camden United

Camden United are a volunteer youth-led organisation based in Camden who believe that football should be accessible for everyone regardless of the rising costs attached to it. They are run by young people for young people, with young people involved in every single aspect of the club.

We’re funding a project delivering free training by FA qualified coaches for 15 children aged 10 to 13 and 15 young adults aged 16 to 18 whilst also allowing them to enter leagues and play matches.  Our funding will also contribute to the cost of their men’s team matches for ages 16 to 25 to make taking part in football more affordable for them. The funding will also allow the Camden United volunteers to gain qualifications that are needed to ensure they are delivering sessions to the best of their ability. With these qualifications, coaches are able to seek further paid employment opportunities which will benefit them more long term.

 If you’re keen to get your children involved, please email the Community Development team at community.development@originhousing.org.uk  and they will forward your details to Camden United FC.

Deepin Dance –  Youth Realities

Youth Realities is a youth-led organisation based in Barnet on a mission to educate, empower and support young people to be happier, healthier and more resilient versions of themselves. Deepin Dance is a fun and empowering dance space for young women aged 12-25, delivered by Youth Realities in Barnet.  Watch our video of the Deepin Dance classes here!
 
The space also offers a range of support and opportunities to help young women learn, grow and develop. These include performance opportunities, educational workshops and training, for example their Peer Mentoring Programme which trains older members aged 16-25 as peer mentors, including CPD Child Protection Training, and matches them with younger mentees aged 12-15. This is empowering ‘big sister’ programme gives young women an opportunity to help others, whilst also building skills and increasing their resilience.
 
Youth Realities aims to address teenage relationship abuse through creative education on social issues impacting young women such as unhealthy relationships, sexual health, mental health and much more. They also offer one-to-one specialist support from trained Youth Support Workers to increase mental and physical wellbeing.  
 
To find out more about Youth Realities, visit: www.youthrealities.co.uk

Digital Access Partnership, Age UK Camden

We’ve funded AgeUK Camden to deliver a pilot digital inclusion project for older residents in Camden who have been identified as isolated and having few opportunities for social connection during the Covid-19 crisis. The project will support residents with equipment, skills and knowledge so they can benefit from digital services that can support their independence and wellbeing, such as online shopping, services and information, connecting with family and friends and engaging in hobbies online. 
 
Book Exchange (Somers Town)

This will be a book stall in Somers Town run by local community volunteers who are committed to sharing the written word with the community of Somers Town. The stall will sell low cost books at Chalton St Market on a Monday/Wednesday and in bad weather will relocate to outside The Living Centre on a Monday/Friday. As well as sourcing and selling new books at a low cost, they will run a book exchange where you can bring books to swap. 
 
Books will be for all ages and reading levels including a mix of factual, fiction and information leaflets, with a commitment to sourcing diverse authors and a wide selections of books at the stall.
The stall will also feature information about the local history of Somers Town.
 
Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages and the Living Centre for more updates on this project.

Maiona Coding

We’ve funded Maiona Coding’s introductory training course on languages for the Internet which includes classes on how to code, how to build a website or app, introduction to database and interview skills. This course covers JavaScript, HTML, SQL, CSS, web hosting and mobile app development. This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to develop computer coding skills which are in high demand and can lead to well-paid careers in tech and IT. By completing this training, you’ll be given the tools and resources to continue more learning and advice on how to enter the Tech and IT industry. Training consists of for 4 x two-hour sessions delivered online via Zoom video conferencing. This course is free for Origin residents. If you have any questions email: kareem.dayes@maiona.co.uk. 

If you don’t have access to a laptop/tablet or internet to complete this online course, we have a Digital Inclusion scheme which provides Chromebooks and internet data for residents to complete employment courses like this one. Click here to apply for our scheme.
 

Playskill 

Playskill is a local Watford charity that runs free parent and child playgroups for pre-school children (aged 1-5) with special physical needs or developmental delay, with support for parents and the whole family. At their groups, children and their families receive expert support from a Paediatric Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist. Playskill sessions use play as a tool for development – while the children are having fun, they are also learning to stand, eat, communicate and walk.
 
If your child is not achieving their physical milestones of sitting, standing and walking, Playskill are here to help - they will assess children and give input as necessary from age 1 to 5. Treatment and all services are completely free to families. With covid restrictions in place, they are offering a blend of remote and face-to-face therapy sessions. Remote sessions are via video conferencing, and face-to-face sessions strictly adhere to Government health and safety guidelines, with full PPE.
 
Our donation is supporting Playskill’s work for a term. Playskill are based in Watford and Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and welcome interest from residents living in Watford and Three Rivers, Dacorum, St Albans, Hertsmere, and other surrounding local areas. To register your interest, please visit www.playskill.org/contact-us or call on 01923 227 229 (please let Playskill know you are an Origin Housing resident when you register). To find out more about their work visit www.playskill.org

ProTouch SA

ProTouch was set up to help, support and encourage potential young, gifted and talented football players. As well as this, they support the communities they work in to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. We have funded ProTouch's weekly online sport sessions on Zoom for children ages 6-16 years old. The classes are active online sports and health wellbeing sessions consisting of 45mins with 15 mins Q&A/Quizzes. The sessions are split into Primary/Secondary age groups and Special Educational Needs and Disability targeted age groups (up to 25 years of age). The classes are free for our residents’ children to attend.

ProTouch offer plenty more opportunities for children and young people which our residents can get involved in. They also offer:

• Free sports packs – registered participants can request a sports pack to use to participate in the masterclasses. Packs will include a football, cones, water bottle, medal, note pad, pen, a We Stand for Equality t-shirt etc (sports packs are funded by Camden Giving and Westminster Council).
• Group sessions – ProTouch host a series of topical conversations about different issues impacting young people such as Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter. These topics are chosen and led by the young apprentices, volunteers or peer leaders
• Phone 1-2-1 check-in- registered participants have access to weekly 1-2-1 check-in sessions to discuss concerns they may be facing during this difficult period. 

ProTouch work in the following areas: Barnet, Camden, Lambeth, Southwark, Westminster

If you require any further information, please email info@protouchsa.co.uk  and to find out more about ProTouch's work, visit their website - www.protouchsa.co.uk

Film Skool 

We’ve funded Film Skool’s 3-month filmmaking course for young people aged 11-18 who live in the Barnet and Hertfordshire area, which gives them the opportunity to learn about the filmmaking process and gain valuable practical filmmaking skills. The course is free to Origin residents.
 
The young people will participate in five classroom-based sessions learning about the filmmaking process and writing and developing their screenplays. They will then be put into small groups of 5 or 6 and will all get the opportunity to write, direct, produce and edit their short films using professional filmmaking equipment. They will work with professional filmmakers during the post-production process, giving them the opportunity to learn from experts. Once the films have been completed, they will be screened at a Curzon cinema, where students can bring their parents/carers along and share the films with their local community. All students will get a special edition DVD of their film which they can use in their portfolio.

To find out more information, email montyalam187@hotmail.com or visit Film Skool’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/filmskool/

Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association (HRUA)

The Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association is a voluntary group of users of the park who organise free events in the Harrow ‘Rec’. 

We have funded their Music in the Park and Community Gardening where everyone is welcome to join in gardening, including beginners and experts!  HRUA has also offered  one year free HRUA Membership to Origin residents to make a difference by giving input of how to improve the park and also share in the free events.   

HRUA organises fun events. Planned for 2022 to 2023 are: Music in the Park; Festival of International Dance and Music; Kites & Bikes; Bug Hunt; Tree Walk; Fun Day; Dog Show. 

HRUA also volunteer with the Harrow Recreation Ground Community Gardeners and have created a beautiful Peace Garden. Everyone is welcome to join in gardening, including beginners and experts! Or just come and enjoy the Peace Garden. 

To register interest or for more information please contact Jane Galbraith, Chair of HRUA, on 07982 791 221 or j.galbraith@ucl.ac.uk .  To find out more about their work visit Harrow Recreation Ground Users Association  

Dickenson Way – Garden Overhaul Project 

We’re funding Origin residents based at Dickenson Way to overhaul their garden and create a nice seating area to give residents more places to chat and help build community further. The garden at will also benefit from lots more evergreen shrubs to ensure the garden can be used all year.  

Mary Webster House Community Project 

We’re funding some of our residents based at Mary Webster House to transform the communal garden by building their own bee and insect hotel and plant more seasonal plants and vegetables . This will re-establish tenant led activities like tea afternoons, arts & crafts sessions, knitting and much more. 

Fitzrovia Youth in Action
  
The Warren Cup is an established community football tournament organised by young people, for young people.

Disadvantaged young people in the borough are supported in planning a football tournament that gives them ownership of their football pitch (The Warren AstroTurf Pitch) and the responsibility to create safe environments for others to come into.

The tournament hosts football at its most grassroots level and encourages local young people to set up teams just for the event. The event takes place on Wednesday 31 May and there will be a free residents and teams BBQ, arts and crafts smoothie bike and music.
 
Ways that Origin housing residents can get involved are:

• Fixtures on the day
• Refereeing
• BBQ
• Help with event set up ad pack down
• Have a stall – Representing Origin Housing
• Help with arts & crafts and smoothie bikes
• Attend awareness workshops.
   

Celia Hammond  MCIOF  
FUNDRAISING MANAGER 
Fitzrovia Youth in Action 
celia.hammond@fya.org.uk

Fitzrovia Youth in Action
Basement, 66-68 Warren Street
London W1T 5NZ
 
www.fya.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1136697