Author: Oumayma Tuijri

A Hammersmith and Fulham care provider has re-opened its Community Grant scheme – a sum of money that could benefit any local group in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham working with older people or those living with a disability.   Bluebird Care opened its office almost six years ago in the local area, and ever since has been working hard to support other organisations across the district.   Soheila Amin, Managing Director, said: “As well as providing care & companionship services to people living in their own homes, Bluebird Care is passionate about supporting community projects and initiatives. So many neighbourhoods thrive because of volunteers who work tirelessly to run community groups, host events and provide services that benefit others. Much of this work involves supporting older people who, without regular coffee mornings, day-trips or lunch clubs, would be left isolated at home.”   The care provider is making available £250 to a community group or initiative that works with older people within the Borough. The group that can best demonstrate a need for additional support will be allocated the funds.   Bluebird Care is a local provider of care in the home. They specialise in working with customers who suffer from dementia, physical and learning disabilities, and work alongside their families, Social Services, GPs and Clinical Commissioning Groups to ensure each person receives the care they need.   Nathan Hartley is coordinating the scheme on behalf of Bluebird Care. He says support will be offered to the successful applicant to ensure older people get the most from their Community Grant: “The Bluebird Care Community Grant will also come with support and advice. We want to work with a local project that gives older people an opportunity to try something new and that will add benefit to their lives. Examples of the type of projects we are looking for could include gardening, leisure, recreational or musical activities.”   Bluebird Care Hammersmith & Fulham has already awarded two previous grants for £250 each, one to the Masbro Elders Project in Hammersmith, which works with older people to tackle loneliness and isolation, and the other to the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association.   For more details, and to receive an application form, email hartleypr@hotmail.co.uk  

Paul Hamlyn Foundation was established by Paul Hamlyn in 1987. Upon his death in 2001, he left most of his estate to the Foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. The Youth Fund supports organisations whose main purpose is about helping young people (aged 14-25) in the most precarious positions, where making the transition to adult independence is most challenging. The Fund supports organisations which work with young people experiencing disadvantage in a way that recognises and builds on their strengths and potential – we refer to this as an asset-based approach. Such approaches can include ‘strengths-based’, ‘advantaged thinking’, or ‘asset-based community development’ practices.   Organisations may be planning to grow their impact by: Replicating a programme or service Widening the reach of an idea or innovation Spreading a technology or skill Advancing policy or enhancing its implementation Influencing attitudes   The Fund will provide core funding to organisations within the youth sector and outside. This is a direct response to what we heard in our strategy consultation – that, in order to achieve greatest positive impact in the lives of young people, organisations need to achieve a balance of stability, continuity and flexibility. PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.   Click here to see more details.