The Building Communities Fund

The Building Communities Fund (previously named the Small Grants Fund) is delivered via the Team London Bridge BID levy, part of our wider Local Investment streams. The funding allocation has been in existence for over 18 years and recognises the important need to invest in community infrastructure in the borough of Southwark.

The grant consists of a limited annual pot dedicated to supporting projects focused on enhancing communities local to London Bridge or neighbouring areas.

Funding criteria in a nutshell:

The beneficiaries can belong to any age groups, and they should be Southwark residents. Priority will be given to projects or activities that are taking place locally to London Bridge or in neighbouring areas.

Funded projects must work in accordance with Team London Bridge's aim of supporting sustainable and thriving community places, while focusing on at least one of these areas of priority:

  • creativity, arts & physical wellbeing

  • nature & sustainability

  • employment, learning & upskilling

As part of our efforts to reflect the diversity of our Southwark community, we particularly encourage applications from black and minority ethnic groups.

 
 

Applications

CLOSED - applications for this fund will re-open early 2025.

Grants between £500 and £3000.

Click here for the new application guidelines.

Click here to download the new application form.

If successful, you will have to submit a project evaluation form at the end of the grant period, and you can request a copy in advance by emailing Sofia.

Not just a grant

Our commitment

  • Connections to our business network

  • One day free use of our events and meeting room, London Bridge Hive

  • Access to staff upskilling, training and events

  • A flexible approach to your needs (we stand with the sector pledge and IVAR Flexible Funder)

Your commitment

  • Ongoing communication with TLB

  • Proactive and keen to forge long term relationships with businesses

  • Once a year meeting with the TLB Task Group

Building Communities Fund current recipients (2024/25)

Team London Bridge are proudly supporting 11 organisations that work with Southwark residents this year, you can scroll to see their brief descriptions below.

Should you require more details, please get in touch with Sofia via sofia@teamlondonbridge.co.uk. 

 
 
Featured
CAD-HR
CAD-HR

Building Resilience Through Childminding

We support uneducated and unemployed migrant communities to become Ofsted registered childminders through training and ongoing support.

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Edible Rotherhithe
Edible Rotherhithe

Food growing and Forest School development at Surrey Square School

132 children across 3 terms will learn how to grow their own food, develop skills, caring for the natural environment using the Forest School approach to outdoor learning, which builds self-esteem and confidence, and improves the children’s health and wellbeing.

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Elmington Community Gardens
Elmington Community Gardens

Elmington Community Food Growing

Through free workshops and community gardening sessions we plant and maintain food growing sites around the estate. Fruit and vegetables are freely available for any member of the community to harvest as they desire.

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The Psychosynthesis Trust
The Psychosynthesis Trust

Exploring Anxiety Project

The project supports people experiencing anxiety to explore it through a relational approach, using nature and community. It enables people to have a greater understanding of their symptoms and how to manage them, whilst accessing the health benefits of being in nature at local community gardens or social farms in and around SE1.

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Ignite Hubs
Ignite Hubs

Creating Future Digital Whizzes in Southwark

Our project inspires and equips children and young people with valuable coding and STEM skills to access digital careers and be future ready.

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Lung Theatre
Lung Theatre

Across 24 performances and engagement activities at the Southwark Playhouse, audiences of over 4,100 people will experience the premiere of ‘The Children’s Inquiry’- a collaborative new musical co-created by looked after children. This bold project shines a light on a forgotten community, telling their stories in their own words.

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Power2
Power2

Teens and Toddlers

Teens and Toddlers empowers young people to become mentors and role models to younger children. Through this programme they improve their confidence which allows them to develop vital skills relevant to education and future employability, enhance their communication abilities, gain work experience and achieve a recognised qualification.

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Sculpt
Sculpt

Igniting Futures

Power Up is an employment support programme working with young people aged 14-16, experiencing significant socio-economic disadvantage. Through a six-week placement and continued follow up support we build essential skills, confidence and knowledge while challenging traditional stereotypes of what can be achieved and what is possible.

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PG Time Bank
PG Time Bank

Based on the Kingswood estate, Southwark, we bring people together to share time and skills. As an asset based approach we improve wellbeing. Our group activities support creativity and wellbeing whilst also building connections. The skill exchanges connect the community and enable people to coproduce services for and by themselves.

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Camberwell After School Project
Camberwell After School Project

Volunteering Work Experience Placement

This programme offers 12-week placements, 3 days a week, to 10 unemployed Southwark residents aged 18 and above. Participants will gain practical experience working with children aged 2 to 11 in a childcare setting, aimed at enhancing their employability prospects.

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The Purple Ladies
The Purple Ladies

Move Share & Exchange

This programme provides weekly physical and creative activities towards improving the well-being of residents living in and around the Cossall estate. It is followed by a social cafe offering a healthy home-cooked lunch and a skill exchange platform.

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