We are pleased to announce the projects and groups that have been awarded grants through the latest round of Make it Happen, Islington Giving’s micro grants programme bringing into life many inspiring ideas in Islington.Â
ADHD Islington (supported by Help on Your Doorstep)– a community support group for parents and carers who have children with ADHD or are on the pathway to diagnosis. They run monthly sessions including skills and wellbeing workshops with guest speakers.
Bonnington Garden Group (supported by Help on Your Doorstep) – this communal space is an important sanctuary for residents on an estate that is in the heart of a heavily industrial and commercial area. The grant will further the opportunity for all residents to get involved in an estate based gardening project creating togetherness, neighbourly bonds and communication.
Clerkenwell Community Photography Competition (supported by The Peel Institute Company) – a local photography initiative encouraging all parts of the local community, including young people and older people, to give photography a try. The project aims to encourage residents to connect with the neighbourhood, connect with each other, and promote creativity, which has been proven to improve mental health.
Dipped In Creativity Engagement CIC – a free creative and enterprise project for young residents aged 16-25. The project will focus on bringing participants together at a local youth club in Islington, where they will engage in a range of creative expression and enterprise workshops focusing on increasing their mental health and well-being as well as their communication, confidence, and enterprise skills. Read our interview with CEO and Co-founder Aaliyah here.Â
Friends of Marriott Rd Association – a street party for the Coronation, bringing at least 150 people from the neighbourhood together, to share food, build friendships and have fun.
The Friends of Wray Crescent – a short, free programme of public yoga and Tai-Chi events in Wray Park over summer 2023, with accredited and insured trainers, also from the local area.
Go Africa Community Hub CIC: cultural cooking sessions – Go Africa is a social enterprise that tackles social issues on discrimination and prejudice of the African Diaspora through Art. The funding will go towards a summer cultural event in the Finsbury Park area, which aims to celebrate culture and support positive community engagement. The event will include cookery sessions and creative art workshops that will involve the local community, local youth club, and local artists.
Healthy Generations – led on applications for five local residential homes for the elderly that they work closely with: Ash Court, Brightwell Court, Hawberry Lodge, Minerva Lodge and Washington Court. Residents at each of the care homes identified activities that they would like to prioritise including coffee mornings, film nights and fish and chip suppers with the aim of connecting residents and supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.
Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods – a local social enterprise that proactively promotes healthier lifestyles and greater fitness amongst residents of all ages. The group will use the funding to pay for visits and refreshments to museums and other London wide attractions to help residents get out of the locality to experience and learn more through  social activities.
Life Chances – a joint project with another local community group (Aflah) that together support Ethiopian and Somali communities from refugee backgrounds. This project will give communities the opportunity to get together to share experiences, connect for mutual support, share traditional foods, and enhance their overall health and happiness.
Whitecross Coronation Street Party (supported by Living as Learning CIC) – led by a group of Whitecross residents to organise an inclusive community event for the King’s Coronation, including events, games, food and music with the aim of promoting resident wellbeing and positive mental health , community cohesion and, togetherness, .
Make-Do Play CIC – a community play project which offers informal child-led  playgroup sessions. The project aims to make children and families healthier, happier and more connected and funding will cover some of their core costs.
Urban Forest Tribe CIC – a local initiative which aims to plant fruit trees on a local Peabody Estate in the north of the borough. Funding will contribute towards a launch event to plant fruit trees, providing equipment,  drinks, snacks and lots of open conversation, smiles and laughter.
Vibast Stay and Play – an inclusive group for child carers, including childminders and parents to come together, connect and share information. The grant will go towards play equipment, promotion and admin costs for their new Stay and Play project at the recently reopened VIBAST community centre in the south of the borough.
Wrayvens Women’s Football Club (supported by The Friends of Wray Crescent) – a local women’s football team that started during covid for women that have never played before. They train at Wray Crescent Park on a Sunday morning, and it is attended by the local women in the area. The initiative brings together local people, creates a sense of growth and achievement, and motivation to improve fitness.
Featured image: Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods
