New funding will support the physical and mental wellbeing of local communities
The London Marathon Charitable Trust (now the London Marathon Foundation) has today announced that funding of more than £240,000 has been awarded to eight projects in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, to support the physical and mental wellbeing of local communities through sports and physical activity.
The funding comes from the charity’s Active Communities Fund, which aims to increase physical activity among communities facing the biggest barriers to leading active lives. Barking and Dagenham is the fund’s first focus area, as its vibrant community sector has not previously been reached by the charity’s funding and has high levels of physical inactivity compared to other parts of the capital.
The Active Communities Fund will support projects run by local organisations that have strong relationships with their communities. The eight funded projects in Barking and Dagenham include a new Interfaith Walking Group (delivered by The Faith & Belief Forum); supporting the running costs of John Smith House so it can be used for sport and physical activity (delivered by a collaboration of organisations led by Future MOLDS Communities); a range of fitness and wellbeing activities for children, teens and families (delivered by Youth Spot Bar C.I.C and Make Your Mark) and football, cricket and fitness sessions for primary-aged children less likely to be active (delivered by Ekota Academy Ltd).
Catherine Anderson, Executive Director at The London Marathon Charitable Trust (now the London Marathon Foundation), said: “At the heart of our Active Communities Fund is recognising the importance of local organisations and the fantastic work they do to inspire activity within their communities.
“Through funding a range of local projects in Barking and Dagenham, we hope more people will have many more opportunities to be active, supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across the borough.”
Jessica Hazrati, Programmes Coordinator at The Faith & Belief Forum, said: “We are delighted to have secured funding for a new Interfaith Walking Group, which will bring community groups together to reconnect after a difficult two years – building connections with each other and with local nature spots along the way too.”
Sarah Robertson, Managing Director at Future MOLDS Communities, said: “We are so excited to be awarded this funding. We know we are a deprived borough, we know we need to be more physically active, and this will help to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community using their lived experience to future impact change.”
Amanda Dawes, Creative Director at Youth Spot Bar C.I.C., said: “A happy healthy body creates a happy, healthy mind. Through sports, healthy eating, fitness and enriching and creative arts, we aim to provide our local community an opportunity to explore activities they wouldn’t usually be able to discover, by reducing barriers to participation.”
Sultana Rahman, Chair of Ekota Academy, said: “We are always looking at ways we can deliver opportunities for the young people and community we work with, and this project in partnership with The London Marathon Charitable Trust (now the London Marathon Foundation) is perfect in allowing us to give access to activities that are not always available, and which are even more important in this current climate.”
About the funded projects
- Activities for Children and Young People in Barking and Dagenham (£58,500): A collaboration of nine community organisations led by Future MOLDS Communities, delivering a range of sports and physical activities including yoga, boxing, carnival dance and basketball for children and young people.
- John Smith House Consortium Project (£50,000): A collaboration of 11 community organisations led by Future MOLDS Communities, supporting the running costs of John Smith House, providing an indoor space for sports and physical activity.
- Thames Ward Community Project (£35,000): A collaboration of four community organisations, delivering sports and activities for the local community, including gardening, girls’ football and Zumba, and capacity building to support the sustainability of these organisations.
- Diversion, inspiration and participation at Ekota Academy (£20,000): Supporting primary-aged children who are less likely to be active to take part in a range of sports and fitness activities, including cricket and football at Ekota Academy.
- Stay Well, Stay Safe with The Independent Living Agency (£25,000): Launching a walking club and inclusive cooking sessions for local residents with mental health needs and learning difficulties, organised by The Independent Living Agency.
- Walking Together in Barking and Dagenham with The Faith & Belief Forum (£20,000): Creating the Interfaith Walking Group, organising local walks to bring together community groups of diverse faiths and religions.
- Smoothie Splash bar (Streetball & Arts Youth Spot Bar) (£14,340): A collaboration between Youth Spot Bar and Make Your Mark to develop healthy living habits for children, teens and families through a range of fitness, physical activity, wellbeing and arts and crafts activities.
- Keep It Moving (£10,300): A collaboration of three community organisations led by Mercurial Sports Limited, engaging parents and young children in dance, yoga and health and wellbeing workshops.
Note: Updated in March 2023 with references to the London Marathon Foundation’s new name.