£1.2M Grenfell Projects Fund: Vote opens for North Kensington residents
Second round of funding helps to support the community as part of the Grenfell recovery
Last updated 2nd Mar 2022
A public vote is opening in North Kensington to support local projects for the second round of the Grenfell Projects Fund.
The vote will decide which local projects supporting those affected by the Grenfell tragedy will win a portion of the £1.2 million funding total.
It was set up by Kensington and Chelsea Council as part of the Grenfell recovery strategy, to help support the community rebuild and recover after the incident.
Grenfell Project Fund 2
Residents of North Kensington are able to vote to decide which receive funding online from the 21st February to 1st March.
They will view and score applicant video presentations. The scores will then be combined with the resident-led panel and council’s Grenfell community team to determine how the funding is distributed.
This round has been co-designed by a resident-led panel, volunteers from the across the area to ensure recovery, education and wellbeing is at the centre of the funding process.
There is a pot of £600K available for projects that directly support residents in North Kensington’s seven wards: Colville, Notting Dale, Dalgarno, St Helens, Pembridge, Golborne and Norland.
An extra £600K is available for experienced providers who have the potential to increase capacity and deliver their project over three years.
Councillor Emma Will tells us, “We’re also running a community assembly.
“Resident safety is a top priority for us, it will allow residents to speak opening with us about the community safety issues affecting them.
“Giving us valuable insight into their needs and highlighting how we can further support North-Kensington’s community-led recovery.”
Grenfell Project Fund 1
The first round of funding took place in 2020, after the Grenfell tragedy in 2017.
It was introduced as part of the council’s five-year ‘Grenfell Recovery Strategy’, this year is the third year of the strategy.
The pot of £678K was invested into 56 local projects supporting wellbeing, education, social and cultural events, community safety, activities for young people and the environment.
Some of the winners included youth clubs, sports and exercise opportunities, a film club for families and older residents and various workshops for young people.
A plant for every home
Robert Halbert-Pereno was a winner of the first round of funding, a gardener from Lancaster West Estate.
He used the funding to provide a plant for every home on estate, helping residents come together over their love of gardening.
Passionate about caring for the community and looking after it, he uses upcycling to make home for plants.
He tells us he was in a low place in his life, and used the opportunity to turn his life around, help others and the environment.
“Having a plant in your home is a powerful thing, it’s helped the community with communication, keeping in touch about something we all share.
“All the projects have brought a sense of joy and fun to the residents since the incident.
“It’s taught me that your community is your family, it’s really brought people together.
“Out of tragedy it’s brought something positive, helping others is empowering and the Grenfell project has that at its heart.”