Wimbledon Foundation Invests £600,000 In Improving Local Health And Wellbeing


Community groups in the area can now apply for grants from fund



The Wimbledon Foundation, the charity of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Championships, is offering funding of £600,000 to local charities to help support better mental and physical health of Merton and Wandsworth residents.

The Health & Wellbeing Fund, launched in 2015, is offering grants of up to £30,000 per annum for three years to charities and community organisations experienced in working with local health issues.

Applications are encouraged for projects which meet one or more of the Fund’s objectives: supporting better mental health through social or cultural activities; helping people take better care of their physical health; bringing families and communities together including those more at risk of isolation; and working with vulnerable groups. The total funds available to the scheme is £600,000 over three years.

The first round of funding from the Health & Wellbeing Fund supported eight projects across the two boroughs from 2015 to 2018. Merton-based Attic Theatre Company used their grant to run Attic Roots and Shoots, an arts programme designed to support older people, young refugees and asylum seekers, and disadvantaged young people.

Activities included the Going for a Song singing group helping prevent social isolation amongst the over 55s and drama workshops helping disadvantaged students with their confidence and communication skills.

Leonard Cheshire Disability Randall Close Resource Centre in Battersea was awarded funding for its Keep Warm, Keep Well project which seeks to prevent unnecessary winter deaths and tackle social exclusion faced by disabled and older people in the community. The project reached 3,000 people over the course of three years providing advice and practical items such as hats, blankets and heaters to help people stay warm in their homes.

Helen Parker, Foundation & Community Manager said: “Having seen the difference our existing Health & Wellbeing Fund partners have made in our local community, we are really pleased to be able to be relaunching our Health & Wellbeing Fund and increasing the total funding amount available. The Wimbledon Foundation is looking to support engaging and well-designed projects which we hope will have a positive and long-lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of our local community.”

Local charities or community interest companies (CICs) based in Merton or Wandsworth, which have been established for at least two years, are eligible to apply online by 12pm on November 9 2018.

The top picture shows Attic Theatre’s Going for a Song singing group, which aims to prevent social isolation amongst the over 55s.

Below, Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Keep Warm, Keep Well project has helped 3,000 local people over the last three years. 


September 18, 2018