We are delighted to announce 16 projects have been supported under this year’s Helping Hands Community Fund.
This community-led grants initiative focuses on opportunities that offer prevention and intervention for youth violence in the community with funding from Westminster City Council and the London Violence Reduction Unit.
Helping Hands relies on the involvement of local community leaders, partners, residents and young people, who have been involved at every stage – from sharing their views on local needs and priorities, through to making the decisions about which projects should be awarded funds.
This year’s grants panel was co-Chaired by our Helping Hands Programme Lead, Marium, alongside Rochana, one of our Youth Associates. Rochana shared, “it was fun chairing. It allowed me to see what goes into funding different projects, especially with people who’ve watched me grow up.”
Together with the other members of the local grants panel they awarded funding for a total of 16 projects to build positive pathways for young people and address the risk factors that contribute to serious youth violence.
These projects will help to strengthen trusted relationships, expand access to safe spaces and create opportunities. They provide tailored support around education, wellbeing, and early intervention. Collectively, the grants are designed to empower communities, grow skills and confidence, and create sustainable, protective networks that help young people to thrive.
Funded projects for 2026:
Ambito Tuition Services: academic and vocational support for 8 young people (aged 10-18) at risk of becoming NEET. The project includes tutoring, literacy/numeracy workshops, and financial literacy sessions delivered in partnership with Avenues Youth Project.
Be A Miracle x Mothers Against Guns: A 12-week violence prevention programme for 15–20 young people. The first half focuses on conflict resolution and de-escalation skills, while the second half utilises creative arts (music, drama) to explore identity and process trauma.
Caxton Youth Organisation: 12 months of specialist, in-person youth work targeting SEND young people (aged 11-25) in North Pimlico. The project includes 1:1 and group education on youth violence, a music programme, and social action campaigns to increase safety and independence.
Friday Family Zone: a weekly Friday evening drop-in session in Queen’s Park for children (5-14) and their parents. It provides a safe space for play, socialising, and informal support to keep children off the streets during peak times.
Happy Lizzy Event Planning: a weekly Girlzown club at Brunel Happy Hub for 20–30 girls aged 11–16. Activities include skills workshops, mentoring, cooking, and beauty sessions designed to boost confidence and provide a safe alternative to street environments.
Hanane Hmidache: a 10-week programme for families in Church Street, involving 20 adults and 30 children. It runs simultaneous activities – boxing/sports for kids and social support/discussions for mothers – plus two family trips.
Harrow Road Soup Kitchen: An 8-week music project for 12 young people to write, record, and release a joint EP. The project teaches lyric writing, production, branding, and music business skills to provide creative career pathways.
Khadys Dream CIC: a youth-led storytelling and filmmaking project for 15–25 young people. Participants will learn scriptwriting and editing to produce a short film addressing the impact of serious youth violence in their community.
MBS Centre: a programme for 30 young people combining football sessions with mediation workshops. It aims to bring youth from different areas together to resolve conflict and reduce neighbourhood tensions.
Next Phase Sports: a 12-week programme for 12–16 young people combining gym-based boxing/exercise with employability workshops and a careers event featuring employers from the leisure sector.
Noise Makerz: a technical training course for 10 young people (13-19) teaching live sound, video production, and streaming skills in a studio setting to prepare them for careers in the AV industry.
Outbreak: A mentorship and fitness programme for 40–45 young people (aged 11–18) struggling with school attendance or mental health. It combines gym-based physical activity with group workshops on emotional regulation and 1:1 support.
Pimlico Angels: A support initiative for parents whose children are involved in or affected by youth violence. The project involves bi-weekly coffee morning sessions to provide a safe space, peer support, and access to external advice (e.g., gangs units, children’s services).
Solution Focused World: training for 50 professionals and 100 young people on child financial exploitation, including money mule scams and fraud.
Treasure Sports Club: a 26-week programme for 50 young people in Church Street. It combines non-contact boxing with financial literacy education (budgeting, saving) to build discipline and life skills.
Westbourne Park Family Centre: a weekly support group for 60 parents to discuss issues like gangs, exploitation, and digital safety. It includes sessions with police and specialist agencies to build trust and knowledge.
