11 new community projects in the area are to benefit from a share of £30,000 from the second round of the Brent Cross South Community Fund.

Launched in May 2020 for its second year, the Fund has focused on supporting local initiatives which are working to respond directly to the impact of COVID-19 in the communities in and around the regeneration area.

The 11 projects selected incorporate a wide range of activities and initiatives, ranging from a scheme set up to provide socially distanced physical activities for children on the West Hendon Estate over the summer holidays, an outdoor nature engagement and wellbeing programme at Clitterhouse Farm, as well as a project set up by the Barnet African Caribbean Association to improve digital inclusion for older people in its community.

In total the panel received 55 applications for funding and, once again, were extremely impressed by the level of dedication and creativity the applicants demonstrated to support some of the most vulnerable groups in their communities and improve their environment in the wake of COVID-19.

The Fund, which is being delivered by independent organisation Semble, offered grants of up to £3,000 for projects located in, and just outside, the wards of Golders Green, Childs Hill and West Hendon, neighbouring the Brent Cross South development. Entries were judged on their ability to reflect the ambition for the new town centre to be an inclusive, people-first place which strives to be healthy and sustainable.

The successful applications and their projects are as follows:

The Childs Hill Foodbank – a new foodbank being set up in Childs Hill, a ward in which 17% of children living there come from income deprived families and 17% of those aged over 60 experience income deprivation.

West Hendon Covid-19 Detached Summer Youth Provision, F.U.S.E – a programme offering socially distanced physical activity and free meals over the summer holidays to children on the West Hendon Estate.

Camp Simcha – a scheme that supports Jewish families with seriously ill children, providing hospital transport, crisis meal packages and activities for young children, giving powerful positive experiences to improve quality of life.

St Agnes Counselling Service – a local primary school based in the highest deprivation quintile is looking to boost emotional health and well-being for its students with a counselling service.

Kef Kids Covid Support – a group which provides fun lockdown suitable activities for children and young adults with special needs in North West London.

Childs Hill Library Open Day and Volunteer Celebration – an event to mark the reopening of the library and celebrate its volunteers and commemorate the impact that COVID-19 has had on the community.

People and Nature Thrive Together – a local project held at Clitterhouse Farm running 22 fun outdoor nature engagement wellbeing sessions.

Apache Kids Club – a Friday afterschool club the Fund supported last year is looking to continue their BXS Community Fund 2019 project to provide a free games, arts and craft activity space to local children.

BACA Older Person’s Outreach – a programme by Barnet African Caribbean Association to improve digital inclusion amongst the older people in its community.

Whitefield Sensory Garden – a project by Whitefield secondary school to create an outdoor sensory garden on site for students, staff and visitors to enjoy.

Brent Terrace Residents’ Association Community Garden Allotment Project – a project to further develop the creation of a small village green area which was supported last year by the Fund with new trees and equipment.

Councillor Daniel Thomas, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “The first round of the community fund is already having a positive impact with projects that celebrate the local area, and I am thrilled to see residents and groups coming together with the same creativity and enthusiasm in their new proposals. These projects will really make a difference, particularly in response to the impact of the coronavirus on our communities. I look forward to seeing them get underway.”

Nick Searl, Partner of Argent Related and joint-lead of Brent Cross South, added, “It’s fantastic once again this year that we can support a variety of inspiring local community projects that are continuing to strengthen networks and promote wellbeing in the area. Community support has never been more important in a globally challenging year.”

Argent Related and Barnet Council, are working in partnership to deliver Brent Cross South.

More information about the Community Fund can be found here.