Match funding from Central District Alliance is supporting residents during the cost of living crisis
At Camden Council, we know that when we work with businesses and our communities, amazing things happen. And that’s what has happened in Holborn, Covent Garden and Bloomsbury over the past year thanks to the Central District Alliance (CDA).
We’ve been working in partnership with the CDA and community groups in the two wards to understand how we can best support residents with the soaring costs of living. From these conversations, CDA generously match funded the £30,000 that Camden Council provided to community services in 2023 for these areas.
We spoke to Debbie from CDA and James and Phil from two of the organisations that benefited from the funding to find out more.
Debbie is the CEO at CDA, an organisation that brings together businesses, charities, local authorities and think tanks to empower businesses and communities in the Holborn, Covent Garden and Bloomsbury wards.
Debbie: “We chose to match fund the Council’s funding because we recognise the urgent need to address the growing financial inequalities caused by the cost of living crisis.”
“By providing support during this crisis, we aim to strengthen the resilience of our community, ensuring everyone has an equal chance at a high quality of life, irrespective of their financial circumstances.”
“Through working with the Council, we can amplify the impact of our collective efforts and make sure that our funds reach residents who need them the most. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to shared community responsibility.”
“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to shared community responsibility.”
Debbie, CEO at Central District Alliance
Dragon Hall Trust and Covent Garden Community Centre (CGCC) are both local charities that work closely together to support the local community. James oversees the services at Dragon Hall Trust and Phil is the Manager at CGCC, both make sure that their activities are an opportunity for residents to feel welcome, build connections and have fun.
James: “We’ve invested the funding into three activities that are more important than ever in preventing loneliness and helping older residents to stay active. These are our monthly tea dances, health and social walks which are accessible for all, and community trips and events to different London venues which are chosen by our members.”
Phil: “The funding has helped to pay for professional tutors to deliver activities such as Pilates, Yoga, digital support sessions, advice and food support etc. The activities and services ensure that older people have a choice. They have options to socialise, learn something new, have help to get online and better understand the digital age and to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.”
“We’ve invested the funding into three activities that are more important than ever in preventing loneliness and helping older residents to stay active.”
James, Dragon Hall Trust
When we collaborate, we make a greater impact
This collaboration is a perfect example of how we make a greater impact working in partnership with residents, community groups and businesses.
The boost in funding that CDA provided has helped, and continues to help, local community organisations to provide vital support to residents who need it most.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to the CDA team for their commitment to supporting their local Camden communities.
The following organisations received the match funding:
- Bourne Estate TRA
- Coram’s Fields
- Covent Garden Community Centre
- Dragon Hall Trust
- Holborn Community Association
- King’s Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association
- Phoenix Community Garden
Are you a Camden business?
If you would like to collaborate with us to support your local community, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at wemakecamden@camden.gov.uk
