Havering Council has awarded more than £80,000 to local community groups to help improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.
The Community Chest has awarded grants in 2025 to small-to-medium-sized charities, voluntary, faith groups and social enterprises to support Havering residents to improve their health and wellbeing.
The funding comes from the NHS Integrated Care Board Health Inequalities Funding for Havering. Bidders could apply for up to £5,000 in funding.
Bids were submitted to the Live Well Havering team which received requests for more than £400,000's worth of bids for the £80,000 funding pot, as well as many exceptional bids, above the £5,000 threshold, for projects to support Havering residents.
Funding bids were reviewed by Community Panels made up of residents who scored each project against a set criteria.
A panel of young people reviewed the projects relating to young people's wellbeing and a panel of adult residents scored the remaining projects.
The grants will benefit a range of organisations that support local residents by tackling inequalities including the cost of living, providing counselling support and half-term holiday programmes, among others.
Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said:
“We had a fantastic response to this year’s Community Chest from some truly worthwhile and innovative projects that are making a difference at the heart of our community.
“The panels had to make some tough decisions, as there were so many worthy projects. The money they receive will go a long way to deliver some amazing services.
“A huge thank you to the children, young people and residents who were involved in deciding which projects to fund.”
Luke Burton, Director of the Havering Place Based Partnership, said:
“By investing this funding directly into community-led projects, we’re tackling health inequalities in a way that reflects real local priorities.
"I’m grateful to the residents who helped shape these decisions and to the organisations delivering this vital support.”