Published: Monday 10 January 2022
In 2021 the Council launched the Voluntary Sector Support Fund (VSSF), giving over £2.8 million in funding to 35 local voluntary sector organisations.
The Voluntary Sector Support Fund allows for more organisations to apply for funding support from Kensington and Chelsea Council. Through the fund, organisations can access financial backing under an 18-month commitment.
To bring in the festive season and provide much needed services for the community, VSSF recipients, OpenAge and The Venture Centre delivered an outstanding Christmas offer.
Over the Christmas period, The Venture Community Association created a ‘Together at Christmas...…at a Distance’ event held at the Venture Centre and Flashpoint. The Venture Community provided a special family Christmas time to vulnerable families in the borough. Working with social care, schools and other community groups, they identified families that needed a bit of Christmas cheer.
Around 60 children attended, and they were served a full turkey dinner (cooked by The Ivy), before enjoying games and puzzles and entertainment from a steel band. Upon leaving, every child got a wrapped present, a brand-new winter coat and a family bag of food.
William Roberts, Director of The Venture Community Association said:
‘The VSSF enables us to be open. It provides core funding that enables us to meet the needs of our community.
It has proved critical to help us operate our three weekly food banks in the borough. It also helps us to raise more money for events like this, where our fundraising has provided the food and the presents. Above all, it helps to put the Venture Centre at the heart of the community, where it has been for over 60 years.’
The Venture Association runs four adventure play sites, supported by Children’s Services, a community pantry, currently supported by Community Engagement. They are also a key partner in developing food support strategies.
In addition, OpenAge hosted an array of classes delivered through a Christmas programme. Its’ focus was to help their community come together and connect with friends in a time that can be lonely for many older people. Classes included cookery, Meditation, Card Making and an Online Christmas sing-song.
OpenAge has supported older people across West London to live healthy, joyful and independent lives for 28+ years. Their staff typically engage with 1500+ individuals every week from a community of 4,500+ members, ages 50 and above.
Jenny Marshall, Head of Member Experience at OpenAge said:
‘The VSSF fund has helped us to support the core services OpenAge delivers and our aim is to promote a positive approach to ageing. We encourage our members to stay active and engaged and to have fun.
Our activities are specifically designed for older people. They focus on physical and mental stimulation as well as creating new opportunities to socialise, make new friends and to contribute meaningfully to the community.’
OpenAge is a provider of Adult Community Learning commissioned from the Adult Education Budget held by RBKC.