Southwark Community Response was a new emergency fund by United St Saviour’s and a group of local funders to help charities, social enterprises and community groups in Southwark manage the impact of COVID-19. With pooled contributions from ourselves, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, Peter Minet Trust, Southwark Charities, British Land, St George the Martyr Charity, local businesses and residents a total of £0.6M was earmarked for Southwark communities across the whole borough.

This fund was in addition to the London Community Response fund, coordinated by London Funders, which launched on 27th March 2020. Through the London Community Response Fund, over £57m was available to charities, social enterprises and community groups across the capital for emergency financial support to help manage the impact of Covid-19.

The ‘Southwark Community Response Fund’ was managed by ourselves, but to make it as simple as possible for community organisations all applications went through the London Community Response portal and needed to match their priorities and criteria.

The first phase of funding – Wave 1 – offered funding for urgent needs with grants of up to £5k for food and essentials.

The second wave of funding – Wave 2 – was for larger crisis response grants to support communities and charities at this difficult time.

The third wave of funding – Wave 3 – was for crisis, enable or adapt grants to support communities and charities through the covid-19 lockdown.

You can read about the impact of Southwark Community Response Fund here

For further information on London Community Response visit here