Funder hands 20 charities £6.5m to tackle social injustice and inequality

City Bridge Foundation has handed 20 charities across London a total of £6.5m for social welfare and social action projects.

The money will aim to help some of the capital’s most vulnerable people with issues around homelessness, debt and immigration.

It has been handed to the charities through the funder’s Access to Justice programme, which launched last year to tackle barriers to justice and equality.

Charities sharing the money includes those supporting people with disabilities, refugees, LGBTQ+ communities, young people, older people, woman with complex needs and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Five-year grants of up to £450,000 have been handed to among others Asylum Aid, Camden Disability Action and Merton Centre for Independent Living.

“This grant will be transformative for our organisation and our community, enabling us to embed new ways of working, drive systems change and help to create a society that is truly inclusive, equitable and accessible for all disabled people,” said Charlet Wilson, chief executive of Merton Centre for Independent Living.

"This funding will allow us to continue providing free and accredited advice to Disabled people, supporting us to live with choice and control. Over the next five years, we look forward to using our lived expertise to lead lasting change.”

Meanwhile, three-year grants of at least £92,000 each have been handed to among others Southwark Pensioners Centre, Federation of Iraqi Refugees, and Youth Legal and Resource Centre.

“We are delighted to be supporting 20 remarkable organisations that are deeply rooted in the communities they serve,” said City Bridge Foundation Board chair Paul Martinelli.

“Every day, they provide high-quality, free social welfare advice that helps people navigate some of life's most difficult challenges and access the rights and support they are entitled to.

“While some are already helping to challenge the structures and attitudes that sustain inequality, others are building the foundations to do so.

“Through this funding, we are investing not only in vital frontline services, but also in the community leadership, partnerships and collective action needed to drive lasting systems change across London.”