Paddington Central Community Fund

The Paddington Central Community Fund, which launched in 2021, is a unique collaboration between British Land and businesses based at Paddington Central that aims to provide funding for local charities and social enterprises which have a positive impact on the communities surrounding the campus.   

Funding is allocated to community groups based in the London Borough of Westminster. Participating Paddington Central customers, who make a financial contribution, review the applications for funding and agree the beneficiaries each year. The Fund would not be possible without the generous contributions from Paddington Central customers.

A special thank you to Finastra, Trend Micro, Vertex Foundation, and CC Land, who alongside British Land, raised an incredible £50,000 for the first round in 2022/23.

Five charities who support young people and senior citizens received the funding to help run health, wellbeing, economic empowerment and inclusion programmes over a 12-month period.

Hammersmith Community Gardens Association   

Hammersmith Community Gardens Association (HCGA) promotes environmental sustainability within the borough to maximise biodiversity and encourage wildlife by running conservation training schemes, volunteer gardening sessions and environmental education.

The donations from the Paddington Central Community Fund have supported HCGA’s partnership with the Penfold Community Hub, giving greater access to green space for elderly residents aged 75+. Activities have encouraged participants to connect in small groups, reducing feelings of isolation and encouraging more time to be spent outside.

Paddington Arts  

Paddington Arts is a youth arts organisation committed to developing talent and creativity in the community. It runs workshops and activities for young people aged between 6 – 16 geared towards developing life skills.

The charity has created a mentoring and support group with the donations from the Fund, as well as hosting an exhibition of users’ work at Paddington Central.

MEWSo Women’s Charity 

MEWSo is a women’s charity supporting women from global majority communities, with most of the women from Middle Eastern, North African and Asian backgrounds. The aim of the charity is to support women who have faced violence or been displaced from their home – helping them to rebuild their lives in the UK, through tailored advice, guidance and support.

The funding from round one has supported MEWSo’s conversational English lessons, therapeutic art lessons and supported women in sheltered housing.

Unfold  

Unfold provides volunteer and family worker support services to vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Westminster.

Donations from the Paddington Central Community Fund have supported the charity’s ability to run a mentoring programme, which pairs up volunteers with families in need. The contributions have also supported 35 young people as part of an outreach weekend with activities, including pizza making and comedy nights.

The charity recruits and trains volunteers to provide childcare support, as well as running a range of sports, arts, and educational activities for disadvantaged communities.

Marylebone Bangladesh Society   

Marylebone Bangladesh Society (MBS) is a grassroots community led charity that supports the social welfare, educational and health needs of the community around Church Street, Marylebone, Paddington, and St John’s Wood area.

Donations from the Fund have allowed the youth centre to run twice a week, engaging young people in a variety of activities to boost confidence. The most popular activity is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which teaches structure and discipline, alongside an anti-bullying programme to help boost self-worth.

An update on Round 2

The Paddington Central Community Fund has continued its success, raising a further £34,000 in round two. A big thank you to Visa, Finastra, Trend Micro, Vertex Foundation, and CC Land for their continued support for the local community. The funds have now been awarded to three beneficiaries including the Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation, Unfold and Notre Dame Refugee Centre.

The Paddington Central Community Fund, in partnership with The London Community Foundation, facilitates cross campus collaborations which enable us all to do more, locally, together.

Round three of the Paddington Central Community Fund is now open. By becoming a contributing business, you will join a network of companies working together to make a meaningful difference and create positive social impact on your doorstep.

If you are a customer and would like to make a pledge, contact our Social Impact Manager, Ndidi. Or contribute to round 3 of the Fund by donating here.

Paddington Central’s owner, British Land, are committed to making a long-lasting, positive social impact in the communities in which they operate, by collaboratively addressing local priorities, allowing them to deliver against their sustainability strategy; Greener Spaces, Thriving Places, Responsible Choices.