Innovative Projects Helping Hundreds of Children in Barnet To Get £85,000 Funding Boost
The Young Barnet Foundation in partnership with the Joint Commissioning Unit of Barnet CCG and Barnet Council is excited to announce the award of £85,000 from their Space2Grow Children and Young People’s Fund to eight projects across Barnet that will reach at least 800 unique young people across The London Borough of Barnet, many with additional needs.
This round of funding was run in conjunction with The Joint Commissioning Unit of Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group and Barnet Council. Together we are awarding a variety grants from £2,500 up to £17,500 to organisations working to improve health and wellbeing for children & young people in Barnet.
Eight projects were chosen to run across the London Borough of Barnet over coming year, having been selected from 24 project applications. The chosen projects cover a wide range of specialisms and will bring partnership working between 34 organisations from the VCS, statutory and school partners.
The eight organisations awarded funding are:
•Barnet Carers Centre awarded £17,397 for their Barnet Young Carers Hubs
•Community Focus awarded £17,500 for ARTiculate Futures Project
•Jami, Harts Theatre and Mill Hill East Church awarded £13,696 for One Barnet, Many Voices Project
•Resources for Autism awarded £12,821 for Supporting Young People with Autism
•Suberbos awarded £5,970 for FUNdamentals Through Football Project
•Head Held High, Rainbow Head and RAF Museum awarded £5,000 for Stop & Laugh Project
•Strength in Horses Equine Therapy awarded £5,906
•Grief Encounters Awarded £6,150 for remembrance workshops to support bereaved children and young people.
The projects address varying needs, bringing together young people from diverse socio-cultural and faith groups; supporting the emotional wellbeing of young carers; and bringing together children and young people with Autism, using sessions to remove stigma, build friendships and community networks.
On news of receiving the funding, Liza Drezner from Resources for Autism said “This will make a real difference to a group of young people who find socialising and making friends extremely difficult. Dealing with the isolation resulting from autism combined with mental health difficulties is a start on the path to the wellbeing that all our young people deserve”
Tash Alexander of Held High was excited by the announcement of funding. "We cannot wait to start working with the young people of Barnet, helping them become the best and happiest versions of themselves through our Stop and Laugh programme. We are all very grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to having a highly motivational and enjoyable week"
Tim Balogun, CEO of Community Focus said “Community Focus is delighted to be recognised by The Space 2 Grow funding support, from the Young Barnet Foundation - in recognition for our continued work to help Barnet’s young people; especially those with mental health concerns. Our proactive community arts based project – ARTiculate Futures will work with 10 key strategic partners within Barnet such as Raphael House, ADDISS and Rainbow Head to ensure a wide range of young people can be supported.”
The judging panel was made up of the YBF Chair of Trustee, Eddie Thompson; Poonum Chamdal, John Lyon’s Charity, Deian Abankwa, Barnet CCG; Garance Zinzen – Member of Barnet Youth Parliament and Jayne Abbott Resilient Schools Lead.
Barnet CCG clinical Lead for Mental Health Dr Charlotte Benjamin said ‘The health and wellbeing of local children and young people is a priority for the Clinical Commissioning Group. We are delighted to be part of this initiative to bring such wonderful opportunities which will allow them to develop and thrive socially, as well as looking after their mental health.”
Since 2016, the Space2Grow Fund has awarded over £120,000 to local organisations, benefitting the lives of thousands of young people. Funded by John Lyon’s Charity and Citybridge, the Young Barnet Foundation also work closely with local businesses, organisations and individuals - who want to do their giving within the borough of Barnet. To ensure they can continue to grow activities and opportunities for children and young people you can make a one off or regular donation by visiting www.youngbarnetfoundation.org.uk or call 020 3621 6090
Janet Matthewson, CEO of the Young Barnet Foundation said “The independent panel had a very difficult task as the fund was heavily oversubscribed, with over 16 projects missing out from Young Barnet member organisations. In truth, all the applications could have been funded as we need more prevention and early intervention services to support our children and young people but funding is limited. The Space2Grow CYP fund is a great way of getting funding to local grass root organisations enabling them to be the difference in the lives of our children, young people and families.
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