New network of 30 community spaces to be set up across London to combat social isolation and division

• The Mayor and The National Lottery Community Fund have invested £1.8m to create a new network of community spaces to support Londoners
• 30 venues across the capital are receiving funding and support to host a wide variety of events and provide advice to support London’s diverse communities at a time when loneliness and social isolation is increasing and many are facing fear, hatred and division online and on our streets. 
• The Mayor welcomed the announcement saying – ‘Community centres were always at the heart of many London neighbourhoods and I want to restore them as a powerful force for good across London.’
• Funding comes after a fall in the number of community centres across the country over the last ten years, with new polling highlighting the importance of these shared spaces to Londoners.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and The National Lottery Community Fund have today announced the creation of a network of 30 community spaces to help more Londoners access support and opportunities wherever they are across the capital.

It comes as polling has today shown that 73 per cent of Londoners think that community centres are important. However, only 12 per cent have visited their local community centre or hall, with more than half of all respondents (55 per cent) saying that more activities on offer would encourage them to visit.

The Mayor and The National Lottery Community Fund have joined together to invest £1.8m to create a network of community spaces to help London’s diverse communities access more services and provide them with a space to join together and learn from each other at a time when loneliness and social isolation is increasing, and many of us are facing fear, hatred and division online and on our streets. 

The community spaces will host a range of activities and offer support and advice to Londoners make it easier for people of all backgrounds to become an active part of their community. This includes mentoring, weekly drop-in sessions, community meals and support with digital inclusion. Spaces will also run activities to support mental health and wellbeing, help with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and multilingual support, and SEND and disability support.

The Loved and Wanted Community Fund is building on the existing work of charities, faith groups and civil society organisations by bringing people of different backgrounds and faiths together, building relationships across communities and breaking down barriers.

Bringing communities together in real life is crucial to building unity and cohesion, especially in an age where social media is increasingly being used as a weapon to spread division and hate. The Loved and Wanted Community Fund builds on the existing work of charities, faith groups and civil society organisations by bringing people of different backgrounds and faiths together, strengthening trust and social ties, building relationships across communities and breaking down barriers.

This funding comes after local authority-run community spaces decreased by nearly 10 a year between 2018-2023.

The Mayor launched his Loved and Wanted campaign last year. The campaign has worked with more than 140 organisations across London and previously helped to distribute more than £985,000 to communities in every borough through the Government’s Community Recovery Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund. This included support for the Mayor’s Community Weekend which saw 200 community groups host events across the capital to bring Londoners of all backgrounds together.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m proud to announce the creation of a new network of community spaces that will bring Londoners from all backgrounds together. London is the greatest city in the world because of the incredible people who live here, but we’re seeing loneliness and social division on the rise, and a weakening of the bonds that unite us as communities.

“Our sense of social cohesion is being put to the test like never before, and the lack of integration makes it harder for people from different backgrounds to understand each other.

“Access to community spaces can offer an important space for people to come together, learn from one another and a place to turn to for advice and support. Community centres were always at the heart of many London neighbourhoods and I want to restore them as a powerful force for good across London.

“By joining with the National Lottery Community Fund, we’re taking pro-active steps to build stronger and more integrated communities – working to grow social ties and bonds of trust between people of all backgrounds.”

The National Lottery Community Fund’s England Director Phil Chamberlain said: “London’s diversity is its lifeblood; the city can be very proud of that. As the UK’s largest champion of community-led change, we’re proud to partner with the Mayor of London to help bring people together and build stronger, more inclusive communities across the capital. 

“This truly life-changing funding will enable an invaluable network of local spaces that support communities to build trust, help one another, find solidarity, and forge the connections that make our communities a force for good.”

Vicki Amedume, Co-CEO of The Albany, said: "At The Albany, we see how essential trusted community spaces are to bringing people together and supporting local wellbeing. This new network recognises the vital role venues like ours play in strengthening communities at a time when connection matters more than ever. This investment will help ensure that community spaces remain open, welcoming, and responsive to the needs of Londoners”

Geethika Jayatilaka, chief executive London Plus, said: “London should be a place where all Londoners feel they belong and are a part of the community and we welcome the investment being made by the Loved and Wanted Fund into community buildings and activities that will help Londoners feel welcome. At London Plus, we see first-hand how London’s charities and community groups play a critical role in strengthening communities and this funding will enable a network of 30 centres to develop their vital work -  bringing people together and contributing to a stronger, united London where everyone can thrive.”

Mustafa Field OBE, director at Faiths Forum for London, said: "We are living through a period where fear and division can too easily take root, leaving some communities feeling isolated or unheard. Investing in trusted community spaces is essential to rebuilding connection, strengthening understanding, and ensuring London remains a city where everyone feels they belong.”

ENDS