At a time when fear, hatred and division are being spread online and on our streets, Mayor launches nearly £1m fund to support London’s communities and show that the capital will always be a place for everyone

• The new Loved and Wanted Fund is designed to show London is proud of its diversity and will always be a place for everyone
• It comes at a time when fear, hatred and division are being sown online and on our streets
• Up to 15 community organisations across the capital will receive funding to offer a range of support and advice to Londoners from dedicated spaces
• As part of the Mayor’s Loved and Wanted campaign, the network of Loved and Wanted spaces will bring people of different backgrounds together, from putting on community events to helping to improve access to services
• New video celebrates the capital’s diversity with a proud statement of London’s values and a message to Londoners

Days after a rally organised by far-right activists took to the streets of the capital, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new £900,000 fund to create a network of spaces that will support London’s diverse communities, and reiterated that London will always be a place for everyone.

The Mayor’s new Loved and Wanted Fund will provide funding for up to 15 community organisations across the capital to help them expand their work connecting Londoners and offering support and advice.

The network of Loved and Wanted spaces will build on the existing work of charities, faith groups and civil society organisations by bringing people of different backgrounds together, building relationships across communities and breaking down barriers, at a time when fear, hatred and division is increasingly being sown online and on our streets.

This will range from hosting events to improving access to a number of local services, such as mental health, employment and financial support, all helping to make it easier for people to become an active part of their community.

Sadiq also today released a video online to celebrate the capital’s diversity – in contrast to the rally that took place on Saturday in central London. The message for Londoners, featuring a poem by Kareem Parkins-Brown, is a proud statement of London’s values, as political leaders try to talk down our city and our diversity.

The fund and video are part of the Mayor’s Loved and Wanted campaign which was launched in February to show the world that diversity is London’s greatest strength and that the capital is, and always will be, a place for everyone.

The campaign has worked with more than 140 organisations across London and helped to distribute more than £985,000 to community groups in every borough through the Government’s Community Recovery Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. Last weekend, 200 community groups brought Londoners of all backgrounds together to enjoy events across the capital as part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I know that many of our communities are feeling extremely worried after what took place on the capital’s streets on Saturday. We are seeing increased efforts to spread fear, division and hatred on our streets and online, but my message to Londoners and the rest of world is very clear – London is, and always be, a place for everyone. A city where people of all backgrounds live side-by-side, and where our differences are not just tolerated, but celebrated.

“It is important that we all stand up for our British values of equality, inclusion and mutual respect, and I’m committed to working with community organisations to reassure Londoners and show that hate will never win. Our charities, faith groups and civil society organisations are doing incredible work to unite our communities, and through this new fund we’re going to help bring even more Londoners together, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”

Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, said: “London will always be a place for everyone and this fund will help ensure the Loved and Wanted campaign leaves a lasting legacy for London’s communities. By empowering local organisations to deliver advice and practical support at a time when fear and division is increasing, we are giving communities the tools they need to break down barriers and achieve their potential. These trusted services strengthen community networks and improve access to opportunities across our capital. It is through this commitment that we demonstrate our values in action, as we build a better, fairer London for all.”

Geethika Jayatilaka, CEO London Plus, said: “Every Londoner deserves not just to be here, but to feel they truly belong and are valued, seen, and celebrated. The Mayor’s Loved and Wanted Fund will be a key investment in building social cohesion and is a vital step towards ensuring that our city thrives on connection, compassion, and inclusivity. At London Plus, we see the crucial role that the civil society sector plays in making this vision real and we are committed to working collaboratively to create spaces where all Londoners feel loved and wanted.”