Community Legacy Fund launched to support grassroots projects in Waltham Forest

Two community projects in Walthamstow have been given a boost with funding from Housing Association L&Q and building suppliers Travis Perkins Managed Services (TPMS), who have a launched a Community Legacy Fund totalling £81,000.

Sam McCabe, a local parent and Child and Family Practitioner, applied for a grant from the Community Legacy Fund to provide books for children at Mission Grove Primary School in Walthamstow. 

She said: “The funding is going to help so many children from different backgrounds to have access to fantastic quality books. These books are going to encourage children to read for pleasure, support their learning and reflect the diverse community we live in.”

Another organisation from Waltham Forest, BOOST:ED, are using the funding for a three-month programme called Creative Showcase that develops practical enterprise, employability and resilience-building skills for local 16–24-year-old creatives. The programme will culminate in a major exhibition event at CRATE St. James Street, giving participants a launch pad to display their work and partners a platform for positive community engagement.

The fund is open to any community projects that support employment and economic opportunities, or promotes environmental sustainability, community involvement, or social progress and equality in areas in which L&Q operate.

Matthew Corbett, Director of the L&Q Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting these fantastic projects, thanks to the generous support of Travis Perkins. The Community Legacy Fund demonstrates how much social value can be drawn from within our supply chain to benefit our residents and the communities in which they live. We hope this is the first of many such funds set up in partnership with our suppliers.”

Rita Lad, Account Manager for Travis Perkins Managed Services said: “L&Q have been a valued partner of ours for a number of years now and as such we have always strived to play a key part in supporting their local community projects. Our mission is to make significant positive change within the communities we work; encouraging sustainable communities which are vibrant, healthy, safe and where individuals thrive. We are proud to support this community fund ensuring that L&Q residents have better access to vital funding to enable them to create change and enhance people's quality of life.”