We are launching a fundraising campaign to support Crystal Palace’s well-being as we need this more than ever now!

50% of the funds we raising during our August 2020 fundraising campaign will go to three of these amazing local good causes. We know they are all very worthy but we want to give you the opportunity to choose the one closest to your heart. So please read on and click here to VOTE for your nominated cause by 10pm on Tuesday 21 July. 

Ballers Club

Accredited coaches, mentors and volunteers provide football training and coaching in a fun and inclusive environment for young members of all abilities and backgrounds. Based in Crystal Palace NSC, the club provides structure, discipline and progression, encouraging teamwork. Young members’ energies are positively channeled into developing respect, challenging negative attitudes and promoting self-belief www.ballersclub.org.uk

Raymond Bascombe, founder of Ballers Club says “Our hopes for the future are to enable, guide and support many more to achieve their potential by providing development opportunities in sports, media and fashion. With more funds we could create an innovative community hub that helps many more young people.” 

ClearCommunityWeb

ClearCommunityWeb helps to develop the digital skills or older people, vulnerable adults, carers and community groups via classes, workshops and 1 to 1 support. They also focus on personal safety, well-being and making better decisions online which can cause great anxiety. They break down the barriers and try to explain and describe things in simple terms and help people practically apply it clearcommunityweb.co.uk

Caspar Kennerdale, the director says “ With more funds we would continue the classes at the Library, extend our workshops into Anerley, South Norwood, Penge, cares home and assisted living accommodation and be able to improve the capacity for our virtual Community Tech Support programme which is currently referral only.”

Crystal Palace Community Trust Youth Programme

The Trust is developing a youth offer to provide a safe space for local young people to access activities that help them develop and have fun. They have been successful in getting Young Londoner funding from the Mayor of London for 8 local partners to build an exciting programme of activities in the Old Library, other community buildings, parks and open spaces. Lockdown slowed them down, but they are not stopping and now are offering an exciting summer programme which they want to build on this autumn cpct.org.uk

Elaine Harrison, development manager says “We want to offer all young people things to do and places to go especially those who are vulnerable or at risk. If we can raise more funds we will be able to expand what we are doing, particularly to offer more arts and cultural activities such as music, drama, dance and storytelling.”

 Kingswood Community Shop

The Shop is a friendly, welcoming, inclusive and essential community resource for residents living on and around the Kingswood Estate. All are welcome with an emphasis on supporting the vulnerable, disadvantaged or isolated to improve their well-being and quality of life. Initiatives include training courses such as ESOL, digital citizenship, employability, healthy eating, Pilates, podiatry and art classes, homework clubs, Citizens’ Advice/housing/safer community team surgeries, careers service and digital support/access – ‘It’s like walking into my grandma’s living room – full of warmth, friendship and support’ kingswood-community-shop/about-the-shop

Jo Hunt, manager of the Shop says “We want to continue to engage with our community in a meaningful way with compassion and dedication, enabling people to fulfil their potential. With more funds we would be able to expand the current service offering, based on local need.”

 Open Door Kitchen and Community Support – Christ Church Gipsy Hill

Open Door at Christ Church normally has a regular community of visitors who join for morning tea and cake, healthy free lunches and activities including a community choir. The last regular Open Door was held on 17 March. Six weeks later, they launched the Open Door Kitchen providing meals for those who are struggling to put food on the table, delivering 50 meals to the door twice a week within a one mile radius of Gipsy Hill station. Emergency food parcels and bread have also been delivered by the team working in partnership with local food banks, Sainsbury’s Upper Norwood and the residents’ association on the Kingswood Estate www.gipsyhill.org.uk/open-door

Rev Jonathan Croucher, vicar at Christ Church says ” The Open Door Kitchen is a community response to the particular needs of those struggling during the pandemic as many local support networks (including Open Door) had to close, and as demand for foodbanks spiralled.  We are keen to sustain the service throughout the summer and beyond, as food poverty increases.“

 Paxton Green TimeBank

Paxton Green Time Bank (PGTB) has been supported isolated and vulnerable people since 2008. During lockdown they continued to support members to help each other to use online services such as Skype, social media and banking safely. Volunteers have been calling isolating older people and delivering basic essentials to over 40 isolating households. Their food hub delivers free weekly food parcels to over 190 residents and they have also linked up with local charity Invisible Palace and award winning Gipsy Hill restaurant and takeaway Eastern Cuisine to provide over 60 delivered hot meals a week to local residents who are isolating due to age or health, or experiencing food poverty as a result of COVID-19 www.pgtimebank.org

Alison Paule, director of PGTB said: “One older resident who has been isolating for over 10 weeks now told us that receiving our weekly food parcel and then a hot meal from Eastern Cuisine made her feel ‘almost as if she were back in the real world’. Demand is increasing so we need to raise more funds to continue our services.”

 The Hive At St John The Evangelist Church

The Hive is a community project held every Wednesday at the church. It is open for anyone in need in the community to come and have a free two course meal and socialise – everyone is welcome from all faiths or none. St John’s is a member of the Inclusive Church Network – they do not discriminate. It is funded by donations with a small team of dedicated volunteers. People can play music, sing in The Hive choir, take part in art and crafts, get help writing letters, play games, sit and talk or just take time to relax. They also offer Foodbank Vouchers and can work with people on referrals friendship-and-support

Fr John, vicar at St John’s says “Everyone is welcome and can be themselves. Supporting The Hive is supporting a place set aside in our community for those who might not have anywhere else to belong. We just can’t say no so we are always in need of funds to help more people.”

Click here to VOTE for your nominated cause by 10pm on Tuesday 21 July. 

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