More than £300,000 in developer cash handed to local community groups

Enfield Council has awarded £317,000 in funding to 19 projects serving communities in Edmonton close to the Meridian Water redevelopment zone.

The projects will help to support Edmonton residents and “promote diversity and inclusion in the community”.

Launched in November 2021, the Meridian Water Community Chest Fund offered financial support for projects that will contribute to the growth and development of the local area.

The first tranche of funding, announced last week, will dish out £317,000 collected from the council’s private sector partners working on the Meridian Water project, including Vistry Partnerships which is currently building the first homes.

The council anticipates that future Meridian Water partners will “top up” the funds available, providing further funding opportunities at regular intervals. The next round for bids has been announced for this autumn. Those that weren’t awarded funding this time will be allowed to apply again.

Among the winners of funding are projects being delivered by primary schools, scout groups and arts organisations in Edmonton, including Face Front Inclusive Theatre, which will create new free weekly theatre performances for local disabled and isolated people.

Council leader Nesil Caliskan said: “The private sector has a social and moral responsibility to the communities in which they are working and this fund will allow real improvements to be made by community groups and not-for-profits.”

The successful applicants, each receiving between £1,000 and £59,000, were selected from 59 applications by the Meridian Water Community Panel, comprised of senior officers of the council along with community representatives.

The 19 winning project bids are:

10th Edmonton Scout Group (a scout trip to the Peak District for young people in Edmonton)

Fleecefield Primary School (creation of new playground signage to support language development)

Enfield Club House (creation of a new series of pottery workshops)

Children First Academy Trust (a day trip for 60 primary school children in Edmonton to experience activities beyond their usual reach in both cost and access)

Eldon Primary School (funding the new Eldon Art Club to enable to development of children’s artistic skills, creativity and confidence)

Future Challenges (creation of new employment workshops aimed at 26 young adults/ex-offenders in Edmonton)

1st Edmonton Boys Brigade and Girls Association (provision of new outdoor equipment to support the promotion of healthier lifestyles and outdoor activities for young people)

21K Digital Media Ltd (projects to help increase employability skills for young people)

Third Age Foundation (creation of a new multi-cultural, diverse and inclusive choir)

St John & St James Primary School (creation of a community mural project in Edmonton)

Edmonton Community Partnership (creation of new sensory rooms in up to six primary schools in Edmonton)

North Star Community Trust (partnership with Age UK Enfield to increase engagement with the older community)

Face Front Inclusive Theatre (a new free weekly theatre and performance group for people who are isolated and/or disabled living in Edmonton)

The Gifted Organisation Limited (working with residents of Edmonton to train them as project workers to assist vulnerable women)

Bread n Butter CIC London (to provide a three-tiered healthy eating lifestyle programme)

Legacy and DJ MC Academy (a programme developed to raise awareness about education and employment with the music industry)

Jazanne Arts CIC (work with diverse isolated older people and vulnerable children through creative activities to create a performance about their common locality)

London Cycling Club/Londra Bisiklet Kulubu CIC (tackle transport poverty and inequality by providing residents with the use of bikes via a long-term bike loan scheme together with cycle training)

34Bus CIC (a project to create a community mural in a rundown underpass on an estate in Upper Edmonton)

This article has been amended to include the correct name for London Cycling Club, which was previously listed incorrectly as London Cycling Campaign

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