A Peckham-based charity that helps people of West African descent who are HIV positive has been given £7,000 by a fund set up by Sadiq Khan.
The Ernest Foundation, which aims to reduce the stigma often still attached to HIV and AIDS, was given a grant by the London mayor’s community spaces at risk fund. The fund seeks to protect grassroots cultural centres, social clubs, youth, education and other spaces that have been supporting vulnerable groups in the pandemic.
The fund has given out nearly £600,000. Some £360,000 of this has gone to 30 community organisations across 18 boroughs in the last five months.
Among the other south London organisations to have received funding in this round are the Lewisham Irish Community Centre and the Oasis Play children’s centre in Stockwell.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Community spaces provide much-needed support and assistance to Londoners, and have been lifelines to so many throughout the pandemic. These already-stretched organisations have experienced increased demand for their services over the past 18 months, alongside growing financial pressures that have left them struggling to survive.
“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to help more than 100 community organisations at this challenging time. I will continue to do all I can to support them as London rebuilds and recovers.”