Just one year after launching its flagship Core Grants Scheme, Labour-run Westminster Council is already seeing strong results—with local charities reaching more people, delivering more consistent services, and raising significantly more funds.
The scheme, announced by Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and the Voluntary Sector, after Labour took control of the Council in May 2022, was a manifesto pledge to increase long-term support for local organisations providing vital services to Westminster communities.
Under the programme, 55 charities and community groups received three-year core funding, giving them much-needed stability to improve governance, fundraising and service delivery.
Key Outcomes:
• 3,840 more residents supported – a 20% increase in service reach
• 89% of organisations now rate their services as consistent – up from 76%
• £1.5 million more raised through improved fundraising – a 16% uplift
• Stronger governance – with new strategic plans, updated policies, and formal governance arrangements now in place across many organisations
Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, said:
“It’s amazing to see that just 12 months into the scheme, organisations have used core funding to reach more people, improve services and increase fundraising. This will have a snowball effect—building a stronger, more stable voluntary sector that continues delivering for our communities.”
The Labour administration will continue to monitor and support the sector as part of its long-term mission to create a fairer Westminster, where community-led services thrive and residents are better supported at a grassroots level.
Organisations funded through the Core Grants Scheme
Here’s a list of charities and community organisations that received core funding through Westminster Labour’s Core Grants Scheme. These organisations operate across the borough and focus on a variety of areas, including youth support, food poverty, mental health, culture, and community development.
- 7 Spheres – Church Street
- Abdul Mageed Educational Trust – Pimlico South
- Adventure Play Hub – Regents Park
- All Stars Youth Club Limited – Queens Park
- Central London Youth Development Trust – Church Street
- Chinese Community Centre – St James’
- Chinese Information and Advice Centre – St James’
- Controlling Chemsex – Church Street
- Creative Futures (UK) Limited – Queens Park
- DreamArts – Church Street, Maida Vale, Westbourne Park, Harrow Road, St James’
- Dutch Pot Lunch & Social Club – Abbey Road
- ESP FOUNDATION – Queens Park
- Fitzrovia Community Centre – West End
- Fun 4 Over 50’s CIC – Church Street
- Happy Lizzy Event Planning CIC – Harrow Road
- Harrow Road Soup Kitchen – Harrow Road, Queen’s Park
- Hear Women – Hyde Park
- Home-Start Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham – Regents Park
- Hurdles2Hoops C.I.C – West End
- Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice – Church Street
- Kulan Somali Organisation – Hyde Park
- LEGS (Local Exercise Groups for stroke and neurological conditions) – Pimlico North
- London Basketball Association – Maida Vale, Queens Park
- Mala CHERGA Theatre – St James’
- Marylebone Bangladesh Society – Church Street
- Middle Eastern Women and Society Organisation – Church Street
- Neighbourhood Doulas CIO – All Wards
- North Paddington Foodbank – Harrow Road
- North Paddington Youth Club – Maida Vale
- Paddington Arts – Westbourne
- Paddington Law Centre – Queens Park
- London Advocacy Group & Human Rights Solidarity – St James’
- Pimlico Musical Foundation – Pimlico South
- Pimlico Toy Library – Pimlico South
- Queen’s Park Bangladesh Association (QPBA) – Westbourne
- Queer East CIC – St James’
- Shadow to Shine CIO – Marylebone
- Sketch Appeal CIC – Church Street
- South Westminster Community Festival – Pimlico South
- Sport4Health CIC – Pimlico South
- St. Vincent’s Family Project – St James’
- Tell It Parents Network – Harrow Road
- The Caxton Youth Organisation – Pimlico North
- The Mosaic Community Trust UK – Little Venice
- The Sudanese Nubian Association UK – Queens Park
- Treasure Sports Club CIC – St James’
- Unfold – Church Street
- Union Dance Trust Ltd – St James’
- WEPT (Women Empowerment Project & Training) – Church Street
- Westbourne Park Family Centre – Bayswater
- Westminster Arts (Resonate Arts) – Hyde Park
- Westminster Bangladeshi Welfare Trust – Pimlico North
- Women’s Association For Networking and Development – Abbey Road
- Zodiac Arts – Harrow Road