A new volunteer run community support network, advocacy & COLLABORATIVE FORUM for sharing learning & opportunities

For community projects, groups & practitioners to share & develop, learning & research on challenges to equitable access to accessible spaces across London boroughs. With a first phases emphasis on the North East London/Olympics legacy zone. As well as a forum through which commercial businesses and other organisations can offer available free or very low cost storage/office spaces which are being under used, to support their local communities.

Key areas of focus:

  • NHS 10 year plan emphasises prevention & key role of Voluntary sector in reducing health inequalities and better life outcomes.

  • This cannot be achieved if voluntary sector, social value organisations do not have:

  • Accessible, fit for purpose, visually uplifting, community arts spaces with stages and seating for music, dance and theatre performances.

  • Office/volunteer training spaces

  • Storage Spaces

  • Use of an address to be eligible for many grant funding opportunities that require a fixed business address.

  • Continuation and expansion of Peppercorn Leases and organisations with long term peppercorn leases, opening up and sharing their spaces with grassroots, social value projects and more use of Community Asset Transfers to benefit local communities.

If you wish to join the network please send an email to londoncommunityinfrastructure@gmail.com confirming:

  • Name, role & organisation.

  • Location(s)

  • Looking for a space - office, storage, venues?

  • Offering an available, underutilised space, location, type of space, days and times? (Free or very low cost)

  • Looking to share, gain knowledge, support the community sector or volunteer for us.

AIMS

  • To share learning specifically around community infrastructure & CIL Community Infrastructure Levy funding/Section 106 to unlock value, to help build stronger communities.

  • Collaborating with commercial businesses, Local Authorities & other organisations who may have underutilised free or very low cost spaces to offer.

  • This includes the development of a map of available spaces, for free, low cost, subsidised, storage, office space and community venues.

  • New opportunities, where projects and groups may want to link up in partnership, with others on low cost rent or peppercorn leases.

  • To work collaboratively with local authorities and agencies to achieve shared goals and aims for residents and communities.

For a faster reply please copy in info@wiilma.org and put “LONDON COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE” in the Subject header.

WIILMA is a grassroots community support & cohesion organisation, we launched this initiative in response to an identified need.