Lewisham Local

Lewisham Local, a registered charity and local infrastructure body established in 2004, strengthens the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in London's Borough of Lewisham. Its mission is to build happier, healthier communities through an asset-based approach that mobilises local skills, fosters collaboration among organisations, businesses, residents, and statutory bodies, and tackles poverty, social isolation, and inequality. Core values of inclusivity, empowerment, volunteerism, and community-led solutions underpin its work as a funder, connector, capacity builder, and partnership broker, with signature projects like the Bank of Things for youth essentials and Wild Cat Wilderness green spaces.

It funds grassroots initiatives prioritising those in greatest need, including poverty relief (food, essentials, emergencies via Essentials Grants and Warm Welcomes Fund), mental/physical wellbeing, youth education and opportunities (e.g., Forest School), social inclusion, digital access, arts/culture, neighbourhood infrastructure, and capacity building. Support spans project grants, core funding, and capital for early years, focusing on preventative, collaborative efforts where mainstream services fall short, as seen in its COVID-19 volunteer hub.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, or social enterprises at least 12 months old with income typically under £1m, strong governance, and 90%+ beneficiaries in Lewisham; no religious restrictions apply. Applications are unsolicited via email (funding@lewishamlocal.com) with forms, accounts, policies, and budgets for Essentials (closes 18 September 2025) and Warm Welcomes; Main Grants use the Lewisham Community Funding portal (closes 6 October 2025). Grants range from £1,500–£2,000 (Essentials) to £20,000–£80,000/year for 3 years (Main), up to £240,000 for large partnerships; notifications within 3–4 weeks, funds from April 2026.

Distinctively hyper-local and embedded in Lewisham, it avoids non-local projects, mission drift, or statutory replacements, uniquely blending grants with training, volunteer recruitment, and sustainability support to empower community-led change.