AG’s ongoing support for The Abbey Centre helps Westminster’s most in need

Almost 32,000 people across the London borough of Westminster have been helped with some of the toughest issues facing them: loneliness, hunger and the cost-of-living crisis that continues for some of society’s poorest and most vulnerable. The Abbey Centre’s record attendance across its community programmes in the past year is both a reflection of the cost-of-living pressures that continue to face society, and the support it has had from Ambassadeurs Group (AG).

The Abbey Centre, which has been supporting the neighbourhood since 1984, has a long association with AG which has helped with four key projects since 2023: Hot Meals Service, Young at Heart, The Community Pantry, and Volunteer Recognition. More recently AG has made an additional £25,000 donation to continue the Hot Meals Service, supporting homeless people, rough sleepers and refugees living in isolated accommodation. The donation will allow this service to continue twice a week for an entire year.

‘We are delighted to continue to support The Abbey Centre in its work with the local community,’ says Krishna Hathi, Head of Charity Initiatives at AG. ‘We have seen the positive impact The Abbey Centre has on people’s mental health and wellbeing, on their opportunity to connect with others, and the ability to have their basic needs met.’

Serving the local community

The Centre’s programmes play a vital role in a London borough that is home to both rich (it is the seat of Government power and the capital’s home for the monarch) and some of society’s poorest. Almost 50 refugee meals have been provided over the course of the last year, giving a place to meet and socialise for those people who have been displaced by war or persecution and have nowhere else to go. A similar number (48) of meals have been provided for the homeless, giving both warm food and a warm, inviting place to go in cold months.

The Young at Heart programme has supported the community’s elderly through trips and regular meetings. There have been 140 of these in the past 12 months, providing a lifeline in terms of companionship through bringing people together. The Community Pantry has opened its doors more than 100 times, giving access to fresh food at cheaper prices than supermarkets. The Pantry has reached 324 households, directly benefitting 581 adults and 283 children.

Adam Greenhalgh, Head of Community Programmes, has put in place a Theory of Change to measure the benefits of its programmes. They show the extent of improvement in the following areas: loneliness and isolation; physical health; mental wellbeing and happiness; access to financial security and basic needs.

Adam said that the support from AG has helped to boost activities and support, which has in turn enabled more people to be helped. ‘AG can take great pride in the legacy they have provided for asylum seekers, people experiencing homelessness, older people experiencing poverty and loneliness as well as directly tackling the cost-of-living crisis through The Community Pantry.’

A funding legacy

According to Adam, a partnership that occurred as a result of AG funding has directly led to a three-year funding programme for its Refugee Meals. ‘The scope of the project has expanded to include the Community Pantry and a Play and Stay Support Role for The Refugee Meals.’

It is not the only programme that has benefitted both directly and indirectly from AG’s support. The Centre has received an additional year of funding to provide meals for the homeless, from a local organisation as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. The Community Pantry is close to funding another year. And the Young at Heart programme for older people has received funding to continue through a series of smaller grants. ‘And we have recently launched a men’s shed project as an offshoot of Young at Heart that is attended regularly by older men – a notoriously difficult group to engage,’ said Adam.

Krishna said that AG, which is in Westminster, will continue to support the work of the Centre. ‘This is our community and we are pleased that we can help those who will really benefit from the work of the Abbey Centre.’

https://www.theabbeycentre.org.uk