March 7, from 11.00 - 12.30
London’s communities have demonstrated time and time again how they come together in a crisis to support those most in need, from the Grenfell Tower Fire, to terrorist attacks, to global pandemics and the cost of living. It is the combination of solid local infrastructure with small, deeply rooted, and often unfunded groups that mobilises fastest and reaches the people most affected.
Martin Brookes of London Plus says that “Addressing emergencies in London is demanding. The scale and complexity of the city, as well as the huge range and diversity of its charities and community groups, require significant resources, knowledge, and information sharing. It also needs organisations with expertise in emergency response as well as charities and groups with vital local knowledge about communities who can apply this when an emergency strikes. And it needs funders involved throughout too – the work of funders in London, their responsiveness and willingness to flex and adapt in recent years, including during the pandemic, has been notable and valuable".
This meeting will hear about new initiatives to build the capacity and systems that prepare communities to be ready to face emergencies. We'll also discuss how funders can keep community resilience and readiness at the forefront of their minds through their current grant programmes.