We are pleased to share that our “Love the Hill” work in Harold Hill has secured new funding from the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities programme. This support will enable us to continue to support residents for a further three years, building on the strong foundations already in place.
The programme is delivered in the Harold Hill area of Havering, where our team has been working alongside residents since 2021. Over that time, we’ve developed strong relationships with local people, community groups, and partners, all of whom are committed to improving the area and creating better opportunities for families and young people.
This new phase of funding will allow us to continue delivering a wide range of weekly activities for the community—including regular outreach sessions, coffee mornings, and opportunities for people to come together, connect, and support one another. Our Families team will lead much of this work, with support from our Young People team who will be delivering two positive activity sessions each week for young people.
Harold Hill is home to a strong and resilient community, with many residents valuing the sense of community spirit, the friendliness of neighbours, and easy access to green spaces. At the same time, the area faces real challenges, including poverty, limited opportunities, and concerns about safety and the local environment. We aim to respond to those challenges by supporting people to take an active role in shaping the future of their community.
Love the Hill fully reflects our guiding vision of creating communities where families and young people thrive and it is a key opportunity to put these words into action as we work closely with residents to support positive and, most importantly, long-term change for Harold Hill.
A key focus of the programme is to support residents to lead their own ideas and initiatives for change. This includes training and supporting volunteers, creating more opportunities for people of all ages to connect, and helping to improve shared spaces such as the high street and local green areas. Planned activities such as community gardening, walking groups, and local events will help bring people together and build a stronger sense of belonging.
Like much of what we do, young people will also play an important role. Through regular sessions and leadership opportunities, they will be supported to develop confidence, skills, and a positive sense of identity within their community.
Over the three-year period, the programme will also work towards establishing a resident-led community organisation. This will help ensure that the work can continue in the future, with local people taking increasing ownership of activities and decision making.
This funding marks an important step forward for Love the Hill. It recognises the dedication of local residents and provides the opportunity to build a stronger, more connected community where people feel supported, included and hopeful about the future.