TFN London

September 2016 impact report

In September 2016 TFN members came together for our annual event at the offices of Rathbone Greenbank. Together we were able to raise almost £30,000 for four projects, and we're pleased to tell you what your money helped to do: 

Bhola's Children were able to develop their physiotherapy department by employing a physiotherapist, enhancing rooms and buying equipment. This has improved the lives of 60 patients in the last year

They were also able to provide 34 boys with carpentry skills training. 6 of these boys demonstrated good aptitude for carpentry and have since enrolled in training schools in Dhaka. 

New Note Orchestra were able to launch a guitar group, New Note Strummers, in February 2017

The group reached an extremely vulnerable group of people, most of whom are homeless. Attending weekly guitar sessions has helped participants to remain sober, build friendships and reduce the risk of isolation. 

Between February and August 2017, 23 people attended the group. New Note's surveys show that each participant believed the group has helped with their recovery, and 83% said it has helped improve their physical and mental health. 

SEED pitched to develop their accredited training and work placement programme, helping unemployed and under-educated young people in South Africa find employment in the green economy. 

They faced a delay in beginning the programme due to complications in renewing the accreditation of the training. During the delay, they trained 10 graduates from previous years to become mentors and teachers for the current programme. 

Training for 20 young people began in August. A new contract with the government means that all participants are receiving R2,500 for the duration of the programme. 

SEED have also been able to build a classroom and catalyse start-up journeys for two youth-led eco-enterprises, which will create at least 8 job opportunities for graduates of the 2017 programme.

Bags of Taste expanded their healthy cooking courses out of Hackney into Islington. 

They ran 3 courses with TFN funding, working with the Islington Debt Coalition to refer students to the programme. 

73 people attended the courses. This has saved each household £1,698 per year on food bills and takeaway costs. 

TFN funding has helped Bags of Taste to gain further funding from Islington Community Fund and the Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund which will allow them to expand further into London, as well as into Hastings

A TFN member has also funded a part-time member of staff for one year, which has helped relieve pressure on the Managing Director. This has been a key point for Bags of Taste in their social franchising discussions and as they continue to scale. 

Thank you for joining us last September and for supporting four inspiring projects across the world. 

We hope you'll join us at another event soon!