Peabody Community Foundation annual report 2021/22

This year has been a difficult one for many people, and PCF has been working hard to help people boost their income, develop skills and aspirations, build engaged communities and improve wellbeing.

From food pantries to job fairs, and enterprise schemes to community leader initiatives, the broad range of programmes delivered in partnership continue to have a positive impact across our communities. This year also saw the introduction of more local plans, co-creating programmes with local people.

The foundation’s £6.9million investment in the year helped us make a positive impact in four broad ways:

• Building engaged and active communities; helping people make the most of their lives through active citizenship, catalysing supportive networks and community-led projects.
• Boosting income; helping people to gain well paid, secure work, progress within employment and reduce their debts.
• Developing skills and aspirations; supporting access to, and achievements within, education and training, giving people more knowledge about opportunities and boosting their confidence.
• Improving mental and physical health; enabling people to be active and fit, develop their resilience and improve their overall wellbeing.

Our key achievements for 2021/22 included:

• £1.09million in grants awarded to community organisations who support our residents as a part of their work
• 579 residents gained qualifications to boost their careers through PCF activity
• 105 social value action projects delivered through our Community Leaders Programme.
• 788 community and Peabody employee volunteers gave time to make a difference in our communities.
• 191 customers were awarded apprenticeships through our supply chain while working with colleagues across the Peabody Group.
• 185 businesses received enterprise support and resources.

Highlights from the year include reopening the newly renovated Moorings Sociable Club in Thamesmead, and strengthening our local partnerships with Islington Giving, London Community Foundation, and One Southwark.  

Stephen Burns, Peabody’s Executive Director Care, Inclusion & Communities said: “The work of our Peabody Community Foundation changes lives and this year it has played a vital part in supporting our communities through the cost-of-living crisis. Our approach to working in communities is going from strength to strength and we’re looking ahead to a new phase of our work after joining together with Catalyst. We will continue to support communities and residents to become healthier, wealthier and happier, while working with our partners to innovate and adapt to make the greatest difference possible in our communities.”