CVA aims to champion Croydon VCS groups, small or large, and support them to deliver quality services rather than deliver ourselves.
This year we brought together more than 60 groups through partnership bids and delivery.
Active Community Hub
Supported by Hammerson’s and London Sport, CVA opened the Active Communities Hub in Centrale Shopping Centre in 2021, aiming at providing sport and physical exercise free at the point of access for the most vulnerable groups in Croydon, who wouldn’t normally attend leisure centres or gyms. The ACH has offered a safe, accessible space for over 400 participants taking part in a variety of activities delivered by 11 delivery partner from Bollywood dancing to table tennis, from Tai-chi to Thai boxing.
This Girl Can
Over 465 women participated in a range of fitness activities offered by CVA with 79% classed as inactive or fairly active before joining the sessions. 58% were from ethnically diverse backgrounds. 24 local delivery agencies were involved in running the courses with us.
With their existing strong relationships with the local community and their links to trusted delivery partners and community organisations, having CVA as the delivery lead was vital to the success of this project. (London Sport)
We Stand Together
We Stand Together uses sport as a tool to engage refugees and asylum seekers, improve their physical and mental health and support their integration in wider community life. This year, over 800 refugees and asylum seekers participated in over 18 different activities.
This year 25 volunteer activators with lived experience were recruited and trained to volunteer and support the We Stand Together programme, planning and delivering activities, welcoming new participants and developing case studies.
My Ends
This Greater London Authority 2-year funded project brings together 4 consortium partners (CVA, Palace for Life, PJ's Community Services and Croydon BME Forum) and more than 9 delivery partners (including Mentivity, P4YE, Finesse Foreva, HOPE programme, Release Your Moves, Respect The Game, Emerge Worldwide, Walk With Me UK, Parent Ambassadors Programme, Justice For Jermaine Foundation) to work with young people in the London Road area through engaging activities and services.
In year one we supported more than 1,500 young people with a 365 days, evening and weekend approach, through mentoring, dance, sport, family support and more. My Ends contributed to 25% of local good community stories this financial year through events such as "Cut It Out" and "Croydon Has Talent".
Croydon Carnival
A free summer carnival on London Road in August 2021 celebrating all that is special about West Croydon: unique diversity of food, religion, and culture stepping forward in harmony, organised in collaboration with the London Road Business Association and sponsored by My Ends. Full of family fun, featuring a colourful parade, tasty street food from around the globe, a kids' zone and community stalls, a live music stage with cultural dance and community performances, DJs and young emerging artists.
Youth Engagement. Croydon: One Postcode
This project supported young people to take the lead in challenging youth violence, using social action to bring them together around a programme of issue-based and personal development activities. Our Youth Engagement Team of 25 young people heard from their peers and local police creating social media and a film on 'The Police and The Force'.
COVID Awareness Project
Commissioned by the South West London NHS, this project was about raising awaress of the benefits of COVID19 vaccination in the community, with a focus on areas and communities that had a low vaccine intake. Our team of 8 amazing sessional workers, had thousands of conversations with residents on the street, at food markets, outside shops and schools, and at local community events, from June 2021 to April 2022.