Project Overview
KCSC is building a borough-wide network of Wellbeing and Resilience Mentors (WARM) within Kensington and Chelsea’s Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). The network will play a key role in strengthening the community response to financial crisis, hardship and poverty.
Up to 15 grassroots local VCS organisations will each receive £500 to support their participation in the WARM network. This will include completing City and Guilds endorsed training in money guidance and actively participating in networking and learning opportunities.
Purpose of the Grant
The WARM microgrant is designed to:
- Develop a network of trained Wellbeing and Resilience Mentor organisations across the local sector.
- Equip organisations to deliver more dignified, inclusive, safe and effective responses to financial crisis.
- Strengthen pathways to advice and wraparound support through effective signposting and referrals.
- Support shared learning, data collection and collaboration across the local sector.
What the Grant Funds
Each organisation will receive a £500 microgrant to resource staff or volunteer time to participate in WARM activities, enabling attendance at training, learning and networking events.
This is to cover participation from 1 September 2025 – 28 August 2026.
Key Requirements for Participation
To be eligible, organisations must:
Be a registered member of Kensington and Chelsea Social Council.
Regularly have conversations about money with residents at risk of financial hardship or poverty.
Enable at least one member of staff or volunteer to complete E-learning covering the skills, behaviours and technical knowledge required to be a City & Guilds recognised Money Guider
Participate in peer learning, networking and knowledge sharing coordinated by KCSC.
Have a constitution or set of written rules.
Have a bank account registered in the organisation’s name.
Adhere to Safeguarding Policies, particularly if working with children or vulnerable adults.
Shared Principles
Participating organisations should demonstrate commitment to the following principles:
- ANTI-POVERTY: No one in Kensington and Chelsea should be unable to afford their minimum needs.
- DIGNITY: Integrating dignity into service provision is a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
- SAFETY: Guests, volunteers and staff deserve safe, effective services and environments.
- COLLABORATION: Addressing the root causes of poverty requires collective community action.
- EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE: Our work will be led by the best available evidence.
How to Apply:
Applications are currently open and close on Monday 18 August at 10am.
Join us from 3.30pm-5pm on Thursday 7 August for a session with KCSC and the Money and Pensions Service to find out more, including a tour of the E-learning suite. Click here to register.
Email Lucy via [email protected] with any questions.