TELCO (The East London Citizens Organisation) is the Founding Chapter of Citizens UK. We are 90 organisations in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham. We are fundraising to support local organisations that are delivering front line responses to coronavirus in their local communities in East London.

Examples of the types of support needed in the community include:  

· Hardship funds to support individuals and families through TELCO member organisations, including those who have recently lost their job, are homeless or have No Recourse to Public Funds.

· Providing food parcels for families in need, working with some of our member organisations as anchor institutions and places of help.

· Basic internet and IT equipment to enable people in some of our organisations to stay connected, access online education and reduce isolation & loneliness during the COVID-19 lockdown

During this crisis, we have boosted support for local organisations working on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis. This immediate response was made possible by the generosity of The Isla Foundation, who provided emergency funding for Citizens UK and our members. 

We need your support to continue our critical efforts. Here are examples of the initiatives you will be supporting in East London:

Hackney:

• St James, Clapton is delivering food parcels to elderly/vulnerable people & providing a hardship fund for those who have lost their job

Newham:

• Caritas Anchor House are supporting 140 single homeless adults isolating with food parcels, shelter and a safe place to be at this time.

• Shpresa Programme are running an online youth club providing activities to keep young people engaged and occupied during the lockdown 

Tower Hamlets:

• Darul Ummah Mosque have set up a food hub for vulnerable residents on a local estate

• St George in the East is supporting a community hardship fund

• E1 Community Church are providing online Art & Wellbeing classes 
  

Barking and Dagenham:

• On The Rock Ministries are providing emergency food packages to families through their football outreach project on the Marks Gate estate 

• Mums on a Mission are supporting single parent households with emergency food packages and educational resources for children during the lockdown
  

Redbridge:

• Ilford Salvation Army run a food bank and are providing food parcels to self-isolating homeless residents in their hostel, Malachi Place

• St Thomas of Canterbury has been mobilizing the Parish office to learn and reach out to most vulnerable within the congregation.
  

Waltham Forest:

• St Mary’s Walthamstow and Cornerstone Church are providing emergency food packages to 60 people including elderly and housebound