Resilience in Action for Kensington & Chelsea

Aim

We want to prepare Kensington and Chelsea for extreme weather/climate events through local partnerships, practical action and timely support

Who are we, and what is our project about?

For over 60 years, the Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea has worked alongside residents, volunteers, community organisations and local partners to improve lives through volunteering, community action and practical support. 

Over the years we have represented our community and worked alongside emergency services, NHS planners, local authorities and other partners to strengthen how our borough prepares for and responds to emergencies.

Earlier this year, we launched our Climate Champions programme, delivered community gardening, growing and upcycling workshops, and developed practical heatwave emergency plans to help organisations prepare for rising temperatures.

Through this grant, we hope to expand our reach across the borough, helping more people (especially those most vulnerable to extreme weather) and local organisations prepare for and adapt to the growing impacts of climate change. 

The funding will also help us build the capacity needed to develop and sustain a network of local service providers, community organisations, resident groups and other partners. These relationships take time, trust and consistent engagement to develop, and are essential to creating a coordinated, community-led approach to resilience. By strengthening these connections and facilitating greater civic participation through our Community & Climate Champions forum, we can co-create and maintain practical resources that residents and organisations can rely on in times of need.

Why are we crowdfunding?

Kensington and Chelsea is a borough that has experienced more than its fair share of emergencies. While residents have consistently shown resilience in the face of difficult situations, we cannot continue to expect individuals to face increasingly complex climate challenges alone.

We are raising funds to ensure there is a coordinated, community-led approach to climate resilience, where residents, voluntary organisations, businesses and public services work together to prepare for extreme weather, support vulnerable neighbours and develop practical, long-term solutions that strengthen our communities.

How we’ll spend the money raise

The money raised through this campaign will contribute to our Climate Champions 2026–27 programme, helping us expand community-led climate resilience activities across Kensington and Chelsea.

In line with VCKC's approach to budgeting, approximately 44% (£2,200) will contribute towards the core organisational costs that make the programme possible. This includes premises, IT, communications, finance, governance and the staff coordination needed to manage partnerships, volunteers and project delivery.

The remaining 56% (£2,800) will directly support delivery of Climate Champions activities by commissioning and paying local people to lead community engagement and practical climate action. This includes:

• Delivering community gardening, growing and upcycling workshops.
• Developing a directory of local green spaces, cool and warm spaces, and other community resilience assets, working with partners such as Urbanwise and Meanwhile Gardens.
• Running community learning sessions that help residents understand climate risks, prepare for extreme weather and adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
• Building partnerships with local organisations, resident groups, businesses and public services to strengthen neighbourhood resilience.
• Developing practical guidance and resources that help community organisations prepare for climate-related emergencies.
• Supporting Climate Champions to connect neighbours, share trusted information and encourage local participation in climate resilience initiatives.

Every pound raised will strengthen our existing Climate Champions programme, enabling more local people to contribute their knowledge, skills and lived experience while building stronger, greener and more resilient communities across the borough.

How you can help

There are three simple ways to get involved and support our project:

1. Make a donation

Every pledge gets us closer to our goal. Early support can help build momentum and inspire others to give too.

2. Spread the word

Share our project with friends, family and your wider network. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed.

3. Volunteer with us

If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through the ‘Contact’ section using the subject "I want to volunteer my time or expertise" on our project page.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made