Since launching in December last year, we have been inspiring people and businesses to give their time, resources, and skills to make Greenwich a rewarding place to live and work.
Through our pro-bono support programme, we are matching community groups with the right partner, from small, independent businesses to international companies, so that they can receive the support they need to keep running their amazing services.
We believe that everybody has something meaningful to give. As such, getting involved in the programme can look different for every organisation. Here are five of our successful match stories for you to get inspired by.
One of the first community groups we were able to help was the Javan Coker Foundation (JCF) in Abbey Wood, dedicated to supporting children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs and their families.
A team of volunteers from Mace Group and their partners came to the centre to renovate the children’s playrooms, two offices and the gardens, so that the children and young people can play safely inside and outside all year round.
Three volunteers working hard to revamp the gardens
To get this done would have been quite expensive. Now Greenwich Giving introduced us to Mace and they brought in partners and amazing volunteers. They brought humans who were warm, supportive and helpful, and understanding.Esther, Co-founder of the Javan Coker Foundation
Working with the JCF has been amazing. Esther is truly inspirational. The work that she is doing is amazing. We’ve been able to come in and support this even in just a small way which has been absolutely brilliant.Sue, Head of Social Value at Mace
One of the things we stand for at Greenwich Giving is breaking down barriers between communities and corporations. Facilitating pro-bono stories like these, creates opportunities for volunteers to get to know the initiative closely and to directly see the positive impact it is making, sparking engaging conversations between staff and community members.
A Mace volunteer listens attentively to Esther explain the work they do at the Javan Coker Foundation
At Greenwich Giving, our expertise lies in knowing the local area and community needs well. That puts us in the unique position to connect organisations willing to give with little-known charity partners, leading to meaningful support that addresses real needs.
It has been really good working with Greenwich Giving. (...) They put us in touch with an organisation that (...) meets our values and we have got the same kind of objectives and we have been able to support them. It’s been really, really useful to have Greenwich Giving as that conduit between the two of us because I would never have found them on my own.Sue, Head of Social Value at Mace
Pro-bono support can be especially meaningful for organisations in Greenwich that are under-supported and digitally excluded, like the Somali Teaching Group (STG).
The STG is dedicated to improving the lives of the Somali community in Greenwich and as Mohamed, trustee and secretary, emphasizes, "the centre here is open to the community; they can come here, sit down, and chat." They are run by volunteers and have no funding and as such, they have been unable to renovate their facilities since 1996.
With the help of Match My Project, we connected them with the team from Amber Construction Services. Amber and partners sent some volunteers that worked diligently for over two days, providing the resources and materials necessary to renovate the STG’s old kitchen, transforming it into a new space for the community, all at no cost.
A volunteer is renovating the kitchen
From 1996, we've had this old and broken kitchen here, and Greenwich Giving have succeeded in finding someone to (...) set up this nice kitchen. So from now (on), it’s beautiful. People can come here, we will be happy. It’s an asset to the community. This is the best project we have had for more than 10 years. We are thankful and will never forget [this help]Mohamed, Secretary and Trustee of the STG
Mohamed stands proudly in the newly refurbished kitchen
Through our work, pro-bono support is reaching charities and community groups that would not be able to access help like this otherwise. As all communities in Greenwich deserve resources and support, we are committed to helping under-supported initiatives by connecting them with the right partners.
Both Amber and Mace got directly involved with the community, but giving can come in many forms and shapes. Donating resources, for example, can also be an effective way to support local communities.
In April 2025, we connected Kevin and Surjit from the GCDA, working hard to re-green the Woolwich Common Estate, with CGI, a global IT consultancy firm. The project received a generous donation of 100 trees and plants, which are now being planted in plots across the estate, next to streets and cars, and in previously neglected public gardens.
Surjit and Kevin smile into the camera in front of a red brick wall
Because of the donation, beautiful flowers and trees will brighten up the neighbourhood for years to come, bringing excitement for children and people of all ages. But not only will this improve the area’s wildlife diversity and aesthetics, Kevin is hoping that
It'll just make (people) more interested in where they are living so they will see something is happening and they can be involved in it. And over time, more people will be invested in the estate.
With small donations like this, companies and firms can support vital community projects and play a part in making Greenwich a rewarding place to live. As we have a close ear to the ground, we can make the most of your items and resources, be that old IT equipment, materials, or furniture, by finding a charity in need of these donations.
Beyond helping charities with donations and renovation projects, we also help communities by providing them with more (wo)manpower. Sometimes all a project needs to be successful is more hands to work on it.
The Tramshed, a community arts hub in Woolwich, needed some support in maintaining their building, so when Veolia, an international company offering environmental services, approached us looking for a community project to support, we matched them up. A team of volunteers took a day to paint the exterior wall of the building, so that community members, performers and guests alike can enjoy a freshly painted community centre.
Veolia Volunteers paint the exterior wall of the Tramshed
Similarly, Good Neighbours, a social club organising seasonal community events, asked us for some volunteers to help out at events over the weekend. We connected them with Pennington Choices, a property surveying and consultancy firm, and they send a team of staff members to make the event a booming success (which you can see here!).
Traditional volunteering can be a great way for firms and companies to get involved, to build up the team spirit and to disrupt the work routine by getting people out of the office and into a new space.
When organising volunteering days like these, Greenwich Giving makes sure that the work makes a real difference. Our pro-bono support is charity-led, so that the work delivered corresponds to requests and needs of the community rather than fulfilling corporate demands.
It is not just large corporations that can and should get involved in supporting their community. Small, independent businesses can equally give in meaningful ways, as Michael Crawford Hick’s story from the Disability Sports Network and Hugo Malir’s involvement from Spilt Milk Web Design show.
Michael wanted to expand his business by working with disabled sports groups in Greenwich. We connected him with METRO Judo Club, offering inclusive sessions for autistic children, and the Greenwich Powerchair Football Club.
Children are learning how to do Judo exercises guided by their coaches
Through this experience, Michael fostered positive relationships with community members that were able to recommend his services to others. When asked what advice he would give, he said:
Don't hesitate to get involved as you never know the friendships or opportunities you might come across during the time at an event.Michael from the Disability Sports Network
When Helen from the Bread Club London, offering free communal baking sessions, approached us about re-developing her website, we connected her with Hugo, who gave his professional advice on website design. From this initial consultation, the relationship developed into a paid opportunity for Hugo, who ended up taking on the website redesigning project for Helen - a win-win for both!
There are benefits of giving even for small independent businesses looking to get started and develop their market. At Greenwich Giving, we want to support businesses so that Greenwich can thrive and provide opportunities for all. Connecting businesses with communities to open up new avenues and possibilities is one of the ways in which we achieve that.
In conclusion,
Giving can come in many different forms and sizes: from sharing your expertise and skills to donating resources, or both, back to traditional volunteering days. Everybody has something to give.
Matching a charity with the right partner helps Greenwich groups and projects receive the support they need, free of charge, to keep serving their communities, making Greenwich a rewarding place to live.
If you or somebody you know has time, expertise, or resources to share to help Greenwich Communities thrive, we would love to hear from you!