Southwark Council, United St Saviour’s Charity and British Land have today launched the joint Mayflower 400 community fund, which will support local projects celebrating the themes of migration, tolerance, enterprise and community, and which commemorate the 400^th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing from Rotherhithe to America.

We are inviting community groups, tenant and resident associations, faith based organisations, schools and arts, cultural and heritage organisations based in SE16, to consider how they could use the Mayflower’s heritage to create meaningful and exciting projects that enhance and highlight its stories for a local and international audience.

British Land is supporting the fund as part of its ongoing local investment and our commitment to ensure that the Canada Water Masterplan delivers a range of long-term benefits for those who live, work and visit here, including through supporting cultural and community events.

A total of £140,000 in funding will be available. People working on smaller activities and events can bid for up to £1,000, while bigger projects and events will be eligible for over £1,000. All initiatives must include a live event or activity to take place in the lead up to the anniversary of the Mayflower sailing in November 2020 and should also take place within the SE16 area or areas of Mayflower significance in the wider SE1 area.

Community workshops on the fund will be held in February 2019 and open to all; these will aim to help local groups understand the grant giving process and provide support in making applications. Dates will be announced here as soon as they are confirmed and you can contact us if you would like to be notified directly.

A global programme of events is being organised for the lead up to the anniversary, which will run from November 2019 to November 2020 and includes activities taking place across the UK, Netherlands and America. The Mayflower sailed from Rotherhithe, and it’s captain and many of its crew lived here, so SE16 will be at the centre of this major international celebration.

For more information about the Mayflower 400 fund, to see the application criteria and to apply for funding, visit: https://www.ustsc.org.uk/mayflower-400-grants-fund/