Chelsea Foundation extends £75,000 homelessness grants

Chelsea Foundation is extending its Wrap Up Warm grants for a further year, committing a combined £75,000 of unrestricted funding to three charities that support people experiencing homelessness across south-west London and Surrey.

The funding continues existing partnerships with Barons Court Project, Vineyard Community and York Road Project — organisations originally supported through money raised by Chelsea Football Club and the Foundation's Wrap Up Warm campaign.

Laura Cordingley, Chief Executive of Chelsea Foundation, said: 'Homelessness is one of the most pressing challenges facing communities across London and Surrey, and is something we know is affecting people within the communities closest to us. Through our Wrap Up Warm grants, we are able to support organisations that are already making a tangible difference, helping them respond to immediate need while also creating opportunities for people to move towards greater stability and independence.'

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who visited Barons Court Project in 2024 and attended the Foundation's Christmas lunch at Stamford Bridge in 2025, backed the extended grants. 'Homelessness is something I've always felt really passionate about, so it's brilliant that Chelsea Foundation is supporting such important work in our local communities,' Colwill said.

Founded in 2011, Richmond-based Vineyard Community supports around 7,000 people each year through homelessness support, casework, foodbank provision and community drop-in services. The grant will fund expanded mental health support and a new Community Essentials Hub due to open later this year.

Barons Court Project, established in 1985, is the only dedicated day centre of its kind in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. Its grant is funding conversion of a loft into an art studio and group work room. CEO Michael Angus said: 'The Chelsea Foundation were our first significant funder when we launched an appeal last year to undertake major building works at our centre. The additional grant will ensure we can fit out our new spaces beautifully.'

York Road Project, which works with rough sleepers in Woking and surrounding areas, will use its funding to focus on mental health, life skills and longer-term independence for clients. Fundraising Manager Richard Eyres said: 'We're absolutely delighted that the Chelsea Foundation are extending our funding into 2027. A client wrote earlier this month that "YRP saved me from homelessness". This would not have been possible without Chelsea Foundation's support.'

The grants form part of Chelsea Foundation's stated strategy of delivering hyper-local impact in partnership with organisations already embedded within south-west London and Surrey communities.