This page contains links to some organisations which the HPRA Committee believes may be of use and / or interest to its members. This information is likely to change from time to time, so please do use this
page as a resource. If you would like the Committee to consider adding other 'Useful Links', please let us know.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Please visit the Borough's website for all information about all Boroughwide matters: www.rbkc.gov.uk

The site contains information about planning, education, community & local life, to name but a few matters relevant to residents of the Borough.

The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation

More than 400 small local charities in the Borough work tirelessly to tackle issues such as children living in poverty (45% of children are living in poverty in the 4 most northern wards of the RBKC*), and old age loneliness (62% of Borough residents over the age of 65 live alone*). Most of these charities are
unknown to local people.

The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation links local residents and businesses to these charities, uniting the Royal Borough and making life better for all. It does this by raising awareness of the harsh contrasts that exist locally; by creating simple and effective ways for residents to support local charities and community groups; and by championing the work of small charities within the Borough. The Foundation's vision is of a Borough where no one is held back by lack of opportunity, where residents, schools and businesses work together to improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Following a resolution taken at the 2015 AGM, the Holland Park Residents' Association made a donation to the Foundation's "Summer Sparks" initiative. The donation comprised partly Association funds and partly funds collected at the AGM for this purpose.

To help, and to learn more about the Kensington and Chelsea Foundation, please visit www.thekandcfoundation.com.

(* statistics from the Foundation website, www.thekandcfoundation.com)

The Kensington Society

The Kensington Society strives to ensure that our part of London retains its magnificent heritage of buildings, parks and gardens alongside the best of contemporary architecture and design. The Society is very active in planning issues and is able to exert a real influence on planning decisions in the RBKC.

The Society also offers a programme of lectures and talks, which cover a range of topics of interest, and which allow Kensington residents an opportunity to meet their neighbours.

Please visit www.kensingtonsociety.org for more information about the work of the Society and about joining it.

The Kensington and Chelsea Forum

The Kensington and Chelsea Forum for Older Residents creates an environment in which the older residents of the Royal Borough can be part of the decisionmaking process, influencing policies that affect their lives. The Forum seeks to relieve elderly persons in Kensington and Chelsea and other London boroughs who are in need by reason of isolation, their financial circumstances, physical or mental health and by providing a framework of support for older people to help them remain healthy and independent.

To achieve its aims, the Forum holds public meetings on a range of topics with expert speakers, and organises events on government policies. It lobbies on many local issues such as health and social care in the community, education and leisure. It works in partnership with the RBKC and NHS on service planning and delivery, and takes part in local community events.

More information about the Forum can be found by visiting its website, which is www.kensingtonandchelseaforum.org.uk.

The Westway Trust

The Westway Trust was formed in 1971 when the A40 Westway flyover was built leaving 23 acres of derelict land. The Trust manages and regenerates this land on behalf of the local community.

The Trust offers education and training programmes and runs two popular sports and fitness facilities, whilst also promoting arts and culture. Working alongside the public and voluntary sectors, the Westway Trust seeks to improve the social and economic well-being of the North Kensington community. Through smart use of its land and resources, the Trust intends to realise the full potential of that community. If you would like to know more about the work of the Trust and / or to get involved in some way, please visit its website, www.westway.org.

The Friends of Holland Park

The Friends of Holland Park is a registered charity dedicated to the preservation, protection and improvement of Holland Park as a place of historic and ecological interest and beauty. The 55-acre park, owned by RBKC, offers tranquil woodlands in the north, historic buildings and formal gardens in the centre, and sports facilities to the south. There is an adventure playground and tots play area, as well as a restaurant and cafeteria.

Holland Park has a great history, based around Holland House, built in 1607. Holland House was bombed in World War ll, the remains are grade-1 listed and are meticulously conserved. We are fortunate today to enjoy not only what remains of the house, but many buildings from the estate, such as the old Summer Ballroom, Conservatory, Ice house and Old Dairy. The pleasure grounds, created by the Earls of Holland and then Ilchester, are the foundation of the grade-2 listed park we see today.

The Friends fund history tours, tree, bird and other wildlife walks and talks as well as lectures on subjects related to the park. There is an annual art exhibition in the Orangery each spring, a summer party and a Christmas concert. Guide books to the park are available in the Stable Yard reception office, as well as from The Friends’ website. The income generated funds much-needed projects in the park. By joining The Friends, you will add support to these improvements and you will receive 4 full-colour newsletters a year and a discount card for local businesses.

Please visit www.thefriendsofhollandpark.org to learn more.

The Arts Society Kensington Chelsea

The Arts Society Kensington Chelsea, founded in 1973 and affiliated to The Arts Society (formerly NADFAS), is a voluntary organisation meeting for quality lectures in the Kensington Central Library Lecture Hall, Phillimore Walk, every month from October to July. The Society is an independently registered charity with funds received via the Gift Aid scheme being used to support charities within the Borough normally associated with the young arts.

Members are brought together through a shared curiosity for the arts and artistic heritage, with a programme of lectures given by lecturers accredited to The Arts Society who share their specialist knowledge about the arts. Members also have the opportunity to join curated visits in and around London, as well as overseas trips.

Please visit theartssocietykensingtonchelsea.com to learn more.