Ros Jenkins, the Communications and Engagement Manager for the charity explains, “Photos can really bring the great work these groups do to life, helping to raise more donations and support. But small charities can’t afford to have a professional photographer on standby all the time! So, we decided to do the next best thing and give staff and volunteers from these groups the skills to take great photographs themselves.”

Reportage photography is the skill of taking a photo that tells a story – or that brings a story to life; powerful photographs, full of meaning and emotion. Flaviana Manta from RCCT (Romanian Culture and Charity Together) said, “I loved this project – it was a privilege meeting everyone and Niaz was a wonderful person, teaching skills that are really valuable.”

Some of the participants plan to put their new skills to the test straight away by entering Harrow Photographer of the Year competition. The theme this year is ‘This is our Story’, so alongside their photos, people are being asked to describe the story or memory behind the images. This could be something creative or simply a striking image that is important to the person taking the photo. Anyone is able to enter – even those using smartphone cameras. The deadline for entries is 1st August via the website www.harrowgiving.org.uk/photographer

Community Hubs have made a huge difference to people across the borough over winter, offering not only warmth, but often food, friendship, health checks and even exercise and mental health support. Rachel Wright, from Harrow Giving said, “we realised that actually, the impact of the warm hubs is as much about tackling social isolation and poor health as simply providing winter warmth, so we are delighted that the HBBP has offered this additional funding to keep some of the hubs going over the summer months, especially as heat waves are just as challenging to vulnerable residents as winter cold!”

Visit www.harrowgiving.org.uk/hubs to find out which hubs are running near you, search by date or location and see what’s on offer. You can also view the video to see five of the hubs in action.

The full list of hubs to receive continuation funding is:

African Cultural Association
Carib and Co Brunch CIC
Firm Foundation
Harrow Association of Disabled People
Harrow Carers
Horizon Youth and Community Action
Hotspot Community CIC
My Yard
North Harrow Community Library (NHCL)
Oshwal Association of UK – North West Area
Pinner Synagogue
RCCT CIC
Resourceful Women’s Network
The Disability Foundation
The Romanian and Eastern European Hub

Entrants could win £250 – split between themselves and a local charity of their choice, as well as a place in the autumn exhibition.

Last year, the competition was won by Peter Keeble, whose brilliant photograph of Wealdstone ‘More In Common Than What Divides Us’ wowed the judges. The ‘People’s Choice’ winner was Bill Chalmers, with ‘Sunset over Newton Park’ – voted for by visitors to the Harrow Giving tent at the summer community fairs. 

The competition isn’t just for adults – young people 18 or under will compete for the title of Harrow Young Photographer of the Year. Last year some of the entries for Young Photographer could have even given the adults a run for their money! 

Last year was brilliant – we had such a diverse range of photos, and it really felt like a feel-good celebration of Harrow. This year we are challenging people to enter photos that tell their story – perhaps a place that has special significance to them, or the community that made them who they are.

The deadline for submissions is 1st August,  Take a look at last year’s winning photographs, find guidance and support to help you to take a great photo and enter the competition on our website.

Last week, we brought over 100 people from small organisations and stakeholders such as funders, policy makers and politicians together to learn and share ideas. Four organisations ran workshops at the event, including the Josh Hanson Trust, whose session called, ‘Trauma Informed Art: using art to support mental health and wellbeing’, saw participants introduced to a powerful technique using drawing that they could use in their own lives, or when supporting members of the community.

We have also produced a film, ‘Small Charities Are Brilliant’ to share with the public, showing some of the great things happening across our borough.

Take a look at our Small Charity Week page for the video – and some great clips from the event.

Tickets for the lottery are just £1 (of which 60p goes to good causes in Harrow) and there’s a top prize of £25,000 every week.

New charities and community organisations joining Harrow Wins during May can also sign up for free printed resources to help get their fundraising off to a flying start. 

Some groups have used the funds they’ve raised through Harrow Wins to bolster existing services, making up for shortfalls in other funding streams. Marilyn Norman, from Mind in Harrow, said, “we have used funds raised through Harrow Wins to support Harrow’s only Mental Health Helpline and Information Service – helping thousands of people every year.”

Other groups have used the funds to run extra activities. Duncan Wakeling from 13th Roxeth Scout Group said, “we have been involved with the Harrow lottery for a while now and the income generated for little effort by us is amazing. We have used the funds raised to support many of our activities including Sailing and camping.”

It can be really hard to raise ‘core’ funds for community groups – the essential yet less exciting costs that underpin all the work that groups do. Chandos Park Community Group have used the steady income from Harrow Wins to help with expenses such as printing and laminating of flyers for events, as well as refreshments for volunteers. 

There are 77 groups currently registered with Harrow Wins representing a huge variety of different causes in the borough. But Rachel Wright, from Harrow Giving, would like to see this increase: “We are seeing organisations who’ve signed up just 15 supporters raising £700 per year! In particular we’d love to see more school PTAs and Scout and Guide groups getting involved.” 

Buy a ticket to enter the prize draw, or read more about how to sign up as an organisation.