The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched the £900,000 Loved and Wanted Fund to strengthen community support and celebrate the city’s diversity. The initiative comes just days after a far-right rally in central London, as efforts to spread fear, hatred, and division grow both online and on the streets. The fund aims to demonstrate that London is, and will always remain, a city for everyone.
Through the fund, up to 15 community organisations will receive support to expand their work in connecting Londoners and providing advice and services. The new Loved and Wanted spaces will build on the efforts of charities, faith groups, and civil society organisations, offering dedicated areas where people from different backgrounds can come together, strengthen relationships, and break down social barriers.
These spaces will not only host community events but also improve access to essential services, including mental health support, employment assistance, and financial advice. By empowering local organisations, the initiative will make it easier for Londoners to engage with their communities and build stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods.
Alongside the fund, Sadiq Khan released a video celebrating London’s diversity, featuring a poem by Kareem Parkins-Brown. The message serves as a proud statement of London’s values and inclusivity, contrasting with divisive rallies and attempts to undermine the city’s multicultural character.
The fund and video form part of the wider Loved and Wanted campaign, launched in February to highlight that London’s greatest strength is its diversity. Since then, the campaign has worked with over 140 organisations across the city, distributing nearly £985,000 through the Government’s Community Recovery Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund. Recently, more than 200 community groups brought Londoners together during the Mayor’s Community Weekend.
Sadiq Khan stressed the importance of standing up for equality, inclusion, and mutual respect, pledging to continue working with community groups to ensure hate does not prevail. Deputy Mayor Dr. Debbie Weekes-Bernard added that the fund will leave a lasting legacy by empowering communities to break down barriers and improve access to opportunities.
Geethika Jayatilaka, CEO of London Plus, welcomed the initiative, highlighting that every Londoner deserves to feel valued and celebrated. She noted that the Loved and Wanted Fund represents a vital investment in building social cohesion, compassion, and inclusivity, ensuring that London continues to thrive as a place where all people feel loved and wanted.
