As a response to COVID-19 we set up a food bank to support local people in financial need and have fed over 1,500 people in the community. On 9th June our foodbank became part of the Trussell Trust and was renamed to "Newham District Foodbank". If you would like to donate specifically to the foodbank please make a note of this with your donation. Our foodbank and all of our other work, detailed below, needs your support to enable us to support those in most need.

 Established in 2002, the Ascension Community Trust is a charity based in Custom House in East London. Through grassroots projects set up and run by members of our community, we provide imaginative local services to cover gaps in mainstream provision, particularly for the young, the elderly, and the marginalised. . Our projects include the popular and affordable Garden Community Café which works in innovative ways to bring the community together; provision for local young people through after school, football training and summer scheme programmes; and a well-established and respected twice weekly elder programme, Ascension Seniors. Today, the number of older people in Newham is continuing to rise, while local authority provision has fallen and it is highly challenging to attract funding for work with seniors. Could you support our work?

Why the community needs us
According to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation, over half of the Custom House population lives in the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the country and all of Custom House lives in the top 40%. Many of our residents face challenges due to the growing inequality, lack of education, poor housing, low wages and rising living costs. At Ascension Community Trust, we focus on helping the vulnerable and marginalised to break down these barriers and combat the inequalities they face.

Our impact on the community
We work with over 1,200 individuals a year, including children, young people and the elderly. Much of our work is delivered in partnership with other local organisations, schools, churches and charities. Our work contributes to: relief of poverty, hardship, loneliness and isolation; improved physical and mental health and wellbeing; community integration; and improved education and employability through targeted training and support.