Beyond formal services: how community connection & creativity build resilience

We’re proud to be continuing to work with Thrive LDN and King’s College London’s Centre for Society and Mental Health on the Grassroots Community Resilience Pilot, a project that recognises the vital role of small, community-led organisations in supporting Londoners affected by conflict, crisis, and displacement.

Launched in August 2025, the pilot follows our review of mental health and wellbeing resources for displaced and crisis-affected communities across London. The findings highlighted what many community groups already know: that powerful, protective work happens beyond formal services - around shared meals, through storytelling, creativity, and culture.

Through the pilot, twelve grassroots groups will receive small grants to continue or expand the work they already do to nurture connection and belonging. Together, their projects reflect the diversity and strength of community life in London, from campaigns and nature-based wellbeing programmes, to creative storytelling and inter-generational festivals.

Peace Collective supported the design and delivery of the pilot, convening the diverse panel that reviewed over 40 applications. The process brought together professional, community, research and lived-experience perspectives to ensure decisions were grounded, fair and reflective of London’s varied communities.

Over the coming months, we’ll be working with Thrive LDN and The Centre for Society and Mental Health to capture and share the stories of these twelve organisations - to highlight their impact, and to strengthen understanding of how grassroots leadership sustains community wellbeing across the city.

You can read Thrive LDN’s article to find out more on the pilot here.