The East End Community Foundation (EECF) is delighted to announce that BPL has reaffirmed its commitment to the East End by backing Phase II of the Life Chances campaign, with a generous pledge of £120,000 over the next three years.
This ongoing support exemplifies a shared dedication to tackling urgent social challenges across East London, where poverty and inequality rates remain among the highest in the country. Furthermore, Charles Berry, Founding Director of BPL, has joined the Life Chances Leadership Council, adding a strategic voice to drive the initiative forward.
Launched in 2021 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent cost-of-living crisis, the Life Chances campaign represents EECF’s vision for long-lasting change. In this new phase, BPL partners with EECF to address critical needs in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Newham – communities where child poverty exceeds 50%, unemployment remains high, and nearly half of the senior population lives in poverty.
For more than 30 years, EECF has been dedicated to connecting companies, individuals, and local authorities with grassroots charities to make a profound impact on London’s most underserved communities. With over £30 million distributed since 1990, EECF’s efforts have enabled transformational projects to address complex issues in these areas. The Life Chances campaign, as part of this mission, aims to create both immediate support and sustainable solutions to improve mental and physical health, expand digital inclusion, and reduce pensioner poverty by facilitating easier access to benefits.
By March 2025, EECF’s Life Chances campaign aspires to reach 10,000 people through its multi-faceted programs, including placing over 300 young individuals in jobs, extending internet access to 600 families, and securing £1 million in additional benefits for pensioners. With BPL’s continued support, EECF is equipped to expand its impact and demonstrate the power of collaboration in addressing inequality and building brighter futures for East End residents.
We are incredibly grateful to BPL for its continued support going into the Phase II of our Life Chances Campaign.”, says Sally Bateson, Life Chances Campaign Director at EECF. “BPL’s generosity and commitment will help us to continue creating life-changing opportunities for young people, isolated older people and those facing digital barriers. Together, we are working to ensure the East End thrives, empowering those who need it most. We appreciate BPL’s partnership and look forward to the positive impact we can achieve together.”
“We are delighted to be at the table once again, reaffirming our commitment as a campaign partner for the next three years.”, says Matthew Graham, Compliance Director and Chair of the Charity Committee at BPL. “BPL has been involved since the Life Chances campaign was first launched in 2021, and the synergy between our philanthropic priorities and the vital work of the EECF is clear. Its approach to pulling resources and supporting hyperlocal organisations like those in Tower Hamlets aligns perfectly with what we believe in. We’re proud to be providing support to address the social needs that exist within local communities and helping drive real impact on the ground.”
BPL’s Founding Director, Charles Berry, also adds: “I’m delighted to join the Leadership Council for the EECF’s Life Chances campaign, to help promote its vital work and meet the ambitious fundraising target that it has set itself. The EECF’s model, to bring together a diverse range of supporters under one campaign and channel funding to local partners on our doorstep, is one which I wholeheartedly support.”
Through this impactful partnership, EECF and BPL are working to ensure lasting positive outcomes for East London’s communities, creating pathways to opportunity and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
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