A West London charity that supports more than 2,000 people in one of the country's most deprived areas is at risk of closure unless it raises £100,000 within two months.
Nova's critical funding appeal
Nova is a grassroots community organisation based in Notting Dale, North Kensington, the area where the Grenfell Tower fire occurred. For over 40 years, it has provided vital support to some of the region's most vulnerable residents, including in the aftermath of the tragedy. The award-winning charity now faces an uncertain future due to the loss of contracts, increased demand for its services, and rising operational costs.
Nova has launched an online fundraiser through JustGiving to raise the necessary funds. Lizzie Cho, Director of Nova New Opportunities, said: "We are facing an existential moment. Demand for our services has never been higher, and we know that for many of the people we support, there is nowhere else to go. We have taken every step we can to adapt, reduce costs and protect our frontline work — but we cannot do this alone."
Impact on the community
In 2025, Nova supported 2,333 people, with over 91 per cent of participants from Black or minority ethnic communities. The charity offers adults advice and advocacy on housing, job hunting, and other issues, as well as adult education and mentoring for young people and children.
Matthew Barnett, Head of Children, Young People and Families, warned of the consequences of closure: "It will leave those 2,000 people with nowhere to go. It will leave young people facing an education gap with no additional support for education. It will leave parents or carers, many of whom are single or low-income, with increased family pressures."
Notting Dale is the second most deprived ward within Kensington and Chelsea, where 70 per cent of homes are social housing. The area also ranks within the 10 per cent most deprived wards in England.
Cho added: "This appeal is about more than sustaining a charity. It is about protecting a trusted lifeline for a community that continues to face significant challenges. Without urgent support, services that people rely on every day could be lost."
