Boris Johnson is hoping to encourage “thousands” of Londoners to volunteer their time and support projects which will improve the capital and help change lives.
On Thursday morning the Mayor launched Team London, a £4.5m project to encourage 10,000 people to volunteer their time to good causes.
Groups receiving funding include a project to help older people get to grips with technology and projects to create a ‘greener London’.
Speaking at City Hall Mayor Johnson said: “All across the capital, ordinary Londoners are making an extraordinary difference by volunteering their time. We want to harness this incredible goodwill and the generous philanthropy of the capital’s businesses, to make London a safer, cleaner, greener and stronger city.
“Evidence shows that when we get involved in our city, we all feel better about our city. I’m calling on everyone to sign up and be a part of Team London, so together we can make this the best big city in the world.”
The Mayor was joined for the launch by Samantha Cameron who predicted the scheme would “make a big difference to this city.”
The scheme is being supported by the Reuben Foundation which has contributed £2m with City Hall providing the remaining funding. The Foundation said it was “proud to have been able to initiate Team London and are delighted to see it gaining such wide support.”
The initiative is based on the “Cities of Service Model” scheme pioneered by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
In a video message played at the launch, Mayor Bloomberg said his city was “extremely proud that the approach to address pressing local challenges through high impact volunteer strategies has made its way across the pond, pioneered by Boris.”
Information on joining, supporting and benefitting Team London can be found on london.gov.uk
