BEST COMMUNITY SUPPORT DURING COVID-19
Gold : Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Park and Palace is one of the largest independent venues in the country . The venue delivers more than 250 events a year , including live concerts , world championship sport , theatre , comedy and exhibitions .
Known as the ‘ People ’ s Palace ’, its team of staff and volunteers have strived to support its local community . “ We got resourceful , creative and collaborative to provide what help we could , through some of the darkest hours of the past 18 months . We are proud when people tell us how important the venue has been to them in this time , and we have been humbled by the support they have shown us in return ,” says the venue .
Silver : East Wintergarden
Since 1987 , the Canary Wharf Group has transformed the docklands into a successful district , reclaiming a former industrial site and turning it into a place that aims to support economic growth , foster creativity and promote wellbeing . The Canary Wharf Group provides financial support , space and their employees ’ skills and time to schools , businesses and charities in the local community .
Over the past 10 years , the Canary Wharf Group has donated £ 23m in financial , in-kind and volunteering support to the local community . During the pandemic , the Canary Wharf Group has supported 33 projects , several of which took place at East Wintergarden . These projects included celebrating World Book Day virtually with hundreds of local primary school children , as well as hosting NHS blood donations and a pop-up vaccination centre .
Nominees in this category
• CCT Venues
• InterContinental London – The 02
Bronze : The Royal Horticultural Halls
Since opening in 1904 , the Royal Horticultural Halls have been central to many communities . For example , the Royal Horticultural Halls housed the Australian Forces during World War I and the Suffragettes throughout their campaigns . In January this year , the Lindley Hall opened as a vaccination hub , giving both staff and the venue on a non-commercial basis , to tackle the Covid-19 inoculation drive . The hub finished in early July , having recruited 1,414 volunteers and delivered over 30k vaccines to four Healthcare Trusts in Westminster . With the donation of a large venue , it was able to facilitate a quicker rollout and teams were able to vaccinate the homeless , refugees and the house-bound .