Covid-19: Our responsibility as a funder

In response to the covid-19 outbreak, London Sport has committed to adopting the below principles as set out by London Funders to support our funded partners as best we can during this exceptionally challenging time.

We, along with a group of funders, recognise that the covid-19 outbreak is an exceptional event that will have an impact on civil society groups, and want to offer reassurance that we stand with the sector during this time.

We wish to be as helpful as possible during the coming weeks and months so that civil society groups can focus on the vital work of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

We understand that there will be times when staff and volunteers will not be available, when beneficiaries may need services to be provided in different ways, or when systems need to be flexible to ensure that needs are met.

If your community, services or organisation are affected by the covid-19 outbreak, and you receive grant funding from us, we are committed to:

• Adapting Activities - we recognise that you may experience difficulties achieving some of the outputs or outcomes we agreed for your grant during the outbreak, and would like to be able to maintain our grant payments to you at originally-agreed levels during this period, so please have a conversation with us if you are affected in this way
• Discussing Dates - we don't want to add pressure, so if you think you will struggle to meet a reporting deadline please get in touch with us so that we can agree a more realistic time for you to get things to us wherever possible
• Financial Flexibility - we know you may need to use your funding to help cover sickness, purchase equipment, or delivery services differently, and we will be reasonable if you need to move money between budget headings to ensure your work can continue; and,
• Listening To You - we are here if you want to talk to us about the situation you're facing, but we'll wait for you to call us so that these conversations are at the right time for you.

We also recognise that there may be further shocks to the system caused by covid-19 that may impact on your other income streams, or require a more urgent response from funders.

London Funders have committed to publishing any news on emergency funding at here so you can see all available programmes in one place.

Physical activity remains an important part of keeping London happy and healthy, and we remain committed to supporting all of our partners to help physical activity and sport to take place across the capital.

We also recognise that people's health and wellbeing is all of our primary concern at this moment, and pledge to provide whatever support we can to our partners and London's wider physical activity sector at this time.

If you are, or feel you may be, impacted by funding from London Sport please contact grants@londonsport.org to talk through any concerns you hold.