15 December

Introducing The Lord Mayor’s Appeal Charity Partners for 2026

The Lord Mayor’s Appeal has announced the inspiring charities it will work with over the next year.

This year, the Appeal bids a fond farewell to MQ Mental Health Research as the three-year charity partnership comes to a close, while continuing its journey with Homewards and welcoming two new partners.

It will continue to support Homewards, the flagship homelessness initiative from The Royal Foundation. Homewards empowers local communities to develop long-term, sustainable strategies to reduce homelessness, combining innovation, collaboration and compassion to create lasting change.

The Lord Mayor’s Appeal also welcomes two new charities: the Combined Cadet Force Association and the West Ham United Foundation – The Foundry.

West Ham United Foundation – The Foundry

The Foundry is the West Ham United Foundation’s new community hub in Beckton, Newham – the heart of East London and the club’s historic home. Opened in October 2025, it will deliver more than 35 programmes in education, employment, health, youth engagement, and football development, supporting over 60,000 people of all ages and abilities each year. With spaces dedicated to fitness, wellbeing, entrepreneurship, and a community kitchen offering free meals, The Foundry is more than a building – it is a place of opportunity, inspiring better futures and strengthening communities. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal is proud to support this transformative initiative through funding and connections.

Combined Cadet Force Association

The Combined Cadet Force Association is a national charity dedicated to supporting the ideals and activities of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The CCF is a national youth organisation, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, and operating in schools across the UK. Open to 12–18-year-olds, it builds confidence and leadership through practical training, adventure, and real-world skill development – from teamwork and discipline to resilience and responsibility. With continued investment, the charity will support the expansion of the CCF to more than 20 schools across the City, giving thousands more young people the chance to fulfil their potential. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal is proud to support this initiative through funding and partnerships, helping to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Although our formal partnership with MQ has now concluded, this is far from the end of our shared mission. MQ will continue to work with The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, particularly through workplace mental health initiatives such as the This is Me network.

Read more about our Charity Partners in our Impact Report 2025/26 here.