At the Junior League of London (JLL), we believe that women can serve as catalysts for change through volunteer action and advocacy that addresses our community’s most pressing needs.

The JLL serves as a conduit to these opportunities. We offer members the chance to develop civic leadership skills and apply their talents to make a meaningful impact in communities that need them the most.

A Focus on Issues

The JLL is focused on addressing the most urgent needs within our community. Some of the issues we have tackled include homelessness, environmental concerns, social exclusion of the elderly, special needs of disabled people, and domestic violence, as well as increasing access to and appreciation of the arts for London residents.

While our work evolves in response to the challenges within our community, our current focus is on breaking the poverty cycle and alleviating its effects. This translates into action across three impact areas:

• Homelessness

  Our members provide year-round assistance to soup kitchens and drop-in centres that cater to homeless individuals and families. Volunteers assist with the set-up and serving of meals and spend time interacting with guests. They also help sort food bank donations and collect warm coats for those in need. Members support women and children at refuges for people experiencing domestic abuse or modern slavery, or who have mental health needs.

• Education and Employment

Our education and employment programmes focus on improving outcomes for local children and disadvantaged adults. We provide books, literacy tutoring, arts and crafts programmes and mentoring for young children. JLL volunteers also facilitate social mobility initiatives through life skills development courses, mentoring and job interview preparation. Through our partnerships with Smart Works and Suited & Booted, we support low-income Londoners trying to re-enter the workforce. Each year, as part of the JLL’s Little Black Dress Initiative, our members leverage their personal networks to run clothing drives and fundraising campaigns.

• Holiday Hampers

Holiday Hampers is the JLL’s signature community project and longest-running community programme. Each year since 1996, our members have sourced gifts, food, toiletries and other essentials to create custom-made hampers for vulnerable Londoners during the holiday season.

Through thousands of hours of volunteer shifts with our Community Partners and serving more than 1,000 Londoners each year through our Holiday Hampers programme, our members continue to be a force for good.