£40k handed out to groups delivering support projects
A fund that helps community projects reduce carbon emissions and support people in need has awarded £40,500 in grants to 10 local organisations in the Bath area.
Community-owned Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) develops renewable energy projects and is set up to provide community benefits.
For the tenth year running, BWCE has given a portion of its surplus income from renewable energy generation to the independently run BWCE Fund to benefit local communities.
Quartet Community Foundation administers the grant programme on behalf of the BWCE Fund.
Local charitable and community organisations will use the grants on a range of essential projects intended to:
■ Cut carbon emissions;
■ Reduce energy bills and waste;
■ Help with the cost of living crisis by tackling fuel poverty.
Sophie Hooper Lea, chair of trustees for the BWCE Fund, said: “Like so many of us, local charities are becoming more environmentally conscious and want to play their part in reducing carbon emissions in their organisations and local communities.
“The BWCE Fund provides funding for climate-friendly projects, which often has the added benefit of saving money as organisations face soaring costs due to inflation and the cost of living crisis.
“Since 2015, the BWCE Fund grant programme administered by Quartet Community Foundation has awarded 101 grants worth over £310,000. Those grants have all gone to local organisations doing vital work to benefit our communities and the environment.”
Angela Emms, philanthropy manager at Quartet Community Foundation, added: “Charities are increasingly feeling the ongoing impact of rising costs and demand. We’re delighted to continue to work with the BWCE Fund to award these grants to groups across the B&NES area.
“The increased support provided through the BWCE Fund enables these projects to protect the environment while enabling people to reduce their fuel bills and energy consumption in a low carbon way.”
The 10 B&NES projects offered funding are:
■ £5,000 to Bath Community Kitchen to tackle food waste and poverty by providing free meal events in the areas of highest deprivation in Bath, using surplus food from local suppliers;
■ £3,755 to Bath Share & Repair to take their “HOW TO Reduce Waste Project” into the rural schools that their Repair Cafes serve in those locations;
■ £2,100 to Bishop Sutton Village Hall to reduce gas energy use by introducing new thermostats that can adjust the heating in different zones in the hall by local or remote control;
■ £4,500 to Climate Hub Bath and North East Somerset to support an exciting and expanded programme of activities and events in 2024 and to support their continued growth and development as an organisation;
■ £5,000 to Cycle Chippenham to create a cycle path as a cut-through between two dead-end roads, using some unused land. This grant covers the critical first steps of the process;
■ £750 to Freshford & Limpley Stoke Home Energy Group to purchase a thermal imaging camera to support home energy surveys;
■ £4,900 to Friends of Marksbury School PTA to contribute towards the cost of a new low-carbon air-toair heating system and energy education programme;
■ £4,500 to Genesis Trust to provide energy-saving items for people affected by poverty and disadvantage to be distributed by Bath Foodbank and Life Projects;
■ £5,000 to More Trees for Bath & North East Somerset Funding to insulate their new hub in Twerton. This building will become their HQ and provide space for tree seed processing, workspace, training, networking for staff and volunteers, and education, including schools;
■ £5,000 to Transition Bath toward the cost of a freelance worker who helps develop the organisation’s plans and strategies, grow projects, recruit volunteers, organise events, and support fundraising.
Grainne Moher, from Genesis Trust Bath, said: “We are delighted to receive a BWCE grant this winter to help us distribute vital items to help people keep warm during the colder months. Items will be distributed through Bath Foodbank and Life Projects, supporting people in crisis.
“We are keen to supply items that will be most useful to individuals and families instead of supplying a standard ‘kit.’ We are working with local suppliers wherever possible, and the grant will help provide items such as hot water bottles, flasks, solar chargers, hand warmers, hats/scarves/gloves and blankets. Thank you very much to BWCE for this vital support.”
Richard Higgs, from More Trees Bath & North East Somerset, said: “This funding is extremely welcome as it means we can insulate our new hub to a high standard, saving us costs and, significantly, keeping our carbon budget low.
“The new hub will be our HQ and is central to our work in growing climate-resilient trees across Bath and North East Somerset in places that greatly benefit local communities. Our volunteers will be pleased to have a warm, cosy base that saves energy.”