• Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
• Tuesday March 19 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Wessex Water partnership offers grants for community environment projects

Wiltshire Community Foundation is partnering with Wessex Water to offer Wiltshire environment project grants.

The Wessex Water Environment Fund will fund groups or charities that engage their local community in restoring, maintaining or enhancing their natural environment.

“Priority will be given to initiatives that save water or improve sustainability and local biodiversity”, said Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s head of community engagement.

“The grants will also be targeted at organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference,” she added.

“Groups eligible are those with charitable aims, registered charities, and community interest companies with an annual income of less than £500,000. Schools and parish councils can apply if they can demonstrate community benefit to their project.”

Grants of £2,000

Grants of up to £2,000 can go towards project costs including equipment, salaries and overheads.

The fund is part of the utility company’s charitable foundation, which provides a dedicated stream of funding for the voluntary sector.

The Wessex Water Foundation plans to provide at least half a million pounds of funding every year to support community projects, local environment projects, debt advice and charities helping those who are suffering the consequences of poverty through low income or unemployment.

Previous grant-funded projects

Previous recipients include Marden Valley Trust, which used a £1,500 grant to commission a water vole study and plant Rowan trees at Abberd Brook. The study found evidence of water voles, whose population is in decline in the UK.

The trust planted Rowan trees along the brook to cool the water temperature in summer and provide a haven for food sources to further encourage the population. It has also built diversions in the stream to improve its flow and oxygenation.

Treasurer Andrew Jones said: “The grant from Wessex Water, I think, has already helped us get two other grants, it just gives us a bit more credibility that we’ve been funded, and not just funded from public funds I think that’s quite important, too, when we go to Calne Area Board or Calne Town Council for some funding in the future.”

Hilperton Allotment Association was awarded £652 to enhance a natural wildlife area on its site for the wider community to enjoy.

It bought observation nest boxes, educational material including identification posters to stimulate interest in wildlife and highlight the threat it is facing and spring flowering bulbs to provide a better environment for bees.

Sustainable Devizes used its £330 grant to buy a vintage suitcase and pack it with sustainable sanitary products as well as reusable nappies and other environmentally friendly items to take to events to highlight what is available.

Group member Liz Read said: “The grant was invaluable. Many of the people we have spoken with were genuinely interested to learn about alternatives to single use available to them and went away inspired to try these options out.”

Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said: “This is the fourth year of our partnership with Wessex Water and each time we run this programme we see some wonderfully innovative projects that demonstrate the passion people have for the natural environment in their community.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what will emerge this time round.”

Applications are open until May 17.

Pictured: A water vole by Peter Trimming published under Creative Commons licence

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