More than 60 environmental projects funded
Through the Wessex Water Foundation, we have awarded £72,000-plus to projects that aim to improve the environment.
This year’s successful applicants were selected by local panels of experts, including representatives of Wildlife Trusts.
Here are some of the projects we are supporting across the region:
Dorset
- Bournemouth-based charity Grounded Community have been awarded £1,500 to maintain and run their community garden and composting programme as part of their goal to create a closed loop system that benefits the environment.
- A grant of £1,500 will help The Lower Char Community Project to monitor the lower River Char and identify sources of pollution, while also investigating and implementing nature-based treatment solutions.
Bath and Bristol
- The Birch Collective in Bristol have received a £1,500 grant to reclaim a significant area of derelict allotments to create a wildlife-friendly orchard and soft fruit area, alongside nesting sites for birds and invertebrates.
- Transition Bath will use their grant of £1,000 to carry out their Eco Together project which will involve setting up eco groups in the Bath area. The aim of the groups will be to find sustainable solutions for energy, food, transport, waste and resources.
Wiltshire
- Sustainable Devizes will use their £330 award to fund a waste reduction demonstration pack, which will include sustainable goods such as reusable menstrual and continence products and washable nappies.
- Pewsey Parish Council will use their grant of £1,500 to restore a previously damaged section of river in the centre of Pewsey by replanting and utilising native marginal and aquatic plants.
Somerset
- Seed of Hope social enterprise group in Somerset have been awarded £1,500 to install a rainwater harvesting system for their community garden project, which aims to help local people with mental health problems through recovery-based therapeutic gardening.
- Friends of Yeovil Country Park will use their £750 grant to plant flowers and create a new pond at the park, which will benefit both local people and wildlife.
The Wessex Water Foundation is a multi-million-pound initiative, launched in June 2020, which provides a dedicated funding stream for projects across the region.
It is run in partnership with the Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Quartet Community Foundations and provides at least half a million pounds of funding every year.
The Foundation’s Environment Fund supports charitable and community activities across the region that aim to improve their local environment.
Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s head of community engagement, said: “We are pleased to support these wonderful projects and are looking forward to seeing how they help to transform communities and raise people’s appreciation of the local environment.
“We are delighted to be working once again with the Community Foundations in our region and independent community panel members to help us in the decision-making process, including representation from Wildlife Trusts and environmental experts.”
Find out more about the Wessex Water Foundation and stay up to date with our latest funding opportunities.