Earlier this year, we launched our Customer and Community Grants scheme to give money back to those in our region who need support the most. We’re pleased to introduce the smaller charities and community groups our community panel has chosen for the first round of Level 2 funding support, totalling £89,500.
Our Community Grants are split across two levels to support different-sized charities and volunteer-led organisations across our region. We recently announced the UK-registered charities hand-picked for Level 1 funding in 2021.
Under Level 2, a one-off grant of £1–8k towards work that supports our customers’ communities can be applied for by:
- Smaller registered charities
- Non-registered charities
- Community groups
To allow enough time for us to appreciate each applicant’s aims and build partnerships that will support the important work of those which receive a grant, we’re awarding Level 2 funding in three separate rounds.
What’s the Community Grants scheme?
Many of our customers and communities have been affected by the impact of COVID-19. We recognise how vital the work of charities and grassroots, volunteer-led community projects has been during this unpredictable time.
When we identified a sum of compensation left unclaimed by customers, we wanted to make sure every penny left over had the greatest possible impact and went directly back into supporting those who need it most. Alongside a hardship fund for individual customers facing difficult circumstances, we launched our Community Grants Scheme to re-purpose these funds to support the groups that work so hard to help our customers’ communities thrive.
Round one of Level 2 funding goes to…
By the time the selection process for the first round of funding started, we had received 79 applications for Level 2 support. Each submission was carefully reviewed by our panel of employees, customers and young people from across our region to make sure the funds are used in a way that supports the priorities of our local communities.
Our employee group reviewed all the applications and agreed a shortlist for each of the regions we serve – the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent. This was then handed over to our Water Futures panel – made up of over 75 customers and young people – who hand-picked the following organisations and community groups to receive the first round of Level 2 funding support. Alongside each name is a summary of the work the funds will support.
Isle of Wight
- Prostrate Cancer group – Supporting professional counselling for members via drop-in facility or phone-based service.
- Freshwater Lifeboat – Funds to replace a timber roof which has collapsed.
- MPRA Pond Group – Contributing towards better tools for a volunteer group to maintain a large water feature and pond for the benefit of elderly residents plus a conservation area for breeding ducks, frogs and insects.
Hampshire
- Horndean Infants – Funds to create of a ‘book-nook’ space within the school to provide an inviting and imaginative space for school children to enjoy reading in.
- Hamble Youth Club – Contributing to the upkeep of the minibus, coaches, training and equipment to run the Club’s disability football group.
- Citizens Advice Swale – Supporting the core costs for a proactive engagement project to support people before formal debt solutions are necessary, providing an informal and friendly setting to develop personalised money management skills with one-to-one discussions.
West Sussex
- 4 Sight Vision – Funds for specialist magnification and lighting aids for those experiencing early sight loss, so members can maintain independence.
- Equine Partners CIC – Supporting equine assisted therapy sessions for up to 40 families to help them develop the skills and strategies they need to help family life function.
- Sustainable Sussex – Funding a ‘green living roof’ cycle shelter at Sompting Community Farm on a popular hiking and cycling track, encouraging bio-diversity and managing rain run-off for visitors and walkers in the region.
East Sussex
- Spear Brighton – Financing 12 months’ support for an employability programme for young people facing barriers to work.
- B+H Food Partnership – Supporting the installation of sustainable watering options for an outdoor area used to provide community workshops in Stanmer Park for those at risk of social isolation.
- CPRE Sussex – Funding better co-ordination of community-based environmental projects in Sussex, focusing on promoting the role of the countryside in everyday life and tackling future climate challenges.
Kent
- Sheppey Matters – Supporting a yearlong health and wellbeing recovery program, which aims to reduce isolation and loneliness through a range of activities connected to the local beach.
- Romney Marsh Day Centre – Contributing to the core costs of a volunteer manager to oversee helpers who support the elderly residents.
- Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership – Funds for a non-profit community group which explores nature-based solutions for flood prevention.
Want to apply for a grant? You still have a chance…
Applications for Level 2 funding are still open. You have until Friday 31 December to submit your application. The next round of funding will be awarded on 17 December, followed by the final round on 31 January 2022. All payments will be complete by March 2022.
In addition, Level 1 funding will reopen in 2022. UK-registered charities operating in the South East are welcome to apply for a one-off grant of £10k–£20k to support the vital work they do. Please check our website and social media for updates.
Good luck!