How we’re funding community environmental projects
11 November 2021
At Welsh Water, we see ourselves as more than just a water and sewerage company. Protecting and enhancing the environment around us is one of the most important responsibilities we have.
We want to be at the heart of the communities we serve and give them the support they need. One of the many ways we offer support is through our Community Fund. Since April, we’ve awarded £9000 to over 20 community groups and organisations towards innovative environmental projects.
Some of the awardees shared their stories with us and how the donation was spent:
Ian Chriswick
Assistant Headteacher at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr
"We have set ourselves the goal of becoming the sustainable school of the future. We aim to be net zero within ten years by installing electric vehicles charge points in the school car park, increasing the solar panel coverage on our roof space and redirecting any surplus energy from the local wind turbine.
"In addition to this we are building an outdoor learning area to facilitate the new Curriculum for Wales which will enable us to deliver cross-curricular projects in collaboration with high education institutions such as Swansea University and the Centre for Alternative Technology. The food grown in our garden will be used in food and nutrition lessons, community cookery workshops and also our very own canteen!
The fund awarded by Welsh Water has helped us getting one step closer to our goal!"
John Davies
Member of Bishton Community Council
‘’Bishton lies on the Gwent levels therefore is home to many species of wildlife habitat. We are renovating the Village Pond and surrounding area which had fallen into disrepair over the years and the pond no longer holds water in the summer months.
‘’A lot of work has been carried out by volunteers of Bishton Village and funding grants from Bishton Community Council, Welsh Water and Living Levels. The area is already looking very nice with wildflower plants, trellis raised beds, wild bird feeders, bee pollinator plants, bug house and a grassed seating area.
‘’The next step is to install a liner in the pond which has been resized and rebuilt which will enhance the beauty and wildlife in the area. When the liner is installed, we intend to plant the surrounding pond perimeter with shrubs and wildflowers.
‘’The area is frequently visited by residents of Bishton Village as well as people from Ringland and Underwood who are cycling to work. The seating area there makes a nice stopping area.’’
Ruth Moss
Herefordshire Wildlife Monitoring Officer at the Countryside Restoration Trust
“The Countryside Restoration Trust will be revegetating the banks of the Slough brook with native water plants thanks to grant from the Welsh Water Community Fund.
‘’This funding will enable us to restore the bank with native water plants and wildflowers and provide an important habitat and feeding site for our hardworking pollinators – and their predators! It will also stabilise the bank by mitigating soil erosion.
‘’The CRT’s mission is to support a living, working countryside, and rejuvenating this area is an important step on that journey.”
Community fund
Our Community Fund is a chance for communities to boost fundraising efforts for good causes in their area. If you live in an area where work is taking place – and you’re fundraising for projects to benefit the community – you could receive funding from Welsh Water up to a value of £1,000.
Community fund
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