A PROGRAMME dedicated to making Frome a greener, healthier, and more connected community has reached the end of its funding after five years.

Green and Healthy Frome, launched in 2021, was funded by the National Lottery and delivered by a partnership of Edventure Frome and the town’s medical practice and town council.

From connecting with nature to supporting wellbeing and food-sharing initiatives, Green and Healthy Frome helped nurture a culture of ‘everybody is invited’.

Residents of all ages grew potatoes for a pay-what-you-can community meal with Frome Food Network’s ‘Canteen’.

Frome's streets became a little kinder and greener with an active travel initiative championed through the ‘Cycle Together’ programme, including bike maintenance sessions, cycling confidence workshops, and group bike rides helping more people feel safe and empowered to leave the car behind.

A spokesperson said: “Green and Healthy Frome understood from the outset, human health is not just physical.

“Our work wove together mental wellbeing, social connection, and time spent in nature.

“Whether through green social prescribing, River Vision Festivals, nature walks, or simply creating welcoming spaces where people could be themselves and be part of a community for good.

“We saw first-hand how profoundly the environment around us shapes how we feel within ourselves.”

Frome’s 17 per cent reduction in carbon emissions across housing, food, travel, waste, goods, and services was said to exceed annual reductions elsewhere in Somerset of between 2.5 and four per cent.

The spokesperson said: “While many of the projects, activities, and partnerships continue, we know none of this would have been possible without the generous support of our funders, the National Lottery, the tireless dedication of the partnership, and above all, the hundreds of incredible Frome residents who gave their time, ideas, energy, and enthusiasm to make this programme what it became.

“You are the real story of Green and Healthy Frome.”