Community owned Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) develops renewable energy projects and runs energy demand programmes for local benefit. For the ninth year running, BWCE has given a portion of its surplus income from renewable energy generation to the independently run BWCE Fund for the benefit of local communities. Quartet Community Foundation administers the grant programme on behalf of the BWCE Fund.
The grants will be used by local charitable and community organisations on a range of important projects, intended to cut carbon emissions, reduce energy bills and waste and help with the cost of living crisis by tackling fuel poverty.
Sophie Hooper Lea, Chair of Trustees for the Bath & West Community Energy Fund: “Like so many of us, local charities are becoming more environmentally conscious and want to play their part in reducing carbon emissions in their own organisations and within local communities. The BWCE Fund provides funding for projects that are climate-friendly, which often has the added benefit of saving money during the cost of living crisis.
“Since 2015 the BWCE Fund grant programme, administered by Quartet Community Foundation, has awarded 91 grants worth over £238,000. Those grants have all gone to local organisations doing vital work to benefit our local communities as well as the environment.”
Angela Emms, Philanthropy Manager at Quartet Community Foundation: - “We know that the local charitable sector is under pressure due to the cost of living crisis. Many local projects are facing growing demand twinned with falling income. We’re delighted we can help the BWCE Fund award these grants to groups across the B&NES area. Many of the projects this year will help protect the environment while enabling people to reduce their fuel bills and energy consumption in a low carbon way.”
Three of this year’s recipients commented on the huge difference this makes.
Oasis Hub Bath
Jo Doby from Oasis Hub Bath: “We’re so grateful for this BWCE Fund grant which will make a huge difference to our pantry members, who have been hit particularly hard by the cost of living crisis. The grant will enable us to distribute a slow cooker and heated blanket to each member, helping them keep warm and save money on their energy bills.”
Kidical Mass Bath
Delia Masanotti from Kidical Mass Bath; “For a small community group like Kidical Mass Bath to receive this grant is simply amazing!”
“The funding will allow us to give more children and adults the chance to take up cycling and enjoy the huge benefits of it.”
“By giving them the practical skills and the confidence to cycle, we can help them save money, improve their health and quality of life, as well as reduce air pollution, which improves our city for everyone.”
Southside family project
Penny McKissock MBE from Southside Family Project; “We are very grateful to BWCE for this timely grant for Southside. It will enable our team to support families experiencing fuel poverty, helping them to use their energy more efficiently and reduce their energy bills. This will benefit families significantly during the cost of living crisis and difficult winter.”
“We will provide targeted advice and support, alongside energy saving packs, including radiator reflectors, draught excluders and energy saving bulbs, tailored to their needs. We will be able to support families to reduce energy/other waste and understand simple ways to make their home more energy efficient.”
The eleven funded B&NES projects are: Southside Family Project, Bath City Farm, Bath Share and Repair, Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon, Climate Hub Bath and North East Somerset, Fairfield House, Keynsham Community Energy, Kidical Mass Bath, Oasis Hub Bath, SWALLOW and Transition Bath. Further information on how much funding was given to each charity and what they plan to spend it on can be found in The Journal’s online article.
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