Chester charities reminded about support available from Severn Trent’s Community Fund

Charities and not-for-profit organisations in Chester are being reminded about the support they could receive from Severn Trent’s Community Fund.

The Community Fund launched in 2020 and was designed to support the wellbeing of communities in the Severn Trent region. We seek to fund new projects that link to three key elements of community wellbeing - People, Place and Environment.

Launched in 2020, £10 million was pledged to the fund to be awarded over five years to support new projects by local charities and community groups across the Severn Trent region - helping to make a real difference in our communities.

Since its launch, the Community Fund has awarded over £53,000 to 10 organisations to help benefit the community in Chester, through emergency support during Covid, core funding and project funding.

The next round of funding is now open for new projects and charities in the city are being urged to get their applications in.

Jade Gough, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, said: 

“Since Severn Trent launched the Community Fund, we have seen some amazing projects in Chester that work with young people, those with mental health issues, and vulnerable older people supported.

“It has been fantastic to see these projects and charities thrive and grow and make a huge difference to so many people within the community.

“But we aren’t stopping, applications are open right now for new projects that need funding, and we would like to hear from those in Chester.

“Please get in touch if you would like further information or visit the website to see if you are eligible for funding, we’d love to hear from you.”

Over the past four years, Severn Trent’s Community Fund has supported a number of organisations in the city including Passion for Learning, Dial West Cheshire and mental health charity Chapter, which was awarded £20,000 to help make the charity’s allotment plots self-sufficient for the volunteers and the service users to grow fruit and vegetables.

Fran Pymer, wellbeing leader at Chapter, previously said: 

“Severn Trent has enabled us to have a water conservation project which makes us self-sufficient with our both our plots. The allotments have become a lifeline for people who can come down, garden and enjoy the green space.

“But it is more than just about gardening, our service users can come, sit, have a cup of tea and meet people who feel in a similar way to them. They can speak to a wellbeing coach, as well as working with our volunteer, who is an amazing gardener and gives them loads of advice and techniques.

“It was fascinating to find out that Severn Trent covered the Chester area and brilliant that they could help us with funding to develop the allotment.”

For more information on the Severn Trent Community Fund and to find out how to make an application visit: 

http://www.stwater.co.uk

... and search for Community Fund.