Hinkley Point C’s community funding reaches new milestone

Over £11 million has now been awarded to initiatives in Somerset since the Hinkley Point C project’s range of community funds were launched in 2012. The substantial multi-million pound investment is continuing to benefit people from across the region – opening up opportunity and mitigating potential impacts of the project.

The latest set of grants, worth almost £430,000, were awarded to five groups including local charity, Navigate, who will be launching a three-year project to work with local communities to provide financial education and advice to those who may be struggling.

Mel Allen, CEO at Navigate, said: “Our grant from the Hinkley Point C Community Fund will help to increase the delivery and reach of this vital programme through the development and accreditation of the course. By providing attendees with a qualification, this will contribute to lifelong educational achievement, increased housing and employment opportunities, and provide an opportunity to meet others and increase community involvement and inclusion.”

Other groups benefiting from the latest grants include Life Cycle UK. They have been awarded £99,790 for a three-year project to promote cycling in the local area. Activities will include the  training of bike mechanics and community cycling support workers whilst also providing an electric bike loan scheme.

Inspired to Achieve, based in Yeovil, were ¬awarded £79,388 for an 18-month project to coordinate and train job coaches to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities into local employment.

Haygrove School in Bridgwater were also awarded £50,000 towards a multi-use sports pitch, available for use by the local community.

Andrew Cockcroft, Senior Community Relations Manager at Hinkley Point C, said: “I am extremely proud to see the substantial positive impact that our Community Fund is delivering to a wide variety of organisations in the local area surrounding Hinkley Point C. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the benefits and opportunities of the project are accessible for local people, especially as the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to affect us all.”

Val Bishop, Programmes Director at Somerset Community Foundation who administer the Fund, said: “The HPC Community Fund continues to support many groups and organisations’ projects to increase opportunity and improve the quality of life and wellbeing in communities, reaching smaller ‘grassroots’ charities as well as larger organisations. 

“If you have any ideas that you think we may be able to support with grant funding then please get in touch with us directly.”

Visit hpcfunds.co.uk for more information.