Royal recognition for county charities

Exmoor Community Bus Association has for more than 40 years provided an unusually wide range of lifeline community benefits across an area of remote, very rural and isolated communities in a National Park.

The group of 12 volunteers is supported by the whole community of South Exmoor in forming an essential year-round element of building social inclusion across dispersed and deprived communities of all ages from frail older people, often with mobility issues, to school-age children enabling access outside their local area to essential services and opportunities.

Many of the individuals supported could not live independently in their own homes without this vital service. Beneficiaries include a significant number of local volunteer groups providing group trips to events in the area, theatre trips and garden club outings.

The group support the Rotary Club who organise the Exmoor Youth Challenge event, the Exmoor Perambulation which involved over 500 young people and most importantly essential services and support are provided to local people accessing shopping and services in both Minehead and Taunton, the nearest towns.

For 60 years, this remarkable volunteer-run club has been a beacon of hope for physically challenged senior citizens in the Yeovil area, offering a unique and vital service that improves the quality of life for its members.

Established in 1965 the club has continued to flourish, entirely supported by a dedicated team of 10 volunteers who are the heart and soul of the organisation. Their tireless commitment ensures that up to 30 elderly members have the opportunities to socialise, engage in stimulating activities, and enhance their mental and physical well-being.

What sets this club apart is not only its longevity but also its innovative and compassionate approach to addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals in an area that has few other services It is the only facility of its kind left in the Yeovil area in a county with an ageing population and where public services are overburdened.

The club’s transport service, using specially adapted coaches, collects 20 of its members from their homes, including those living in one of the 10% most economically deprived areas in the country where social isolation is often most acute. This crucial service ensures that even those who are housebound or living with limited mobility can attend the weekly meetings providing them with a much-needed sense of community and connection.

Green Wedmore have identified and delivered a formidable range of environmental projects for nearly 20 years. They have reached out to numerous other organisations in the area as well as being instrumental in the formation of a solar power site, a community farm, repair cafe, an eel project, a village farm and a men’s shed. In all these projects they have worked with other local organisations rather than in competition with them.

The services they provide have evolved during the existence of the group to insure they remain relevant to both the needs and capabilities of the community.

The Somerset Levels are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, given their extremely low-lying nature, where hard engineering and coastal barriers, which are currently the first line of defence, will come under increasing pressure. The work of Green Wedmore is an inspiration to other communities in the area and throughout the county.

Their Wedmore 1,000 Solar challenge to install solar power in 1,000 homes seemed ambitious when announced but has already passed the 25% mark.

Funding has been by way of self-help rather than by grants, indeed the solar power project has returned nearly £150,000 to the community. Conspicuously, the charity is about creating a sustainable environment and not about excessive administration or costly overheads. None of the committee receives any financial benefit from the group.

The total effect on Wedmore’s carbon emissions continues to increase and environmental benefits in terms of biodiversity and tree density are noteworthy.

The Thomas Poole Library Nether Stowey (TPLNS) is as an innovative community-led initiative and demonstrates how a library can evolve into a vital social and cultural hub.

What sets [create acronym_name="TPLNS" acronym_tooltip="The Thomas Poole Library Nether Stowey"] apart is its entirely volunteer-led management structure, the breadth of its community engagement, and its adaptability in addressing local needs.

Unlike any other library in Somerset, [create acronym_name="TPLNS" acronym_tooltip="The Thomas Poole Library Nether Stowey"] is wholly managed by volunteers. Though Somerset Council provides book stock and access to the library management system, TPLNS operates independently, guided by a governance framework developed by its trustees.

The scale and sustainability of the library’s volunteer-led approach make it an exemplar, demonstrating how communities can take ownership of vital local amenities.

[create acronym_name="TPLNS" acronym_tooltip="The Thomas Poole Library Nether Stowey"] is not just a library. While it continues to provide traditional library services, it has expanded into becoming a community space for storytelling sessions, school visits, chess evenings, ‘knit and natter’ events and cultural talks. The library also offers display space, supports a patient participation group and hosts meetings for community organisations. This multi-functional role is a key innovation, showing how even a rurally-isolated library can evolve to serve a wider purpose.