Community groups in Somerset that received small grants as part of the ‘Waste Not Somerset’ fund have shown brilliant results.
The Waste Not Somerset Fund helps Somerset communities turn ideas for reducing waste into action. Funded by Somerset Council and SUEZ, it supports projects that prevent waste and encourage reuse, repair and recycling, while also considering wider benefits such as community involvement and social impact
Waste reduction projects run by Able2Achieve, Donate IT and Wellington Methodist Church, have all benefitted from the funding in the last year and have shown brilliant results.
- Able2Achieve a Yeovil-based charity supporting people with learning disabilities and mental health challenges, has expanded its reuse and recycling work thanks to funding for a second-hand van. The vehicle has enabled volunteers to collect and redistribute materials including roof slates, pallets and scrap metal, launch a woodworking project that turns waste timber into community goods, and help participants build confidence and practical skills.
- DonateIT helps reduce digital exclusion across Somerset by collecting unwanted technology, refurbishing usable devices and providing them free of charge to people who need them most. Funding helped the charity create jobs for young people not in education, employment or training, while collecting more than 5,000 devices and redistributing refurbished laptops, phones and tablets to vulnerable residents across the county.
- Wellington Methodist Church’s free clothes swap helps families with young children access good-quality clothing, bedding and equipment while keeping items in use for longer. Funding for new equipment has helped the volunteer-run project cope with growing demand, supporting families from 27 communities, diverting more than a tonne of donations from waste, and redistributing surplus items to other local charities and support groups.
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Environment and Climate Change at Somerset Council, said:
Supporting community projects helps us connect with residents, and even small grants can make a big difference. The variety of organisations supported reflects our residents’ commitment to the environment and the wealth of activity across Somerset. Keeping pre-loved items in use and out of waste helps us make better use of materials.
Matt Canning, Contract Director for SUEZ in Somerset said:
Diverting unwanted items from disposal is a priority for Somerset. We have been excited to support these groups and see how they have developed to make a positive difference in the communities we serve. Each of these projects has found innovative ways to re-distribute perfectly good, usable items and materials away from disposal and to places where they are most needed. This is great for the environment, boosts skills and impacts the local economy.
Managed by Somerset Community Foundation, this second round of funding has shown what impact a small boost can give to community groups.
Fiona Foster, Senior Philanthropy Manager at Somerset Community Foundation said:
We are delighted that SUEZ and Somerset Council chose to partner with Somerset Community Foundation to create their Waste Not Somerset Fund. It’s been great to work alongside these experienced waste partners over the last couple years in order to support local groups and grassroots charities, working to reduce waste in the heart of our communities here in Somerset.
