Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company is delivering ecological transformation through its Sustainability Fund, supporting 10 grassroots projects chosen for their exemplary contribution to the local community and environment in Southend-on-Sea.
The Sustainability Fund, launched by Veolia in 2021, has successfully supported over 260 projects across the UK, with over £200,000 in just three years, empowering grassroots projects to make a positive and sustainable impact on their local communities, both socially and environmentally.
Stuart Atkinson, Contract Manager at Veolia Southend, said:
"Veolia's Sustainability Fund supports projects that are at the heart of local communities which promote improving biodiversity, reducing, reusing and recycling through community engagement. This fund is a testament to the power of collective action and the potential for change when we prioritise sustainability."
There are so many inspiring projects to choose from but here are some of the highlights from across the City:
- Little Heroes ASD Support Community Hub is a parent-led support group for families of children who are on the autistic spectrum, The charity has moved to a new venue with an unloved space to the front and rear, where they will upcycle wooden crates and unused wood from the local area to create an interactive outside area for people to relax in.
- Greening Southend is an offshoot from Trust Links Growing Together therapeutic gardening project, where they go out to neglected public realm green spaces and empower the local community to take ownership and improve the space, increasing residents' sense of wellbeing and sense of connection with their local environment.
- SAVS Folk Like Us is run by Southend Association of Voluntary Services who offer support and advice to people over the age of 55 who are experiencing loneliness and isolation. Funding will support the development of their 'Muddy Hub' allotment plot for their community to come together and grow their own food.
Rachel Rooks from SAVS Folk Likes Us, said: “SAVS Folk Like Us project are thrilled to learn that we were eligible for the Sustainability Fund. The allotment plot we hold is so important to our members and their wellbeing, the fund will help us to buy and build a greenhouse, meaning we can get an early start planting seedlings and increase our crops of fruit and veggies.”
With a ceremony held at The IronWorks in Southend, Veolia and Southend-on-Sea City Council celebrated the projects and organisations who secured funding in 2023. Each group had the chance to showcase their projects and how they will be helping Veolia deliver ecological transformation across the city.
Councillor Meg Davidson, Cabinet member for Environment at Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “The collaboration between Veolia and Southend-on-Sea City Council is a shining example of how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful change in our communities. Our joint donation with Veolia of £4,900 to these incredible grassroots initiatives is not just a financial contribution, it's an investment in the heart and soul of Southend-on-Sea.
"These projects, ranging from the transformative work of Folk Like Us to the innovative Greening Southend initiative, embody our collective commitment to nurturing more sustainable, connected, and vibrant communities. We are proud to support these endeavours that not only reduce our environmental footprint but also strengthen the social fabric of our city. This partnership and the resulting projects are a testament to our shared vision of a greener, more inclusive Southend-on-Sea.”
If you have an idea, head to veolia.co.uk/sustainability-fund for more information about Veolia’s Sustainability Fund.
Applications will open again in Spring 2024.