We want to protect our planet and the environment for future generations, our employees, customers and partners. We’ve set ourselves ambitious targets and we’re committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
At the end of last year, we asked our people to nominate local causes in their communities who are tackling the climate crisis and promoting biodiversity, for a chance to receive a £2,000 community grant. Climate change and biodiversity are closely linked. When the climate changes it accelerates biodiversity loss which endangers the natural ecosystems we need.
We’re pleased to award 28 local organisations with grants towards their vital work through our Community Grant Scheme. The donations will help support groups to develop green spaces, buy litter picking equipment, protect bogs and wildlife, and promote the conservation of endangered species. Let’s find out a bit more about some of the organisations.
Urban Roots, Glasgow
A community-based organisation in south Glasgow, they transform derelict or unused green spaces into thriving, blossoming community gardens where both plants and people can grow and flourish.
The grant will support the work of the woodland conservation group throughout 2022, including funding vital tools and materials necessary to maintain the woodland for both wildlife and local people.
The Garden Classroom, London
Working across 20 parks and gardens, they provide children and adults with outdoor experiences that are designed to stimulate respect for nature and promote self-discovery. They believe that everyone benefits from the outdoors, but for many in their local area of Hackney and Islington, access to outdoor space isn’t easily accessible.
The grant will enable us to offer nurturing environments in which children and young adults can explore learning in a relaxed atmosphere, with all of the advantages that being in the fresh air brings for their mental and physical wellbeing. We have found, particularly, that children with social and emotional difficulties respond well to these sessions.
Surfers Against Sewage, National
Protecting the UK’s coastline for 30 years, they work with local communities to help improve water quality, ocean recovery and fight plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution is an outrage. It litters our beaches, it’s in the food we eat and even the water we drink. That’s why, with support from AXA UK, we’re creating the Million Mile Clean to inspire, empower and support 100,000 volunteers to walk and clean the places they love.
We’re really pleased to once again be supporting local causes through our Community Grant Scheme. The big focus this year is supporting organisations that work to protect our planet, so all the projects are community-led, environmental or biodiversity focused. Our people have nominated projects across the UK and Ireland that they feel would really benefit from the support of the scheme and it’s fantastic that we have been able to provide funding to so many deserving causes.
Here's the Full list of winners:
Scotland and the North
- Cultivate Tees Valley
- Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside
- Horwich Clean Up Brigade
- Middlesbrough Environment City
- St.Mary's RC Primary School
- Sunnywood Project
- Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
- Urban Roots
Wales and the South West
- Dorset Wildlife Trust
- Friends of St George Park
- Slade Farm Community Garden
- Somerset Wildlife Trust
- The Country Side charity
- Westbury Wildlife Park Foundation
- Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group
- Surfers Against Sewage
London and the South East
- 12th Royal Tunbridge Wells St Johns Scouts - St John's/ Southborough village green
- 1st Chesterford Beaver Scouts
- Brent River and Canal Society (BRCS) / Warren Farm Nature Reserve
- Friends of Winsford Gardens
- Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity
- The Garden Classroom
Ireland
- Dunclug Primary School
- Flanagans Fields
- Irish Peatland Conservation Council
- Irish Wildlife Trust
- Refill Ireland
The Midlands
- Community Energy Birmingham
