Three Calderdale-based community projects have received a substantial amount of funding to become more energy efficient thanks to an innovative partnership between the Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) and the energy purchasing club, 6C Energy.
Age UK, The Space renovation project and The Big Tin Shed were successfully awarded a combined total of £8,000 in grants from the 6C Community Energy Fund to help towards development projects as they strive to become more energy efficient, and support Calderdale’s aim to reduce its carbon footprint.
The 6C Community Energy Fund was set up by Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council in partnership with Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) as equal funders, to support local environmental projects. Calderdale Council’s contribution is generated by activities of the 6C Energy Purchasing Club, a collaboration between the council and the Kinect Energy Group, offering flexible energy solutions for Calderdale-based businesses.
Each charity submitted a compelling application to the panel outlining their individual projects and how they will benefit residents of the Calderdale district.
Leading registered charity Age UK is one of the first to benefit from the initiative, after its successful application resulted in a £2,000 grant to replace the existing interior ceiling with a state of the art suspended, insulated ceiling equipped with LED lights.
Thanks to the grant, they will benefit from an overall saving of £500 per winter month and are set to reap the benefits for an average of 20 years.
Hebden Bridge-based organisation The Big Tin Shed, received £1,850 to install additional LED lights throughout their non-profit organisation, which provides workspaces for small businesses and organisations in Calderdale. Increasing the number of LED lights across the site will result in a drastic reduction in energy use, thus slashing energy bills and cutting carbon emissions further.
The Space, who are heading up the restoration of the former Field Lane Community Centre – a vacant building located on the outskirts of Rastrick, received a £4,000 contribution to their £500,000 community project.
Once completed, the centre had planned to use the adjacent school’s electricity supply. By receiving such a substantial contribution, they can now incorporate energy saving equipment into their project plans.
Since its launch in 2015, 6C Energy has been working hard to help organisations in the Calderdale area manage their energy consumption and save money. By partnering with CFFC through the 6C Community Energy Fund, they have created a pathway for eligible organisations to apply for funding to support their energy saving initiatives through services such as renewable energy installations, heating controls and high efficiency boilers.
Expert grant maker CFFC brings over 25 years of experience working with charities and community groups to the table, making the initiative one of its kind in the area.
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Strategy, said:
“We want to help as many people as possible to save energy as part of our ongoing commitment to cut carbon across Calderdale. We’re really pleased that the 6C Energy scheme is benefiting many different kinds of organisations.”
Emma Woods-Bolger from the Community Foundation for Calderdale commented:
“We are thrilled to be working with 6C Energy on this project because there is a real need for this type of funding in Calderdale. Next year we will run another round of funding allowing more groups to benefit from the grants.”
Kinect Energy’s 6C New Business Executive, Caroline Jamieson, added:
“So far over 60 businesses have benefitted from the 6C initiative, but partnering with CFFC has enabled us to reach out to the non-profit organisations that lack the funds to implement energy saving measures. We’re proud to be supporting all the projects and can’t wait to see the end result.”
To find out more, go to www.cffc.co.uk/portfolio/6c-community-energy-fund/(external link)