Nearly 600 community projects and charitable causes have been supported by Severn Trent’s Community Fund since it first launched.

With International Day of Charity being celebrated today (September 5th) the spotlight is being shone on the fund, which launched in 2020, along with the schemes and good causes that have been helped over the past few years.

The company is also encouraging any charities or non-profit organisations to check out the fund and everything it offers to see if they can benefit.

In total, 593 community and charity-based projects have been awarded a share of nearly £7million and had a massive impact on people’s lives and the environment.

Broken down into different regions, the Community Fund has awarded:

• Birmingham and the Black Country: £1,392,732.16 to 113 causes
• Cheshire: £53,425 to 10 causes
• Derbyshire: £781,710.44 to 57 causes
• Gloucestershire: £448,491 to 38 causes
• Leicestershire: £973,207 to 64 causes
• Nottinghamshire: £779,107.26 to 121 causes
• Shropshire: £381431 to 36 causes
• Staffordshire: £731,933.61 to 55 causes
• Coventry and Warwickshire: £856,969.64 to 70 causes 
• Worcestershire: £453,813 to 29 causes 

Natalie Cunningham, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, said: "The support the Community Fund has provided to hundreds of charity projects and community groups across our region is absolutely incredible and we are so humbled by everything that they've achieved so far. To see the real difference that is being made by the organisations we're so proud to support and the impact they are having on literally millions of people's lives for the better is utterly amazing.

“We launched during what was a really hard time for community organisations and charities, so to see so many flourishing after a turbulent few years is fantastic. 

“The Community Fund is always looking for new projects and we fund those that improve community wellbeing with a focus on people, places and the environment. If you think your group has a project that fits the bit, we encourage you to find out more about the fund.”

Standout projects since the launch of the Community Fund include:

• IAR CIC in Nuneaton, Warwickshire - a literal life changing community garden and woodworking project run by an organisation that supports people in addiction recovery
• The Music Work’s Gloucester Community Music Studios – a place for young people to get together and break down barriers in music, in learning and in life
• Forest Town’s Spa Ponds in Mansfield: Pipes, Paths and Ponds in Nottinghamshire – not only a programme making wonderful environmental benefits at a historic nature reserve, but it gave two of their volunteers the experience they needed to start their dream careers. All the projects we’re so proud to support have huge impacts on the lives of those running and benefiting from the projects. 

The Community Fund launched with the aim of giving out £10m over five years to support community projects across the Severn Trent catchment region. The fund is overseen by an independent Panel, made up of Severn Trent customers, who review applications and who decide where the money goes.

The company also created an Emergency Coronavirus Fund, giving out £1m to community groups and charities who were giving vital support to our communities through the height of the outbreak, as well as those who had struggled financially as a result of the pandemic and needed a helping hand to get back on their feet.

For more information on the Severn Trent Community Fund and to find out how to make an application visit stwater.co.uk/communityfund.