People across the Severn Trent region are being urged to cast their votes in the new NeighbourGOOD scheme and choose one project per county to win £2,500 funding – plus volunteers.

The new community initiative was launched in September to support local causes that matter most by offering the grant, as well as hands-on help from volunteer employees.

The many entries received were sent to an independent panel, which included local councillors and journalists. The panel whittled them down to the top three applications by county they believe had put the best case forward – with the public having the final say in the online vote.

The three Nottinghamshire projects are:

1.      Lindum Grove Community Garden - Founded in 2020, Lindum Grove Community Garden features a greenhouse, compost toilet, and gardening spaces, and hosts volunteer groups and a “Mini Growers” programme for children. Seeking support for accessibility improvements, a water collection system, and beautification efforts, the garden aims to become even more inviting for all.

2.      Mellers Community Allotment Pond - Mellers Primary in Nottingham, a high-demand school for children aged 3–11, has expanded but lost some green areas. The school is seeking funding to restore an unused pond area to support local wildlife, create a peaceful space for reflection, and enhance outdoor learning for both students and the community.

3.      Strengthening Communities Through Support and Connection - This initiative aims to bring neighbourhoods together by organising community events, launching a volunteer programme, and creating a platform for resource-sharing. By fostering a sense of belonging and reducing isolation, the project seeks to make every resident feel valued and connected in a supportive environment.

The three Birmingham projects are:

1.      Martineau Mondays - Martineau Mondays provide free, weekly outdoor activities such as mindfulness walks, Tai Chi, and green woodworking near Birmingham City Centre. These sessions help locals connect with nature and each other, enhancing mental and physical health.

2.      The Caves Pool Nature Rescue - The Friends of Wrens Nest NNR are a dedicated group of 150 members who have a goal to rejuvenate the Caves Pool area. This will enhance biodiversity, and offer educational pond dipping sessions to benefit not only the wildlife but the local community too.

3.      Restoring Smestow Valley wetland area - The Smestow Valley wetland restoration project aims to boost biodiversity and community well-being by clearing vital habitats for rare species and repairing a bridge, whilst also providing a great experience for Eco Club pupils.

The three Derbyshire projects are:

1.      Lacemaker Garden Project - Erewash Voluntary Action is on a mission to create a vibrant sensory garden and rockery at Lacemaker Court Residential Care Centre. The sensory garden will provide a tranquil retreat, enhancing the mental health and well-being of residents and visitors.

2.      The Green Retreat - Dove Holes Village Hall wants to transform a underutilised space into a welcoming, eco-friendly, and inclusive area for all ages. By creating a vibrant, green oasis to help promote biodiversity and strengthen community bonds.

3.      Erewash Museum's Path to the Past Project - The Erewash Museum is dedicated to restoring its garden to its Victorian-era splendor, once known as Dalby House. This project will create a peaceful community space and establish a gardening club to maintain it to foster community connections.

The three Leicestershire projects are:

1.      1st Nanpantan Scout Hut and Community Hall – Decorating - The Nanpantan Scout Group in Loughborough supports 160 children aged 5-18 in developing life skills, with the help of dedicated volunteers. They need assistance to update their community facility to continue to support the local community.

2.      Community Wellbeing Allotment - The Community Wellbeing Allotment project aims to create an inclusive space for disadvantaged groups to enjoy nature and improve health. The initiative addresses social isolation, mental health, and food poverty, fostering community spirit and sustainability.

3.      Friends of Coalville Community wellbeing allotment - Friends of Coalville Park are dedicated to improving the community space by replacing wildflower beds with a year-round garden, updating play equipment, and adding a sensory garden.

The three Warwickshire projects are:

1.      Hagard Fun Zone - Since 1964, the Hagard Community Centre in Coventry, has been a vital hub offering youth clubs, food banks, a community café, and social activities. They plan to create a new outdoor area by refurbishing sports and play areas.

2.      Stivichall Primary School Community Allotment - Stivichall Primary School plans to turn a disused area into a community allotment, uniting pupils, parents, grandparents, and community members. The allotment will enhance learning, provide fresh produce for school meals and local food banks.

3.      Coventry Irish Society Community Library - Founded over 31 years ago, the Coventry Irish Society provides vital community support, including welfare advice, healthcare, and cultural activities. They are creating a small community library to offer educational support, preserve culture, and replace lost services.

The three Shropshire projects are:

1.       St Thomas & St Anne’s Primary School is developing a community garden to enhance student well-being through play. Featuring a sensory garden and sandpit, the project will benefit students and the wider community.

2·       Greenacres Primary School. The grant will help transform an unused field into a dynamic outdoor learning and community space. Plans include improved access, a forest school, and secure boundaries.

3·       Flourish and Nourish Volunteer Community Project. Led by five local women, this project aims to create a healing space for the community. Through this garden, they hope to support mental well-being and offer a place for learning, bonding, and nature engagement.

The two Gloucestershire projects are:

1.       Gloucestershire Cheerleading Academy. The group, now in its 20^th year, is looking to use the grant to renovate its community HQ.

2·       Greatfield Park Edible Garden Project. The primary school plans to transform an overgrown area into an outdoor educational space with an edible garden.

The three Worcestershire projects are:

1.       No First Night Out Wellbeing Project. The group provides housing for the homeless and hopes to win the grant to provide a wellness garden to support residents’ mental health.

2·       Burlish Bike Park and Outdoor Community Centre. The grant will help to resurface bike trails, remove invasive plants and enhance the car park and forest area.

3·       The Bungalow Project. The grant will help create a therapeutic space at a former caretaker bungalow at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, to help students with school attendance and wellbeing issues.

The three Staffordshire rojects are:

1.       The UP Lab. The Tamworth project merges creativity, sustainability, and community engagement, including a “Second Chance Haberdashery” for craft supplies, daily affordable workshops, and a welcoming space for all.

2·       Walton High School’s Destiny Garden. The garden is a valuable resource for pupils with special needs but is in need of restoration.

3·       Hug in a Mug Community Café. This project aims to help disadvantaged families by providing a welcoming space with affordable food, social interaction, and free lunches on Wednesdays.

The voting window opened on 12^th November and will run for four weeks. Votes can be made through the Severn Trent website. Votes will then be counted, and the winner announced in December.

Megan Aplin, Societal Strategy Delivery Manager at Severn Trent, said: “It was great to see so many applications for the NeighbourGOOD scheme, which shows just how important projects like this are to our communities.

“The panel had a very difficult job whittling them down to the final three, as there were so many worthy causes. It’s now over to the public to pick the winner.”

The scheme is being run across all counties served by Severn Trent, including in the East and West Midlands.

Megan added: “We’re determined to make our region a better place by being more than just a water company to our communities.

“NeighbourGOOD is the latest example of how we are helping our communities, along with our Community Fund and affordability and employability schemes.”

For more information, including full terms and conditions, please visit: https://www.stwater.co.uk/neighbourgood-scheme/