Chapter, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing mental ill health across Cheshire has launched a water conservation project thanks to grant funding.

The good cause, which provides one-to-one support, group activities, workshops and training received £20,000 from Severn Trent’s Community Fund for its allotment plots, and it is already helping a gardening project to grow and flourish. 

Chapter used the money for the Grow Together project, a scheme where eight water butts were purchased to collect rainwater and make the charity’s allotment plots self-sufficient for the volunteers and the service users to grow fruit and vegetables.

Fran Pymer, wellbeing leader at Chapter, said: “Severn Trent has enabled us to have a water conservation project which makes us self-sufficient with our both our plots. The allotments have become a lifeline for people who can come down, garden and enjoy the green space. 

“But it is more than just about gardening, our service users can come, sit, have a cup of tea and meet people who feel in a similar way to them. They can speak to a wellbeing coach, as well as working with our volunteer, who is an amazing gardener and gives them loads of advice and techniques.

“It was fascinating to find out that Severn Trent covered the Chester area and brilliant that they could help us with funding to develop the allotment.” 

Chapter supports people with a range of mental health needs, from those with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness to people experiencing mild or moderate mental ill-health.

The charity was selected for a £20,000 funding grant thanks to members of the public who voted for them. To celebrate Severn Trent’s partnership with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Community Fund sought out local community projects that specifically aim to take care of nature and the environment. 

The projects and good causes applied and then the decision of who was awarded a gold, silver or bronze award was put to the public vote and Chapter was awarded gold.

Jade Gough, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, said: “Chapter works extremely hard to support and empower people that are living with mental ill health and the project that we funded will help people that the charity supports connect with nature and learn new skills. 

“It was wonderful to learn about all the hard work that goes in by the volunteers and service users at the allotments and the huge benefits that they are getting by being able to work on the project.

“We support lots of amazing projects throughout the community and meeting the people that have received support is always the best part of the job as we can see how they're supporting people just to live healthier and happier lives.” 

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