Life is better when we connect to the people and places around us

See what's happening in communities where you live

You care about the places where you live, and they’re important to us, too. There’s around 10,000 Severn Trenters, and most of us live here. So when we talk about “you” we often mean “us” too.

Whether it’s Kathryn helping young people get a second chance, Sue supporting great causes like Three Spires Family Support Trust, or Kat working with Warwick Sea Scouts to look after their stretch of the River Avon.

Read on to get a view of what we’ve been up to recently. All supported by our people. Our Severn Trenters. Not just “us”. But a definite part of “you”.

All eight million of you. 

Our trailblazers

"It seems only right that we use our skills and experiences to give back. One of my mentees said, I’ve got a crime free life ahead of me now.” 

 

At HMP Brinsford in Wolverhampton, specially trained Severn Trenters are now working with young men offenders who want to be given a second chance, break the cycle and become valuable pillars ofmembers of their local communities.

Having done a degree in Criminology at university, Kathryn thought working for a water company might mean she didn’t get to put it to use. But she jumped at the chance to get involved by volunteering.

Our partnership with Trailblazers

Community Fund

“Theres a saying, it takes a village to raise a child, and I think for a lot of our families, Coffee Totts is that village. This funding has made a massive difference in the communities where we’re based.” 

Our Community Fund will donate £10million to support local community groups and projects that benefit people, places and the environment where we all live and work.

One example of this is the Coffee Totts group for Three Spires Family Support Trust who aim to help Coventry families learn key life skills, build their own support networks and give children the best start in life. We awarded the Trust £20,000 to help cover their day to day running and staff costs.

Sue, our Community Fund officer, has been working with the Trust, helping them throughout their funding journey and offering support.

Community Fund

Renewing our rivers

"The bathing rivers program will be looking at our impact on rivers, but also monitoring river water quality and to share that with our communities.” 

There have been enough words. You want to see action. Let’s show you what’s happening down by the river.

It’s a place where hundreds of separate pieces of work are coming together. Where teams of Severn Trenters are working day-by-day, week-by-week, with one simple, singular aim. To make your rivers better places. For you, your families, for nature. For everyone.

Kat, who works in our environment team, has been working alongside the Sea Scouts in Warwick to do just that.

The Scouts have a large headquarters on the banks of the river Avon, regularly using the river for activities such as kayaking and canoeing with their multiple beaver, cubs and scouts groups.

We’ve engaged with them throughout our bathing rivers programme, talking about the improvements the project will make to the water quality - bringing lots of benefits for local river users in Warwickshire. This work helps all groups understand more about water quality and provide more ‘eyes and ears’ for everyone. And it supports our children to be engaged with nature and river health.

Bathing Rivers programme

In a neighbourhood near you

We may not have much in common with our neighbours, but we all share the places that bring us together— where we meet, enjoy nature, and help our communities thrive.
Our neighbourhoods aren't always perfect, and sometimes they need a helping hand to grow, repair, and flourish. 

Introducing NeighbourGOOD

We’re donating time and money to local projects that make a positive impact. Now, we need your help. Nominate and vote for the initiatives that matter most to your community. Let’s make our neighbourhoods better, together.

Vote now

Action that makes a difference

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”– Elizabeth Andrew, Author of 2024 Community fund review.

During our fourth year we’re proud to have supported 103 not for profit organisations across our region with more than £2 million in grants, helping support our communities and increase wellbeing for our customers.

 

Explore our Community Fund initiatives where you live

Derbyshire

We awarded £268,576 to 18 organisations, helping to create or enhance 7 community spaces. This initiative benefited 33,268 people and improved 135,413m² of the local environment.

 

Leicestershire & Rutland

A total of £307,435 was granted to 14 organisations, supporting the creation or enhancement of 13 community spaces. With 31,200 beneficiaries and 945m² of environment improved, this has been a powerful boost to the region.

 

Nottinghamshire

We provided £180,035 to 14 organisations, resulting in the creation or enhancement of 6 community spaces, benefiting 39,767 people. The project also improved 1,300m² of the environment.

 

Birmingham & The Black Country

£445,022 was awarded to 12 organisations, helping to create or enhance 19 community spaces, with 15,462 beneficiaries directly impacted by these projects.

 

Staffordshire

A total of £134,106 was granted to 10 organisations, enhancing 6 community spaces and improving 1,410m² of the environment. The project reached 20,112 beneficiaries.

 

Shropshire

£149,703 was awarded to 9 organisations, helping to create or enhance 6 community spaces and improving 204m2 of the environment. The project reached 126,162 beneficiaries.

 

Gloucestershire

We awarded £79,682 to 6 organisations, creating or enhancing 4 community spaces, improving 1,000m² of the environment, and benefiting 12,744 people.

 

Coventry and Warwickshire

£285,166 was provided to 17 organisations, supporting the creation or enhancement of 9 community spaces. This initiative improved 40,196m² of the environment and impacted 41,509 beneficiaries.

 

Worcestershire

A total of £161,944 was awarded to 3 organisations, leading to the creation or enhancement of 2 community spaces, improving an impressive 79,500m² of the environment and benefiting 9,424 people.

If you’d like to learn more about our community fund and its impact across the region, explore our community fund reviews.

Read our 2024 review