Community orchards, recycling projects and green spaces will benefit thanks to a generous round of funding.
Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group - which owns and manages more than 4,100 homes across Fenland - has awarded £19,100 to three environmental projects.
The first organisation to be awarded grant funding is the CP Learning Trust – a not-for-profit charitable organisation which aims to help people overcome barriers to learning and providing progression routes to volunteering and employment.
The trust plans to use the grant to support its Fenland Orchards Project in Wisbech, constructing a raised deck for wellbeing activities, wildlife watching, and socialising, as well as polytunnels to support plant growth.
Sessions offering opportunities for learning will be run by experts including the College of West Anglia, Natural Cambridgeshire and the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT).
The orchard will also provide the opportunity for people to just sit and enjoy being outdoors, take part in yoga and tai chi classes, grow their own fruit and vegetables and learn about the biodiversity of the area.
The second organisation to be awarded funding is Wisbech Street Pride. Its Lime Avenue Project aims to revitalise a community green in the Waterlees area of the town.
The funding will be used to replace damaged picnic benches, repair raised beds and plant drought-resistant shrubs, making it a more inviting green space to encourage its use and boost community cohesion - with residents invited to help with the refurbishment work.
The final Fenland-based organisation to receive funding is REMO - formerly known as the Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network or CCORRN - which repurposes and recycles resources including paint, furniture and DIY materials.
Thanks to the funding from Clarion Futures, REMO will be organising events to ignite community discussions on climate change and identify ways to make changes locally.
The organisation will also be running themed DIY workshops at its eco superstore in Wisbech to help residents create sustainable, personalised home decor, fostering pride in their living spaces.
Across the country, 23 organisations based in Clarion communities have received funding through the ‘Community Green Grants Programme’.
This new initiative offered grants of up to £7,500 to organisations delivering projects relating to a host of environmental issues, including improving access to green spaces, enhancing biodiversity and nature and engaging with local people to boost wellbeing and community cohesion.
This aligns with Clarion’s sustainability strategy, launched last year, which includes focus areas relating to wellbeing and placemaking and improving biodiversity and nature.
Andrew Callaghan, development worker for the Fenland Orchards Project at the CP Learning Trust, said: “Our community orchard is something I’m so proud of, providing local people with a space to come and learn about agriculture and nature in the great outdoors.
“It wouldn’t be possible without the support of organisations including Clarion Futures, and we’re so grateful for the funding they’ve given us.”
Matt Parsonage, head of communities at Clarion Futures, said: “Through our grants programme, we support all sorts of community projects each year, working with partners to provide opportunities to learn new skills and meet new people.
“Our Community Green Grants Programme was developed to help improve access to green spaces, increase biodiversity and boost our residents’ wellbeing, and we’re delighted to be working with these three fantastic organisations to bring this to life in Fenland.”
