A grant, jointly funded by Somerset Council and its collections contractor SUEZ recycling and recovery, has helped three Somerset community groups thrive.

The Best Before Food Store in Wellington, Prodigal Bikes of Crewkerne and Victoria Park Community Centre in Bridgwater have all benefitted from the Waste Not Somerset Fund. The fund was set up to support community projects that stop or reduce waste and is managed by Somerset Community Foundation.

The fund, which uses ring-fenced income from the sale of recyclable materials, could also be used to support reuse and repair initiatives, helping residents to fix their pre-loved items.

Groups were invited to apply for funding, with successful applicants chosen by a panel, based on projects that work to reduce waste, increase reuse and repair, influence, and encourage sustainable behaviour.

The fund is managed by Somerset Community Foundation, a grant-making charity that helps build strong communities where everyone can thrive, by funding local charities and facilitating local giving.

Cllr Richard Wilkins, Executive Member for Transport and Waste Services said:

We want Somerset to be a greener and more sustainable place and while recycling is great reducing waste is even better.

These grants have the added benefit of helping community groups grow with all the positives that come with a flourishing community sector.

Lily Morton, Senior Community Liaison Manager at SUEZ said:

Backing some of the amazing community groups in Somerset has been brilliant.

Empowering community groups to tackle waste, alongside supporting their local community is a win win!

Seeing what the groups have done with the funding, it’s clear that they are vital to changing resident behaviours towards waste. All the groups align perfectly with SUEZ’s vision to live in a world where there is no more waste!

Fiona Foster, Senior Philanthropy Manager at Somerset Community Foundation said:

We’re extremely privileged that SUEZ and Somerset Council chose to partner with Somerset Community Foundation to create their Waste Not Somerset Fund.

It’s great to be working alongside these experienced waste partners to support local groups and grassroots charities, working to reduce waste in the heart of our communities here in Somerset.

Groups that received a grant include:

• Best Before Food Store, a Wellington-based membership scheme for local residents who are finding it difficult to afford essentials. The grant has helped the scheme to expand and provide personal hygiene products to members that would otherwise go to waste. The volunteers at Best Before Food Store also have received funding to put on monthly cooking demonstrations, that aim to help reduce food waste. Members of the Best Before Food Store said:

Coming to the Best Before Food Store has helped me massively, and prevents products from going to landfill.

Nothing has to be wasted. It has made me think about products in a different way.

• Prodigal Bikes is a small charity in Crewkerne, formed in 2016. Their volunteers collect unwanted mountain bikes donated by the public and bike shops. The bikes are refurbished and upgraded by local people including those with SEND or mental health issues, which helps give them basic engineering skills alongside other benefits. The grant supported the processing of 170 bikes, saving about 2.5 tonnes of waste. 40 of these bikes went to local refugees to help with transport for day to day living. Anthony Raybould, Prodigal Bike’s Operations Manager, said:

We really appreciate funding like this which we can use to support our running costs.

• Victoria Park Community Centre, Bridgwater provides a range of community facilities including a café and free computer access. The Local Pantry was set up in February 2023, and in just 5 months between May 2024 and September 2024 they have prevented 2.45 tonnes of food waste. This grant enabled the Community Centre to become increase their FareShare quantity and help more people. Using some of the funding they also held three workshops: a clothes swap, family cooking and reusable personal hygiene products. Laura Fowler, Centre Manager, said:

The social value of the Pantry not only means reducing food waste but we’re able to support people on low incomes through the cost-of-living crisis, adding value to their weekly food costs with amazing foods, valued at approximately £20.00 for £3.50 per week.