COVID -19 UPDATE

How we’re supporting our communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak

The unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak is having an impact on all of our daily lives in one way or another, but particularly those most vulnerable. The charities and support networks that these people turn to in times of need are in more demand now than ever before, and they themselves need help to keep going and are otherwise at risk of not being able to stay afloat. Severn Trent is committed to supporting our communities, and that’s why we’re proud to be giving £1 million to support non-profit organisations and charities that are helping the most vulnerable in society during this difficult time. To get the money to where it’s needed as fast as possible so we’re not going to be asking organisations to apply. Instead, we’re going to be working with Community Foundations, Councils for Voluntary Service and local authorities within region and use their expertise to identify charities most in need of the support. Then donating to these organisations directly, rather than accepting requests.

Temporarily closing the Community Fund to new applications

Whilst Severn Trent temporarily re-focus some of our fund to support charities directly helping those affected by coronavirus, we’re going to be temporarily closing the Community Fund to other new applications. The feedback we have had is that many projects will not be able to start work over the coming weeks anyway, and need to postpone their applications so we’ll reopen for applications in Summer 2020 and we’ll let you know as soon as we do. Don’t worry, any applications that have already been submitted will be reviewed at our June panel as normal and any successful applications will still be paid in July 2020. If you have started but not yet submitted an application, you will still be able to edit and save your application but unfortunately you will not be able to submit it until we reopen. Severn Trent are sorry that we won’t be accepting more applications at this time, but we truly believe this temporary re-focus is the right thing to do for the communities we serve.

REOPEN IN SUMMER 2020

Application for Severn Trent’s Community Fund are now OPEN! Severn Trent customers, and the communities we live and work in, are at the heart of everything we do. And that’s why, from 2020, they will be going to be giving away £10million over the next five years to support local projects, charities and community groups in the Severn Trent region – helping to make a real and tangible difference in our communities.

Projects chosen by customers

The fund is overseen by the Community Fund Panel, who review applications on a quarterly basis, and so, ultimately, it’s you who will decide where the money will be spent. Community Fund Panel will meet for the first time in March 2020 and we will be giving out our first grants to local community projects from April 2020.

How it works and who can apply

Severn Trent customers have helped us to create and shape our new community fund. We’ve spoken to lots of you to better understand your community needs, and as a result, have chosen to design our fund around improving community wellbeing. By this we mean:

People: Projects that help people to lead a healthier life and gain new skills
Places: Projects that help to create better places to live in and use
Environment: Projects that will help look after our natural environment, give people greater access to that environment or help look after water

And of course, being a water company, naturally we’d love to see applications for projects that have a connection to the water cycle too! This might mean creating sustainable drainage, installing grey water recycling or creating water efficient green spaces.

Applying for funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund

If your organisation is registered not-for-profit, and the project you would like to fund will benefit Severn Trent customers, you may be eligible for a grant from the Severn Trent Community Fund.

Applications are welcomed all-year round and capital and revenue projects will be considered, as long as the application shows how the project will be sustained beyond the investment. To apply and to find out more, please visit www.stwater.co.uk/communityfund or to get in touch with the team please contact us at communityfund@severntrent.co.uk