The Somerset Levels and Moors Shed (SLaMS) has been awarded £4,920 of funding from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund, managed by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), alongside £1,845 from Shal Housing Association, to build recycling bin storage shelters for housing association tenants living in Bridgwater.
The local charity group, SLaMs, is part of the UK’s Men’s Shed Association. The members, also known as ‘shedders’, come from all walks of life, including retirees, those out of work, carers needing time out, and individuals with long-term medical conditions.
The group offers a supportive environment to learn and make friends, improving the wellbeing of its members and reducing loneliness and social isolation. SLaMS also get involved in helping the local community with a range of projects centred around making, repairing, and repurposing. 
In total, 41 recycling bin shelters were built by the shedders for tenants who wanted to improve the appearance of their homes, offering a tidier solution to organise and store recycling waste outside their houses.
Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager at SCF, said: “Organisations like SLaMs play an important role in our communities, offering connection, conversation and creation. They encourage people to come together and support their local area and projects.
“Not only did the shedders have the opportunity to create the bin shelters, but our funding has also meant local residents who live in areas impacted by HPC can now enjoy improved facilities.”
Andrew Cockcroft, Senior Stakeholder Relations Manager at Hinkley Point C, added: “It’s great to see so many brilliant local projects making a big difference to the lives of people in and around Bridgwater thanks to the Hinkley Point C Community Fund. Projects that will provide a long-lasting positive effect and be a legacy for the community for years to come.”
The HPC Community Fund includes the Small Grants Programme which awards grants of up to £20,000, and the Open Grants Programme, for larger applications.
The funding is for groups working in local communities to address changes to people’s quality of life or to make the most of the opportunities created by Hinkley Point C. Visit www.hpcfunds.co.uk for more details.
Anyone who would like to discuss a project or idea can contact Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager by emailing amelia.thompson@somersetcf.org.uk or telephoning 01749 344949.
The HPC Community Fund is part of a wider commitment of funding provided by EDF through Section 106 agreements. It is available for communities that are affected by the development of the new nuclear power station, to help promote their social, economic and environmental wellbeing and enhance their quality of life. Hundreds of projects have benefitted so far, and in total almost £15.5 million in grants have been awarded to date, including £8.34 million from the fund managed by SCF.
Somerset Community Foundation is a grant-making charity that helps build strong communities where everyone can thrive. They do this by funding local charities and facilitating local giving.
They provide simple, rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give locally, guided by research and our unrivalled local knowledge.
For small, local charities, community groups and social enterprises, SCF provides vital funding and support to help their organisations flourish. They provide over £4 million of funding to local groups every year.
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