Victoria Park Community Centre in Bridgwater has been awarded almost £47,000 from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund, managed by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF). The funding will support essential services and better facilities for the vital Bridgwater community hub.
This includes contributing to staff costs for the centre’s youth club and the Local Pantry, a food initiative which sells low-cost food to members. It will also pay for new LED lighting, a sound system, chairs and kitchen equipment to support the people who regularly use the centre. 
The Local Pantry scheme, which is run from the centre, is having a huge positive impact on local people. Members pay £3.50 a week and in exchange receive up to £20 worth of food that would otherwise go to waste. Between May and September 2024, it prevented 2.45 tonnes of food from going to landfill.
“We’re delighted to support Victoria Park Community Centre through this grant,” said Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager at SCF. “This funding demonstrates how community resilience is built through the everyday connections that matter most – young people finding their place, families accessing affordable food and neighbours coming together over a shared meal. It’s these vital services that strengthen communities from the ground up.”
The centre benefits people of all ages in Bridgwater. The youth club helps young people make connections and develop skills at a time when funding for youth centres in Somerset is under threat. There’s also dedicated lunch clubs and activities for older residents.
“Over 1,000 people attend the centre during an average week, so the social value of this funding will be incredible,” said Laura Fowler, Centre Manager of Victoria Park Community Centre. “These improvements will have an overall positive effect for everyone in the area, from maintaining our vital youth club to supporting baby and toddler groups. The modernisation will help us future-proof the centre while keeping that welcoming atmosphere our community values.”
Andrew Cockcroft, Head of Stakeholder Relations at Hinkley Point C, added: “We’re really pleased to support a centre that does so much for the local community. Whether it’s helping families put food on the table or offering young people a safe space to socialise, our funding is all about backing schemes that help people feel supported and connected.”
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.
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.
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