Community climate action expands to West of England

The Bristol-born community-led model for climate action that tangibly improves people’s lives as well as the local environment is expanding out into the region.

Six organisations based in North Somerset, Gloucestershire and Bath have been granted funding to join the 17 Bristol organisations that have created community climate action plans over the last five years with the support of Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership.

South Gloucestershire Race Equality Network said the project is “important and timely”, and will give their community influence and agency – photo: South Gloucestershire Race Equality Network

Each organisation will receive £30,000 of funding over two years to work with the local community on issues like energy bills, access to nature, food growing and whatever residents want to prioritise to make their lives greener, healthier and happier.

So far the programme has led to the creation of local jobs, new and enhanced green spaces, an increase in wildlife, skills training for young people, reduced waste and a reduction in carbon equivalent to planting 3,294 trees or heating 156 homes for a year.

The new cohort join the 17 Bristol organisations before them in receiving funding, mentoring and expert support to improve their communities – photo: Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership

The six organisations are Bath MIND, Clevedon YMCA, Hambrook Sports Club, Pill Community Foundation, South Gloucestershire Race Equality Network and Twerton & Whiteway Community Network.

They represent a diverse range of interests including mental wellbeing, youth services, the cost of living crisis and sustainable villages and estates.

“Pill Community Foundation is delighted to join this programme,” said Aileen Edwards, a trustee. “Harnessing the great grassroots groups and fantastic people in our village, we are excited to build sustainability for everyone, recognising the daily challenges for people and the planet.

“We are keen to build skills, maximise local resources and tackle poverty.”

Pill Community Foundation works to improve the lives of people in Pill, Easton-in-Gordano and Ham Green, with a community hub for information, training and advice and projects to prevent food poverty, connect local people and improve community empowerment – photo: Pill Community Foundation

Twerton and Whiteway Community Network Member Brendan Tate Wistreich said the organisation is looking forward to building on the strengths of their neighbourhood, a housing estate situated near Bath City Farm:

“The area has a wealth of green space, community services, and active residents, which with the right support can provide a model for what a sustainable community looks like,” he said.

“Hambrook Sports Club is thrilled to be on this journey, bringing the varied voices of our member community together to focus on positive actions that will support nature and climate in our pavilion, on Whiteshill Common, and beyond,” said Naomi Bowler, the club’s chair.

And Bath MIND emphasised the value of collaboration between climate experts and community in developing plans that benefit local people:

“Co-production is key to advancing shared, progressive ideas about climate action within our communities,” said Georgia Hughes, who leads on the Greenlinks Group. “By working together to shape our climate and nature action plan, we can strengthen the wellbeing of our green spaces and the innate close relationships and bonds with people and nature.”

Clevedon YMCA provides services to young people who are not in education, employment or training, and activities for Adults with Learning Disabilities. They have started community development work to tackle the cost of living crisis – photo: Clevedon YMCA

The expansion of the community climate action project is testament to its success in Bristol, with initiatives and communities citywide experiencing positive changes as a result of their involvement, from Really Wild Lockleaze to refugees, Southmead Development Trust to Disabled people.

West of England mayor Helen Godwin welcomed the news, saying:

“These six organisations bring a brilliant mix of local knowledge, trusted community networks, and real ambition for change. Working together, they will be able to share ideas, build stronger connections, and shape practical solutions that reflect what matters most to local people.

“By supporting our residents to help lead the way in supporting nature and cutting pollution, we can strengthen community pride while tackling flooding, investing in our neighbourhoods, and breathing cleaner air. I’m excited to see their ideas put into practice as we continue building a greener West of England.”

Main image: Bath MIND

Read next:

• BS3 goes wild for moths and grubs
• One Love One Planet: Bringing the climate conversation home
• Bristol’s first community climate action plans launched