Ferry Farm Community Solar made its sixth community grant award with a further £20,000 being awarded to local community organisations. This is the first grant fund since the Coronavirus Crisis Fund launched at the start of the pandemic last year and swiftly follows the successful close of the community bond offer which formed part of a highly successful refinancing process in 2020.
19 of the 26 applications received funding with several supporting youth, health and environmentally focused projects. The awards made were:
Selsey Cricket Club - All Stars Cricket training for the next generation of colts - £400
Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital – funding towards a specially adapted animal ambulance - £1,250
Selsey Men-in-Sheds – for the purchase of tools and equipment to enable an increase in the number of members - £500
Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group – to provide a Heritage Trail leaflet, display materials and signage for the Heritage Trail Centre - £1,120
The Bridge’s Dance Live Team, The Academy, Selsey – to partly fund a storage container for stage sets and costumes - £500
Grow Selsey – development of a local service enabling families to access resources needed to grow healthy, sustainable food - £2,000
Arts Dream Selsey - to revive and restage 'Tonight Charlie Chaplin at the Pavilion' - £1,300
Youth Dream - funding a Youth Club in Selsey and Youth Worker to provide an evening safe space for young people - £1,000
Sidlesham Community Association – to purchase all weather picnic tables for refreshments served to those using the Memorial Playing Field - £1,890
Selsey Community First Responders – funding towards the replacement of metal defibrillator cabinets with polycarbonate ones, better suited to Selsey's climate - £2,000
Selsey Buddy Support - funding continuing support for Selsey's most vulnerable and needy residents - £2,000
Selsey Befriending Activities – funding towards the provision of support and activities for the vulnerable and elderly - £1,000
Selsey Carers Support - funding ongoing support and social interaction for unpaid carers to relieve stress and isolation - £1,000
Selsey Wellbeing Services – funding ongoing support of young people's mental health and wellbeing - £1,000
Selsey Community Forum - recording and making available present and future care plans to improve the care of those in need, particularly those with communication difficulties - 1,000
Selsey Dementia Action Alliance - provide ongoing support to those living with dementia and unpaid carers - £1,000
Selsey Money Support - provide ongoing one-to-one comprehensive support and advice for those in debt £1,000
In the 5 years since the community solar farm was built, more than £100,000 has been awarded to support local community organisations, groups and schools to deliver projects in Selsey and Sidlesham. Ferry Farm Community Solar is expected to generate around £2 million of community funding over its lifetime.