Science museum fund grants of up to £20,000 for community climate change and STEM projects

Two programmes aimed at voluntary groups, charities and schools in the Wroughton area will support environmental, science and community projects, thanks to an ongoing partnership between Wiltshire Community Foundation and the Science Museum Group.

The Science Museum Wroughton Sustainable Futures grants will offer grants up to £20,000 for projects centred around technology, ecology, renewable energy and habitat conservation, while the Supporting Communities Fund will award grants of up to £2,500 for projects that will benefit communities in Wroughton, Chiseldon, Clyffe Pypard, Broad Town, Broad Hinton, Ogbourne St George, Ogbourne St Andrew, Aldbourne and Baydon.

The Sustainable Futures Grants will benefit communities within a 10km radius of Wroughton Solar Park.

Both programmes are being run on behalf of the Wroughton museum, which has worked with the community foundation since 2017, using community benefit revenue from its solar park.

Fiona Oliver, joint chief executive of Wiltshire Community Foundation, said: “The Sustainable Futures Grants are aimed at groups running projects that reduce a community’s carbon footprint, create sustainable or renewable energy solutions, take positive action on climate change, increase learning in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering or maths) or harness them to address a local problem. We want to inspire real long-term change in communities.”

Last year 1^st Stratton St Margaret Scout Group received almost £17,000 to fund the purchase of 24 solar panels for the roof of its scout hall and a battery. Group trustee Roz Gould said the panels will provide most of the energy the hall needs, with any surplus being fed into the national grid to provide extra income.

The installation won’t just have an economic benefit, the group’s leadership will use it to underpin project work and activities for the young people around sustainability, climate change and STEM subjects such as engineering and science.

“They know all about it and they're very pleased,” said Mrs Gould. “When we told them about it they couldn't believe it, they're very excited.”

Friends of Shaw Ridge Primary School, which received £18,000 to build a sustainable timber shelter in its Unity Garden so that pupils can enjoy outdoor learning in the winter months.

“It will enable us to take children outside either in small groups or as a whole class, to work, study, investigate and learn, giving them first-hand experiences with topics in their native habitat,” said FOSR volunteer Abbie Dart.

The Supporting Communities programme is aimed at projects that bring people together to tackle loneliness, mental health issues or health and wellbeing, those that create a community asset, such as a garden or play area, or work to protect or enhance a wildlife area.

The grants are also aimed at groups addressing issues such as anti-social behaviour or literacy or those teaching life skills such as budgeting and cooking.

“We want to see the Supporting Communities programme really making a difference to people by creating or enhancing community assets or running projects that give people the opportunity to improve their lives,” said Mrs Oliver.

“Our partnership with the Science Museum Group has already seen some wonderful applications that are making communities better, more engaged with science and the environment and we want to see that continue. We are very proud that the group continues to place its trust in our knowledge and experience to reach the parts of communities that it can’t.”

The programmes are open for applications until December 15. Full details of eligibility and how to apply for the grants are at wiltshirecf.org.uk/grants-and-support/groups. For more information contact the community foundation on 01380 729284 or [email protected].