Charities and community groups in Cottingham and Hull awarded Harmony Energy Income Trust Community Fund

The community fund is allocated to initiatives located within a five-mile radius of HEIT’s Pillswood battery energy storage system (BESS) in Cottingham.

These local community initiatives are estimated to directly benefit over 2,500 individuals, according to the charities and community groups supported by the fund.

Allocations are based on the positive impact each initiative is expected to have on the local community and/or the natural environment.

From transforming wasteland to community space, to enhancing local biodiversity, and empowering Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, the fund provides an important opportunity to help communities in Cottingham and Hull thrive during these challenging times.

Harmony Energy’s Head of Sustainability, Lucie Peralta Agass, commented on the latest allocations: “The community funds are an important way in which HEIT supports communities located near its sites.

"We are grateful for all the applications we receive, and it is a privilege to be able to help these worthwhile initiatives. I am thrilled to see the community fund being allocated to projects that benefit the diverse communities and the environment in Cottingham and Hull, expanding Harmony’s positive community impact.”

The Peel Project, a local community organisation providing support services to Hull’s ethnically diverse community, said: "We support the underserved ethnic minority communities in Hull, many of whom are first-generation immigrants facing language barriers and other challenges associated with life in the UK.

"The HEIT Pillswood Community Fund is a game changer for us, providing the necessary funding to enhance our Household Support Programme offering on energy-saving. With this funding, we have distributed over 1,000 energy-saving light bulbs to families in need and translated our bespoke materials into different languages to reach more people."

Committed to operating responsibly and promoting positive environmental and social change, HEIT’s assets are crucial in achieving Net Zero, contributing to energy security and affordability.

Each of HEIT’s operational sites features a dedicated community fund aimed at supporting initiatives that positively impact people and/or enhance the natural environment. HEIT’s contribution amounts to £100 per MW stored at each of our sites annually from the start of commercial operations.

Below, further details are provided on the community initiatives being supported by HEIT Pillswood Community Fund, and the important work each initiative is doing to promote social and environmental sustainability:

The Peel Project CIC TPP Home Energy Saving Project: Funds will help empower Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities in Hull to make informed choices about energy efficiency, cost-saving, and sustainability.

Humber All Nations Alliance Outdoor Development: Funding will help transform a neglected piece of wasteland into a vibrant community space, encouraging volunteering, gardening, and mental health support activities focused on supporting BAME communities in Hull and enhancing biodiversity.

KIDS Understanding Me Project: Funds support vulnerable young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs through effective Draw and Talk and LEGO® Therapy interventions.

Families for Individual Needs and Dignity (FIND): Funds going towards laptops for disabled adults with complex needs, to help address social and mental health challenges faced by many users, allowing them to access technology in a safe and supportive environment.

Marfleet PCC – Building the Vision: Funds go towards a redevelopment plan to remove asbestos, install solar panels, repair old wooden floors and create further storage and meeting spaces. The project includes constructing a new wing for a café-style community space, improving accessibility, and executing a carbon-minimisation strategy for long-term sustainability.

Cottingham Community Gardening Group: Funds helping to build a permanent wooden gazebo in the community garden for year-round protection and activities, doubling as a welcoming space for visitors to rest, socialise, and foster community connections.

Friends of Garrowby Orchard – My Space Derringham: Funds going towards art workshops using creativity to help young people and families understand nature and enhance their local environment, creating empowerment and sense of ownership over how public spaces are used. Workshops also raise awareness of the importance of urban greenspaces for nature and human wellbeing.

North Hull Community Rainbow Gardens: Funds will help to repair and improve the Rainbow Community Garden, fixing the leaky roof, introducing new fruit trees to enhance biodiversity and attract wildlife, and increasing seating capacity under a new pergola, which serves as a safe/inclusive space for volunteers.

Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), HEIT prioritises Quality Education (SDG 4) and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) to create positive environmental and social change.

For more information about HEIT’s community initiatives, visit the Harmony Energy official website.