COMMUNITY groups across Solihull have been given a cash boost and can turn projects into a reality.
A whopping £15,000 was handed to nine groups during this year’s round of Veolia’s Community Environment Fund.
Representatives from each successful group or project were invited to join Veolia, the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Annette Mackenzie, and Solihull Council at a celebration event to receive their awards and to share updates on their project journey.
The Mayor of Solihull, said: “I was delighted to meet the people behind the nine fantastic projects that have been awarded funding, and be invited to celebrate their success.
“I wish all of the projects the best of luck in their progress, and thank them and Veolia, for their continued effort to better our community and protect our wonderful green spaces in Solihull.”
Friends of Hope Coppice were given funds to replace a bench at Hope Coppice and creating a wildflower area to support pollinators.
Friends of Hillfield Park have been awarded money to install inclusive play equipment at Hillfield Park, as well as introduce bird and bat boxes throughout the park to support existing biodiversity and attract a wider variety of bird species.
The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association were given a boost to improve green spaces through wildflower planting and sustainable gardening workshops, while educating and engaging residents.
Solihull Moors Foundation are set to organise a weekly litter picking event to help keep the area clean and safe.
Ralph Road Allotment Association want to enhance its shared space to create a communal orchard and planting wildflowers to attract pollinators.
Solihull Tree Wardens are set to use funding to source equipment which will be used to replace Lea Wood’s path hedge.
Elmdon Park Support Group plan to honour the park’s history with a new display showcasing a timeline of events.
Dorridge and District Residents Association and Shirley Community Association will have been handed funds to continue litter picking efforts and rewild the natural environment by planting native wildflowers.
And Shirley Community Association will be building on their ongoing work with the Shirley Centre Garden, focusing on enhancing biodiversity at the location.
In addition to the £15,000 awarded, a further £5,000 of Community Environment funding has been directly allocated to support specific community projects in Solihull with litter picking and gardening equipment.
Sue Cummine, Solihull senior contract manager, Veolia said: “The Community Environment Fund allows us to support the communities we serve beyond delivering essential recycling and waste collection and street cleaning services and we are so pleased to have funded nine fantastic projects this year.
“I look forward to seeing how these projects flourish and enhance Solihull’s environment, making it a cleaner and greener borough.”