Hinkley Point Community Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_8A504633

Annual Expenditure: £1.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,400,000 (approx. £1.4 million in 2023/24)
  • Success Rate: 67% (the fund typically supports 2 out of every 3 applications)
  • Decision Time: 3 months for small grants; 8 months for grants over £50,000
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £300,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Somerset (areas impacted by Hinkley Point C construction - particularly Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Sedgemoor, and Somerset West & Taunton)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.somersetcf.org.uk/grants-and-funding/hpc-community-fund
  • Phone: 01749 344949
  • Email: info@somersetcf.org.uk
  • Senior Programmes Manager: Amelia Thompson (amelia.thompson@somersetcf.org.uk)
  • Address: Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, The Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN
  • Registered Charity: 1094446

For pre-application support or if you need help with your application, contact Somerset Community Foundation on the numbers above.

Overview

The Hinkley Point C Community Fund was established to support communities affected by the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, which has been ongoing since 2017 and is expected to continue through at least 2027. EDF Energy committed £20 million to improve the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of impacted communities, with £12.8 million allocated to the Community Fund managed by Somerset Community Foundation. Since launching, the fund has distributed over £10 million to local projects across Somerset. The fund specifically targets areas experiencing “residual and intangible impacts” from the construction, with a mission to mitigate community impacts and help residents access opportunities created by the project. In 2023/24 alone, the fund awarded approximately £1.4 million across 49 grants. Somerset Community Foundation, led by Chief Executive Justin Sargent OBE DL since 2005, manages the fund with oversight from a panel including representatives from SCF, Somerset Council, EDF, and independent community members.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: £5,000 - £20,000 (£10,000 for one year, or up to £20,000 over three years for smaller groups)

  • Rolling application process with deadlines throughout the year (typically 4-6 per year)
  • Decisions made every 3 months
  • Online application through Somerset Community Foundation portal
  • Approximately £200,000 available annually from this programme

Open Grants Programme: £5,000 - £300,000+

  • Grants from £5,000 to £49,999
  • Grants for projects over £50,000
  • Multi-year grants over £10,000 per year available
  • 4 fixed deadlines per year
  • Applications over £50,000 require approximately 8 months for decision

Priority Areas

The fund supports projects that improve community wellbeing and quality of life in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C construction. Key areas include:

  • Community Infrastructure: Building refurbishments, village halls, sports facilities, and community centres
  • Health and Wellbeing: Hospice care, mental health support, services for vulnerable groups
  • Social Connection: Projects that improve community cohesion and reduce isolation
  • Youth Services: Support for young people, including LGBTQ+ support networks
  • Sports and Recreation: Community sports facilities, clubs, and recreational opportunities
  • Disability Support: Services for people with learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental challenges
  • Financial Capability: Financial education and advice services
  • Environmental Projects: Projects that enhance local environmental wellbeing

Applications are more likely to succeed if the organization is located in communities that have experienced significant impacts from Hinkley Point C construction.

What They Don't Fund

  • Statutory duties for schools: Educational activities for pupils during school day, classroom equipment, teacher training
  • Places of worship repairs: Unless there's clear evidence of regular use by the wider community
  • Animal welfare: Unless projects clearly benefit people in the wider community (e.g., horse therapy, supported volunteering schemes)
  • Medical research, equipment, or treatment
  • Political groups or activities: Projects intending to influence political parties or religious choices
  • Retrospective funding: Activities already paid for or committed to before grant award
  • Activities that are statutory responsibilities of government and public bodies
  • Private companies: Cannot normally apply

Applicants must meet Somerset Community Foundation's minimum standards for governance, financial management, and safeguarding.

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Governance and Leadership

Somerset Community Foundation Leadership:

  • Chief Executive: Justin Sargent OBE DL (leading the organization since 2005)
  • Chair of Trustees: Michael Samuel MBE (appointed October 2022)
  • Senior Programmes Manager (HPC Fund): Amelia Thompson (joined October 2022)

Grant Decision Panel:

Recommendations are made by Somerset Community Foundation, with final decisions made by a panel comprising representatives from:

  • Somerset Community Foundation
  • Somerset Council
  • EDF Energy
  • Independent community members

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Amelia Thompson on hospice funding: “Both hospices were awarded the funding to pay for community support nurses to help bring specialist end-of-life care into the homes of terminally ill patients. The care is tailored to each individual and is a critical component of the work done by the hospices, helping to reduce the stress of travelling by delivering support at home.”

The Foundation seeks trustees with insights into communities closest to Hinkley Point C, and trustees typically sit on sub-committees including the HPC Community Fund Awards Panel or Finance & Governance Committee.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application: Applications are submitted through Somerset Community Foundation's online portal. Groups unable to use the online form or needing extra support can contact the Foundation directly.

Pre-Application Support: Contact Somerset Community Foundation on 01749 344949 or email info@somersetcf.org.uk for advice before applying. Amelia Thompson, Senior Programmes Manager, is available to support applicants.

Application Deadlines:

  • Small Grants: Rolling programme with deadlines every 2-3 months
  • Open Grants: 4 fixed deadlines per year

Required Documentation: Applicants should ensure they meet minimum standards for governance, financial management, and safeguarding.

Decision Timeline

Small Grants (up to £20,000): Decisions made every 3 months from submission deadline

Medium Grants (£5,000-£49,999): Typical timeframe approximately 3-4 months

Large Grants (over £50,000): Approximately 8 months to reach a decision

Assessment Process: A team member reads the application, reviews supporting documents, checks the Charity Commission and organization website, and may contact the applicant with questions.

Success Rates

The fund typically supports 2 out of every 3 applications, representing a 67% success rate.

In 2023/24:

  • 17 new grant awards made
  • Total of 49 grants awarded across all HPC Community Fund programmes
  • New grants worth £1,435,789 awarded

Since launch (2017): Over £10 million distributed to community projects across Somerset.

Reapplication Policy

If an application is unsuccessful, Somerset Community Foundation will explain why. Specific reapplication policies and waiting periods were not publicly documented in available sources. Contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

  1. Demonstrate HPC Impact: Applications are more likely to succeed if the organization is in communities that have experienced significant impacts from Hinkley Point C. Use data from Somerset Council's Socio-Economic Advisory Group (SEAG) reports to evidence how your community has been impacted.
  1. Meet Minimum Standards: Ensure your organization meets Somerset Community Foundation's standards for governance, financial management, and safeguarding before applying.
  1. Focus on Community Wellbeing: Projects must clearly improve community wellbeing and quality of life. Articulate how your project addresses residual and intangible impacts from construction.
  1. Right-Size Your Application: Smaller organizations should typically apply to Small Grants (up to £20,000). Larger, more established organizations can apply to Open Grants.
  1. Multi-Year Thinking: The fund supports multi-year projects. Consider how sustained funding over 2-3 years could deepen your impact.
  1. Geographic Targeting: Organizations based in Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Sedgemoor, and Somerset West & Taunton are particularly well-positioned if they serve areas directly impacted by HPC construction.

Recent Funded Projects (2023/24):

  • 2BU Somerset: £75,000 over 3 years for LGBTQ+ young people support network
  • Brainwave: £85,000 over 3 years for children with neurodevelopmental challenges
  • Bridgwater and Albion RFC: £80,000 over 3 years for community sports facility renovation
  • Berrow Community Association: £31,513 for village hall improvements
  • St Margaret's Hospice: £132,294 for community nursing capacity
  • Weston Hospicecare: £150,000 for additional community support
  • Navigate: £150,891 for financial education program expansion
  • PROMISEworks: £110,000 for three-year presence in Bridgwater/Sedgemoor

Large Infrastructure Awards:

  • £250,000 grants for Wembdon village hall and Williton memorial ground/pavilion
  • £350,000 for Burnham Evolution Project
  • £320,000 for Cheddar Community Pavilion
  • £300,000 for North Petherton community gym

Common Terminology:

  • “Residual and intangible impacts”
  • “Community wellbeing and quality of life”
  • “Social connection and community cohesion”
  • “Mitigating construction impacts”
  • “Accessing opportunities created by HPC”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Evidence the Impact: Use SEAG reports and local data to demonstrate how your community has been specifically impacted by HPC construction. The stronger your evidence of impact, the more competitive your application.
  1. 67% Success Rate is Strong: With a two-thirds success rate, this is a relatively accessible fund compared to many national funders. Don't be discouraged—well-prepared applications have good odds.
  1. Seek Pre-Application Guidance: The Foundation actively encourages contact before application. Use this opportunity to test your ideas and strengthen your proposal before formal submission.
  1. Plan for Timeline: Factor in 3 months for small grants, 8 months for large grants. Plan your project start dates accordingly and don't apply for retrospective funding.
  1. Multi-Year Funding Available: If your project needs sustained support, request multi-year funding (up to 3 years). The fund explicitly supports this approach for deeper community impact.
  1. Meet Minimum Standards First: Before investing time in an application, ensure your organization's governance, financial management, and safeguarding meet SCF's standards. This is non-negotiable.
  1. Think Broadly About Wellbeing: The fund has supported diverse projects from sports facilities to hospice care to LGBTQ+ youth support. If it improves community wellbeing in HPC-impacted areas, it's worth exploring.

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