Welsh people disconnected from community, according to new survey
- Only 44 per cent of Welsh homeowners think their community is thriving
- 1 in 3 people in Wales never engage in community activities
- 20 per cent of residents don’t feel connected to their local community
- Certas Energy launches £30k fund to support local communities
A new survey released today by Humphreys Oil, part of Certas Energy, has shown that less than half of Welsh homeowners (44 per cent) think their community is thriving, with many never engaging in community activities.
While the national survey shows that Wales isn’t alone in facing challenges when it comes to community connection, Wales has one of the highest rates of community disengagement in the UK. Nearly 1 in 3 (32 per cent) Welsh people never participate in community activities, compared to 1 in 4 across the rest of the UK.
The survey also showed that those living in rural areas across the UK are 23 per cent less likely to feel engaged with their community than their urban counterparts, highlighting an added challenge for Wales’ many rural communities.
Off grid energy distributor Humphreys Oil, part of Certas Energy, is on a mission to change this through its £30,000 Community Bloom Fund.
Humphreys Oil which serves rural communities across Wales, is offering community groups within the UK a chance to receive £30,000 in funding to help improve a local shared space or initiative. The fund can be used to spruce up community centres, refresh local parks or sponsor local sports teams – anything that will bring communities and the people within them closer together.
Richard Billington, the MD of Energy Solutions for Certas Energy, explained: “We supply off grid energy across Wales and the UK, and every day we see first-hand the power of community. When we saw that 1 in 3 Welsh people never engage in community activities, we knew we had to do something to help change that.”
“That’s why the Community Bloom fund exists, to bring people together, bolster communities and create a greater sense of place, especially in rural communities. Whether it’s parent and baby groups, gardening clubs or local community centres that host different events, having easily accessible and thriving community initiatives can make such a difference to people’s physical and mental health.”
To be in with a chance to secure the funding, community groups are invited to apply by 28th May 2025. Applicants should share a summary of the work they do and explain how they would use the funds to support the local project.
Apply by visiting: www.certasenergy.co.uk/community-bloom-fund
