Welsh Water supports 176 community groups with over £91k funding and 210 hours of volunteering activity during 2023

In 2023 Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water were delighted to award over £91k to 153 local groups and organisations which helped them to undertake innovative projects in their community.

The Welsh Water community fund contributions have enabled Community groups to purchase new essential equipment, schools have developed outdoor learning areas and sports groups have purchased kit they need to keep their clubs going.

The funding has also supported a number of projects which help to protect and enhance the environment through their biodiversity initiatives. This has included encouraging wildlife in local communities, installing bug and bat homes and providing funding to create outside learning areas.

The not-for-profit company has also enhanced the support they offer in local communities with over 210 hours of volunteering hours taking place through 23 volunteering activities throughout 2023.

Volunteering activities range from litter picking, supporting an animal rescue centre, tree planting and gardening. The activities focus on making a positive impact in communities and the environment.

An example of one of these volunteering events Welsh Water and contract partners Morrison Water Services employees gave up their time to offer extra care and attention to animals waiting to be rehomed at the Llys Nini RSPCA, based in Penllergaer, Swansea.

As a way of giving something back to the community, the group of 11 employees rolled up their sleeves and helped the animal charity with a range of activities including dog walking, cat socialising and gardening at the venue’s willow maze.

Welsh Water’s community fund was proud to support the cost of building Café Nini in 2023 with £500 which has made an essential impact on the centre’s ability to help generate much needed income.

Debbie Davies, Manager at Llys Nini RSPCA, said: “We were delighted to host a team from Dwr Cymru on a corporate volunteer day at our animal centre in Penllergaer, Swansea.

“The team were an absolute pleasure, from the minute they arrived they were keen to roll up their sleeves! First task of the day was dog walking, our dogs loved meeting everyone, having the walks and extra time out of the kennels just meant the world to them.  Next task was cat socialising, again the team were absolutely outstanding

Claire Roberts, Head of Community Engagement for Welsh Water said: “We’re proud to have supported so many incredible causes throughout 2023. As a not-for-profit organisation, customers are at the heart of everything we do. We already play a key role in our communities by providing the most essential of services – clean drinking water and treating wastewater before returning it back to the environment and we’re delighted to support local groups in this way.’’

Find out more about Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water community fund and support at Dwrcymru.com/communityfund