We are committed to having a positive impact on our communities. One way we do this is by supporting community projects and initiatives, including providing grants and volunteers. 

Our community connectors work with communities on projects and activities to help to make sure people love where they live, and to provide opportunities. 

You can read about some of the support we have given community projects over the past few months. If you have an idea for something in your community, get in touch with the community connector in your area.

Award-winning community garden in Plymouth, Devon

A community garden developed above an air raid shelter in Plymouth reached the final of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and BBC One Growing Together Award.

Local volunteers transformed the land at Melbourne Green into a community haven with blooming flowers and vegetables to feed the community.

The BBC One Show launched a competition to discover community groups who have encouraged local people to get in touch with nature and transform local areas into green spaces.

LiveWest resident, Lynn Clarke who is a dedicated volunteer gardener, entered the competition for the community’s efforts and is proud of their achievements. 

Lynn Clarke, LiveWest resident and volunteer gardener, said: “This is now our second year, and it has been a real community effort especially for a lot of people in this area. Unless you live here, you wouldn’t have come into this area really. But now people walk their dog right here. People come out of their house, and they now know each other.

“When we first came here, LiveWest came out they gave us vouchers for plants and paint. The workmen who live round here in the LiveWest vans come round here and anything that they're throwing away, they drop off here for us. So, I can't fault LiveWest, they've been very good to us. 

“I would say LiveWest has backed us 100% with what we've done, and they want to see it continue happening. I think it’s great LiveWest supports the community, and they like what we are doing to keep it nice.”

During the 1800s, the area was used as a paddock for resting and unloading horses along their journey to market. At the start of the war, the area was turned an underground air raid shelter. Following the war, the shelter was filled in with rubble and turned into a washing line facility but with the introduction of household driers the area became derelict. 

Lynn explained: “It was an air raid shelter underneath and there were railway lines underneath here. And we still see the Railway Society, they do tours around this area, and they still come round and have a look to see where the trains used to come under here.

“I’ve been here 30 years but we’re still learning because somebody else will come round and say, ‘oh, I remember this 50 years ago’ and say something we didn't know.

“It’s amazing what you can do, isn’t it? I just think, you know, when people see what you can make from our produce, even if it’s just vegetable soup. Winter is coming, and we don’t need to go to the shops and buy things, we’ve got it all here.”

Apple harvest in Lerryn, Cornwall

We have helped to support a volunteer apple harvest near Lerryn, Cornwall. Through volunteering and providing a grant for training to help with the harvest, the project has helped to supply fresh nutritious food for communities across Cornwall and Devon, including the Tamar Valley Community Fridge which we helped to set up in 2022.

Free sports and activities in Yate, South Gloucestershire 

We held a community sports day in Yate in partnership with other organisations, with free taster sessions or hockey, yoga, kickboxing and drone flying, as well as a wide range of other sports, games and activities. The day gave the opportunity for residents of Ladden Garden Village, a new development, to get involved and bring the community together.