Deb Hoskin, from Millbrook in Cornwall, has recently been shortlisted for an Unlock Net Zero national award for steps she has taken to look after the environment in her local community. 

Through the charity she set up in 2012, Deb has partnered with us to spearhead a number of volunteering projects designed to use the environment to develop learning opportunities for young people.

Talking about her charity, Deb said: “When it started, we had no funding and no money. Someone personally lent the money to rent the allotment for the first year, which was about £230. The size of 10 allotments, from Plymouth city council.”

Thanks to funding given through our Community Grant, Deb was able to help children in a therapy project she ran at Marlborough Street Primary School in Devonport, to create wildlife gardens, a pond, hedgerow and much more.

She has also created a community orchard with residents at our Liskeard Foyer and carried out gardening projects at our foyers in Plymouth and Bodmin.

Deb added: “It is through LiveWest staff support that I was able to create a community orchard and vegetable and flower growing with residents.

Volunteering is brilliant and will always give something back to the person. Volunteering will mean something different to each person but it’s recognising many projects, charities, and community things like this wouldn't be able to run without volunteers.”

Huge congratulations to Deb for being nominated for the award! 

We are committed to sustainability at LiveWest, increasing energy efficiency, reducing our carbon footprint and improving living costs for customers. We work with our customers and partners to make sure sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Find out more about sustainability at LiveWest.