ScottishPower Renewables gives back to East Anglia charities

The charities were nominated for funding by the East Anglia ONE wind farm team, based in Lowestoft.

Nelson’s Journey helps children and young people in Norfolk who have experienced the death of a significant person.

The charity is using the £5,000 to fund resources for its one-to-one support sessions, including memory activities, art and craft materials and therapeutic workbooks.

The donation to Waveney Domestic Violence and Abuse Forum is supporting its efforts to keep survivors safe and build a pathway to recovery, while Clinks Care Farm is creating work placements for disadvantaged people who are not entitled to social care funding.

In 2022, SPR donated £5,000 to The Shine Project in Lowestoft, as well as the Lowestoft Foodbank, run by The Trussel Trust.

For the past two years, it has also supported Re-Utilise, a Lowestoft-based community interest company dedicated to diverting clean waste away from landfill, making it available to be transformed into works of art or creative play.

Re-Utilise helps divert clean waste away from landfill, making it available to be transformed into works of art or creative play (Image: Re-Utilise)
The organisation invests all profits into craft workshops for children and adults who would not normally be able to access them.

SPR and supply chain partners like Farra Marine Limited, RMI Renewables and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy have made monetary donations, as well as freely offering personnel for essential work at Re-Utilise’s facility in Lowestoft.

More recently, SPR was able to donate refurbished laptops to Re-Utilise, ensuring they are put to valuable use.

“The support we have received from SPR has been much needed,” said Carol Dean, MD at Re-Utilise. “The recent addition of the laptops means we no longer have to go and make a cup of tea waiting for the computer to load – they have also given us the flexibility for more than one person to work at a time and even allow us to take work home. Thank you ScottishPower.”

James Hall, SPR’s health, safety, environmental, quality and compliance manager at EA ONE, said: “All our team live within 30 miles of our Lowestoft operations and maintenance base, and we’re proud to do our bit to support such worthwhile local charities.

“These are lifeline organisations for people and families – often during their most difficult and vulnerable moments – and help ensure local people get the help and support they not only need but deserve.

“This is just another example of how our wind farm is making a positive difference for East Anglia.”

James Hall of SPR (Image: SPR)
SPR will be supporting two more local charities this year – TOPCATS and The Excelsior Trust – with the team currently finalising its 2024 plans for fundraising and volunteering.

Based in Pakefield, Lowestoft, TOPCATS offers support for young people and adults with additional needs, from the age of zero to 30 years old.

The charity’s primary aim is to help individuals develop their social independence and life skills in a supported environment.

It also supplies young people with sensory, art, sport and music equipment, to help them build awareness of themselves and the world around them.

“At TOPCATS, we pride ourselves on supporting the most amazing young people with valuable independent living skills and all-important social skills,” said Anne Marie Battrick, service manager at TOPCATS.

“Our dedicated staff team offers fun and meaningful opportunities within our adapted setting and out in the local community too. We thank everyone for their support always.”

The Excelsior Trust in Lowestoft was established in 1983 with a goal to restore and maintain Excelsior, one of the UK’s most historic vessels.

It now offers sailing trips on the rebuilt vessel for travellers, young and disadvantaged people, schools and corporate groups.

All profits are reinvested into maintenance and preservation of Excelsior and other historic vessels.

“We’re delighted to receive the support of ScottishPower Renewables,” said Charlotte Hathaway, skipper, The Excelsior Trust. “As a community-focused charity, one of our big goals is to build closer ties with local businesses working in the maritime and offshore sectors. We can’t wait to develop our relationship further with the staff and organisation.”

For more information, visit spreastanglia.co.uk
 

This article is part of LOCALiQ's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.