Energised Communities
We’re providing support and inspiration for ten disadvantaged rural communities in Wales and England to develop community-led actions focused on reducing energy use and generating clean energy.
Putting energy at the heart of communities
Some rural communities face significant hardship through lack of affordable housing, fuel and food poverty, lack of employment, and poor access to services and transport. And many in these communities are struggling financially – not least in light of energy price rises – and often feel powerless to act.
Community action on climate change and energy can make an important difference, not just to bills and carbon footprints but also to increase resilience, reduce isolation, and improve health.
Inspiration for community-led actions
We’re working with ten disadvantaged rural communities in Wales and England to develop community-led actions to tackle the issues they care about, including reducing energy use and generating clean energy.
At the heart of our approach is support for those who do not normally engage with climate action.
We’re providing training and mentoring to give people the confidence and skills to engage in meetings and action groups, fund-raise and manage projects and events.
Our support will be in place for the long term, recognising that building ideas, skills and confidence takes time.
Energised Communities is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund to £1.5m and will run until 2029.
Community project groups
We’ll be sharing more news through these pages as each community project develops over the coming months.
Bro Machno is a close-knit community in the heart of Eryri, where residents are balancing the benefits of tourism with the need to protect local culture and sustainability. Building on the success of the Rural Futures project, our place co-ordinator will support the community to tackle local energy challenges and turn ideas into action.
Ceiriog Valley has strong potential for community-owned wind, solar and hydro energy projects, but local people need support to turn ideas into action. Many homes are off the gas grid and face high energy costs, so we’re working with residents to explore solutions to local energy challenges and develop projects that keep the benefits within the community.
Coleford is a market town in the Forest of Dean where many vulnerable residents have not benefited from climate action initiatives. Through strong local partnerships, we’re connecting with community groups and support services to reach those most in need. Our place co-ordinator will work with local people to identify energy challenges, develop solutions and turn ideas into action.
Cwmllinau is a close-knit village in the Dyfi Biosphere with a strong track record of community action. Building on previous work to improve local facilities, we’re returning to support residents in tackling energy challenges. With many homes difficult and expensive to heat, our place co-ordinator will help the community develop practical ideas to reduce energy costs and explore low-carbon heating solutions.
Grosmont is a rural village in north-east Monmouthshire with limited access to services despite its rich heritage and strong community. Following positive engagement with local residents, our place co-ordinator is continuing to support the community to identify energy priorities, develop ideas and turn them into action.
Llannerchymedd is a community on Anglesey that has faced economic challenges following the cancellation of plans for Wylfa B power station. Building on the success of the Rural Futures project, we’re returning to support residents in tackling local energy challenges, with our place co-ordinator helping to develop ideas and turn them into action.
See the impact Rural Futures made in Llannerchymedd here.
Building on the success of our Rural Futures work in the Llangollen area, we’re returning to support communities facing high levels of deprivation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. With strong local partnerships already in place, our place co-ordinator will help residents identify energy challenges, reduce household costs and develop community-led solutions.
Building on the success of the Hybu project, we’re returning to Llandovery to support residents in tackling local energy challenges. Our place co-ordinator will help the community develop practical ideas that reduce energy costs, support local energy generation and demonstrate how climate action can benefit both people and the surrounding countryside.
Sharpness is a historic riverside community facing the challenges of climate change, including rising water levels. Working with residents in Sharpness and surrounding villages, our place co-ordinator will help identify local priorities, develop community-led solutions and turn ideas into action.
Trawsfynydd is a rural community with a proud heritage that has faced economic challenges since the decommissioning of its nuclear power station. Building on the success of our Rural Futures work, we’re returning to support residents in tackling local energy challenges, with our place co-ordinator helping the community develop ideas and turn them into action.
See the impact Rural Futures made here.
Meet the team
Adrian Roberts
Place Coordinator
Adrian is a Welsh speaker who hails from Blaenau Ffestiniog and now lives in Llanberis, at the foot of Yr Wyddfa. He previously worked for Gwynedd Council for 24 years where latterly he was responsible for developing the authority’s fuel poverty strategy and developing energy efficiency projects to meet national targets.
He joined Severn Wye in 2013 and most recently worked with several communities as a place coordinator on The National Lottery Community Fund’s Rural Futures project.
In his spare time Adrian is a keen football fan and, after many years of trying, is still trying to master golf!
Adrian is working with communities in Bro Machno, Conwy and Llannerchymedd, Anglesey
Peter Willis
Place Coordinator
Peter has almost 20 year’s experience in community development and regeneration, empowering communities to understand and take action on the things they care about.
He supports communities from developing their initial ideas through to project delivery, helping engage stakeholders, build consensus, and organise fundraising and governance.
Over the years his work has focused on health and wellbeing, active travel, rural and urban poverty, high street regeneration and climate action.
Peter is working with communities in Grosmont, Monmouthshire and Llandovery, Carmarthenshire.