One group who are celebrating are Orchestras Live, who will receive £15,000 toward their project: Intergenerational Music-Making Activities Engaging Community Groups in Withernsea and Hornsea.
On receiving the good news, Sarah Derbyshire, CEO, Orchestras Live, said: “Orchestras Live is delighted to have support towards our intergenerational participatory orchestral programme, Classically Yours, in Withernsea and Hornsea. This grant will provide life-enhancing experiences for local community groups as they create music with and play alongside professional orchestra Manchester Camerata. Evidence from our 60 years’ experience of producing projects gives us confidence that this opportunity will improve wellbeing, nurture skills, bring joy and strengthen Withernsea and Hornsea communities!”
Also receiving funding are the Marine Conservation Society, who have successfully been awarded £23,267 toward their project: The Power of the East Coast Community for Ocean Conservation.
Hannah Bester, Senior Manager, Volunteering & Citizen Science Team, Marine Conservation Society said, “The Marine Conservation Society are extremely grateful to have been chosen by the East Coast Community Fund. Funding will enable us to engage with over 700 volunteers across eastern England, from South Holland to the East Riding of Yorkshire. Many of our volunteers take part in citizen science activities, like Beachwatch where they collect, record, and remove beach litter. Beachwatch positively impacts our marine environment by collecting valuable data evidence to influence policy change on problematic litter, like single use plastics and sewage related items, while also removing litter pollution and encouraging positive behaviours through volunteering in the outdoors.”
Ørsted operates six wind farms on the East Coast. The East Coast Community Fund is a legacy project from two of the wind farms: Hornsea 1 and Race Bank. These two windfarms have a combined capacity of nearly 1.8 gigawatts, meaning they can power electricity for 1.5 million UK homes.
Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, said: “It’s been a fabulous way to start 2025, hearing about all these incredible projects. Well done to the worthy organisations, we’re looking forward to seeing the impact of their efforts and continuing our commitment to supporting local communities.”
Orchestras Live. Credit - Charlotte Greensmith
The full list of organisations awarded grants in the latest round of the Community Benefit Fund are as follows:
- Angle for the Community, Running Costs and Volunteer Training, £2,880
- Samaritans of Boston, Being There for Listening and Outreach, £9,900
- Wrangle Parish Hall, Internal LED Lighting Conversion, £2,800
- Sussex Bowling Club, Second Rescue of Sussex Bowling Club in Cleethorpes, £5,000
- The Boston Preservation Trust, Fydell House:Repairs, Improved Accessibility and Dedicated Volunteer Space, £33,000
- Ren's Rescue, Ren's Withernsea Wildlife Hub, £3,224
- Rock Foundation UK Limited, Heneage Road, Grimsby - Creating a Sustainable Future, £16,000
- Shalom Youth Centre, Youth Worker East Marsh, Grimsby, £26,908
- Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire, Cleethorpes - Backyard Nature Clubs, £5,000
- Bells and Whistles Exercise Group, Paths & Potholes, £1,500
- Boston Squash & Racketball Club, Energy Efficiency (Insulation) Improvements, £5,000
- Favour Foundation Limited - Your Place - Oasis Garden Hub and Garden Volunteer/Buddy Scheme £20,878
- Hornsea and District Indoor Bowls Club Ltd, Battery Storage System, £18,720
- Orchestras Live, Intergenerational Music-Making Activities Engaging Community Groups in Withernsea and Hornsea, £15,000
- Synergy Grimsby CIC, Woods, Waves, Walks and Workshops, £28,000
- Marine Conservation Society, The Power of the East Coast Community for Ocean Conservation, £23,267
- Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire, Rural Outreach, £9,810
The East Coast Community Fund is part of Ørsted’s community engagement programme. Each year, until 2037, approximately £390,000 will be available from the main fund to support a wide range of community and environmental projects.
An additional £75,000 per year is ring-fenced for a skills fund, designed to support a range of STEM educational and training initiatives.
The East Coast Community Fund is more than just financial support—it's a commitment to building a better future for people and nature. If you have a project that could make a difference, don’t wait—the next application deadline is 12th February 2025.
The Fund is being administered by national charity GrantScape. For further details of how you can apply to the next round, please visit GrantScape’s website www.grantscape.org.uk or call 01908 247630.
