Rampion Wind Farm Fund Helps Over A Million People In Sussex

Over a million people in Sussex have benefited from a Rampion funded project since the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm’s Community Benefit Fund at Sussex Community Foundation was set up in 2017. 

Over £1.7 million has been given out in grants to 153 projects working for the benefit of local people all over Sussex.

“It has been wonderful to see the many creative projects that have come forward as a result of this fund, supporting local people in so many different ways, but with community and environment as their linchpin," said Kevin Richmond, Chief Executive of the Sussex Community Foundation (SCF).

The voluntary fund was created by Rampion, which injected £3.1million into it, to be administered by Sussex Community Foundation over ten years.

The funds are to be used for projects that 'benefit the wider community with particular interest in the environment, ecology, climate change, energy and improved community facilities'.

Over the past five years, the SCF says it has raised awareness of sustainability led projects and supported community buildings and sporting facilities, environmental engagement and education projects, sustainable transport, renewable energy and energy conservation, food and sustainability and ecology and conservation (both marine and onshore).  

In 2021, projects were selected in the following areas Sussex:

BRIGHTON & HOVE: Fabrica, Smarter Uniforms, Patcham Memorial Hall, Catholic Parish of East Brighton, Saltdean Swim & Surf Club, Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project and the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership.

The Saltdean Swim and Surf Club was born in 2021 to bring together the local community to have fun and learn respect for the water and the surrounding environment, no matter age, gender, ability or background. Their aim is to make waterways accessible and safe for all and through 2021 they successfully delivered their first Junior Rookie Lifeguard course which is being expanded on through 2022 for all ages.

Rampion funding enabled the club to provide training for community volunteers to deliver the Rookie Lifeguard courses to young people in Saltdean and cover rental of the pool at Saltdean Lido, necessary equipment, modifications for disability learners and 140 high visibility /water safety kits. The club is also involved in regular education sessions for the whole community. Over the 12-month period, 600 young people will be trained as Rookie Lifeguards across the Saltdean community.

“We are extremely grateful for the award from the Rampion Community Benefit Fund as it has enabled us to train local residents to deliver the courses, purchase equipment for the participants to use as well as funding 20% of places to our community,” said Matt Coyne, Chair, Saltdean Swim and Surf Club. [Pictures in Dropbox]

EAST SUSSEX: Haven’s Community Hub in Peacehaven, Sussex Community Development Association, and Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club. 

The Newhaven Youth Centre, supported by Sussex Community Development Association, was able to install an air source heat pump and sustainable cladding with a contribution from the Rampion Community Benefit Fund to their brand new building, designed with input from young people who attended the youth centre when operating in local venues. Click the following link for the short film about this project: https://bit.ly/SCDA-Newhaven

WEST SUSSEX: The Henfield Hall, Creative Heart in Littlehampton, Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust and We are FoodPioneers around Worthing and other projects such as Cycall Ltd CIC and Freedom Powerchairs in Worthing.

We Are FoodPioneers CIC is a Worthing based social enterprise delivering food related events and projects for and with predominantly disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The CIC received a grant from the Rampion Fund for their Bees&Seas project, an innovative community wildlife and beekeeping project at Brooklands Park, training volunteers. The project will transform a disused urban council yard at the park, turning it into an educational pollinator hub and outdoor teaching space. [Pictures in Dropbox]

Jennifer Donn, Stakeholder Manager, Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, said:

“We are really proud to support local community projects through the Rampion Community Benefit Fund. It is wonderful to see the fund making a real difference to local communities by supporting projects with strong environmental and sustainability elements. Local people directly benefit from the projects that are supported by the fund and it is truly inspiring to see so many fantastic projects running in our local communities.”

In addition to the Rampion Community Fund, Rampion Offshore Wind Farm created the Rampion Visitor Centre for the Sussex community on Brighton Seafront. It is free to enter and there are dozens of displays and interactive exhibits which bring to life the story of human settlement, technological advancement and population growth, alongside climate change, renewable energy and the construction of Rampion. See www.rampionoffshore.com for more information.

The Rampion Community Fund will be opened again for new applications in December 2022 at www.sussexgiving.org.uk/rampion