We want our communities to be strong, connected, and great places to live. Sometimes, a little bit of extra help is all it takes for good ideas to grow into projects that make a big difference.
That’s where Community Benefits come in. This support is provided by our contractors and developers as part of their commitment to give something back. It helps fund and support activities that bring social, economic, environmental, and cultural benefits – all with the goal of making our neighbourhoods better for everyone.
Who can apply?
Our Community Benefits support is open to individuals and community groups who would like to do something for their community.
You’ll need to live or work within our Valleys to Coast footprint, that’s Bridgend and parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf.
What community benefits are available?
- Labour- trades staff to help.
- Materials- donations of.
- Shopping Vouchers up the value of £500.
- Volunteers- to help with a community project.
- Work Experience/Placements- to help gain experience.
- Mock Interviews- to help gain experience.
- Sponsorship- for your club or event.
For example, we recently helped Baobab Bach Community Pantry to upgrade their head office, supporting them to deliver meals to housebound and disabled people and their carers.
When can you request community benefit support?
Requests are open all year round, subject to availability.
To nail your application form, you’ll need to tell us:
- What are you planning to do?
- How will it benefit your community?
- Which of our Social Value Priorities does it support?
- Who will benefit?
- Any extra information that can bring your ideas to life.
The next panel meeting takes place on 14th October, so please read this guidance and submit your request before 13th October to give the panel time to review it!
How are requests assessed?
Our Social Value Panel is made up of colleagues from across Valleys to Coast and Llanw and meets every three months to review and assess community benefit requests.
They’ll check how well your project links to our priority areas and the difference it’s set to make. Through our ‘I’m In’ commitment, our customers will also have an opportunity to be part of the Social Value Panel.
What we can’t support
- Activities that don’t support our priority areas.
- Incomplete applications.
- Any projects needing direct financial payment (we only issue shopping vouchers).
What happens next?
If your request is successful, we’ll email you with the good news and discuss the next steps.
If your request isn’t successful, we’ll email you with feedback to help you for the future.
Sharing your success
We love seeing the impact you’re making! We ask successful requests to send us:
- Photos from your project.
- A short progress report.
- We’ll share your achievements in our annual Social Impact Report to celebrate the difference you’re making across our communities.
Terms and Conditions
- You must live or work within our footprint (Bridgend and parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf).
- One request per person or group every 12 months.
- Previous successful requests can reapply after a year.
- Activities must benefit the community and meet at least one Social Value Priority Area.
- Maximum shopping voucher: £500.
- Photos and a short project report are required after completion.