What is the Wessex Water Foundation Avonmouth Area Community Fund?
With the expansion of the Bristol Water Recycling Centre at Avonmouth, a new grant programme has been set up by the Wessex Water Foundation for the local communities.
This grant programme aims to support projects and activities that improve the lives of the residents living in the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward, including the area of Shirehampton. See a map in the guidelines for the area covered by this programme.
Priorities for funding will be projects and activities that aim to achieve any of the following:
- Improve availability of activities and support for young people 11+
- Increase opportunities for improving health and well-being, including access to the natural environment
- Improve access to job-related skills and training
What you can apply for
A grant can be towards any reasonable costs for your organisation or project including:
- Running costs such as salaries
- Core costs for key activities
- Project and activity costs
- Cost of kit or equipment
Please note: The funds available for this programme are limited, so we can’t approve every application. In the previous round, 39% of applications received we’re successful. You can see examples of previous grants awarded through our September grants awarded list.
Who can apply
You can apply for a grant if you are a:
- Constituted voluntary or community organisation
- Registered charity
- Not-for-profit company, including Community Interest Companies where they are not limited by shares and most directors receive no payment from the company.
- School – if the activity is open to the wider community and takes place outside normal school hours.
You must be based and working in the area covered by Wessex Water and Quartet Community Foundation (both cover Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire).
Priority will be given to the following groups and organisations:
- Those that already have a presence and are working within the boundaries of the Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward (see map in Appendix 1). You can still apply if you are not currently working within Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward. However, you must demonstrate that you have established links with other groups and organisations based within this ward to deliver the work outlined in your application.
- Whose annual income has been on average under £500,000 in the last three years. This programme is targeted at groups and organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference, so we will consider your other sources of funding and level of reserves, and we will prioritise where a grant can make the biggest impact.
- That have not received a Wessex Water Community Fund or a Wessex Water Environment Fund grant within the past 12 months.
Please see our eligibility criteria page for further information.
How to apply
Please read through the guidelines before applying. You can apply online using the link below. You can return to your online application form as many times as you like. Please save the form as you go along. We have further information to help you apply. See our Help & Guidance page here.
Decision turnaround
We aim to inform applicants of our decisions by late-September 2025.
