Sustainable Warwickshire

Stockingford Community Centre will be greener and tastier thanks to funding from Warwickshire County Council’s Green Shoots Community Climate Change Fund.

Going Greener at Stockingford Community Centre has been awarded £24,741 in funding to deliver a more sustainable future for the centre through:

• The installation of solar panels,
• Converting the centre’s current lighting to LEDs; and
• Creating an edible garden at the site by a team of local volunteers.

Due to the fast-changing climate and increasing energy costs, along with increased competition for funding and customers, Stockingford Community Centre wanted to improve its energy efficiency, reduce costs and become more sustainable in its operations.

The installation of solar panels and LEDS at the centre will deliver a saving of 70% on energy. Overall savings for the improvements have been estimated at 2 tonnes of CO2 and 4,027 KWh per annum, avoiding increases to their hall hire rates and brining the possibility of selling some energy back to the grid.

In addition to the solar and LED lighting, the Community Centre also plan to engage a group of local volunteers to create an edible garden on their site. This new green space will:

• Encourage greater biodiversity at the site;
• Increase the number pollinating inspects; and
• Produce more homegrown produce for the Community that will be used in the centre’s café and also distributed locally in free fruit and vegetable bags.

More information about Stockingford Community Centre.