Newton Stewart Initiative was one of 11 local community groups in the Dumfries and Galloway area to receive funding from Stranoch Windfarm Sponsorship Fund for a free community cafe in Newton Stewart. The funding is being used to cover costs of the venue, food and drink for anyone who may be struggling with rising fuel costs and food poverty.
Tammy Heywood, Debbie Monteith, Lisa Sykes & Ian Heywood will be running the community cafe over the next 12 weeks. Tammy commented, “Our goal is to have a place for the community to come in, greet old friends, meet new friends and if someone is looking for help we can help provide the help or answers or groups to help them. In providing support to the community we can help the feeling of helplessness or hopelessness and be a place that is free from judgement, provide support/help, and a warm something in their bellies.”
Over the last two years EDF Renewables UK has worked closely with stakeholders and residents in around its Stranoch wind farm to prepare the roads and infrastructure ahead of construction, which began in May 2024.
This fund is being run until the point of operation when the wind farm’s Community Benefit Fund will begin. This will be worth over £510,000 per annum for local communities – totalling at least £15.3million over the course of the project’s lifetime.
Jon O’Sullivan, Director of Onshore Wind, Hydrogen and Commercial and Industrial Solar for EDF Renewables UK commented: “As a business we very much pride ourselves on working closely with local communities at every stage of the process and enabling local people to maximise the benefit from our renewable energy developments.
“We are delighted to award a share of the £20,000 to so many organisations in Dumfries and Galloway. We look forward to seeing how the money will make a difference for so many people in the area over the coming 12 months and beyond.”
To find out more about the benefits EDF Renewables UK brings to communities around its sites visit: Working with communities – EDF Renewables (edf-re.uk)