Charity gets green light for building improvements

In a bid to improve its energy efficiency, Heene Community Association has now been able to fit LED lighting in one of the spaces used for group activities as well as offices used by the centre manager, staff and trustees.

This has been made possible by a £2,000 grant from the E.ON Energy Action Fund.

The donation from E.ON, one of the companies behind the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm development 13km off the Sussex coast, covered half of the cost of the improved lighting, which is more energy efficient and should result in a reduction in the amount of electricity used at the centre.

The remaining funds came from two fundraising open days organised by the charity.

Rampion’s Onshore Stakeholder Manager, Sue Vincent, visited Heene Community Centre to see the results of the building’s energy efficiency upgrade. Sue said: “Through the funds it’s given to community groups and charities, E.ON’s Energy Action Fund has supported projects that either reduce energy use or enable energy to be generated from a renewable source.

“There are many deserving applications for financial help and while the fund can’t support them all, it’s gratifying when successful projects come to life to see how the Energy Action Fund can benefit a whole community.

“Through my work on the Rampion windfarm, I was aware of the Heene Community Association, but it’s been heartening today to learn more about the services they provide, including the community café and range of low cost activities for residents.”

Heene Community Association’s development manager Noel Atkins was on hand to show Sue around and said: “The centre’s really well used by the local community, with the Heene members attending tea dances and language classes, and meeting up here to play bowls and bridge.

“The centre’s also hired by a range of different groups, including charities, a podiatrist, and dance, singing and drama groups. All of these visitors to the centre, as well as our volunteers and trustees, will see the benefit from the better lighting.”

Since 2013, the E.ON Energy Action Fund has given more than £80,000 to 50 community groups and charities in England, Scotland and Wales.

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