North London communities boosted to support places, spaces and vulnerable people

9 Feb 2023

Fifteen community organisations in Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest are set to benefit from funding and volunteering hours in the first round of a new North London Heat and Power Project initiative.

Over £180,000 has been set aside to support local projects in ACCIONA’s RE-Power Communities Scheme through small grants, volunteer time and donation of resources, with future rounds open to all north London boroughs.

The 15 successful organisations in this round included local groups which support disadvantaged young people at risk, charities working with people with disabilities and those working to improve greenspaces. Organisations supporting career and training development were also successful as were initiatives that provide food packages to support local families who are struggling financially due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, chair for North London Waste Authority (NLWA) said, “The Authority welcomes this much needed injection of funds and voluntary support for our local community organisations to continue their vital activities, across a range of very critical social and economic agendas.”

“Having contractors that support our philosophy for significant levels of 'social value' investment in our communities and neighbourhoods has always been important to us. We look forward to further rounds of financial and volunteer support from ACCIONA over the life of the construction works at the EcoPark, to help build stronger and more connected and resilient communities across north London.”

ACCIONA is the lead contractor to build the replacement Energy Recovery Facility at Edmonton EcoPark and started construction on the North London Heat and Power Project (NLHPP) in September 2022.

An ACCIONA spokesperson confirmed, “ACCIONA is committed to delivering local benefits from its involvement on the Energy Recovery Facility and has set up RE-Power Communities to ensure project resources support community-led responses to local challenges.”

The support for community projects is a vital part of their social value commitment, which will benefit local people and communities in response to NLWA’s social value strategy for NLHPP.

Today, the successful groups were announced, selected on their ability to achieve at least one of the following outcomes:

  • Places and spaces that matter to communities are improved
  • People are helped to reach their potential
  • Vulnerable people within the community are supported
  • Community networks that respect cultural diversity are strengthened
  • A legacy of stronger and more connected communities is achieved

This is the first round of applications for the Community Fund (small grants up to £2,500) and TimeBank (Voluntary hours). Applications are now closed with further opportunities expected to be opened for new applicants in the summer and more rounds in subsequent years of ACCIONA’s contract with NLWA. 

Applications can also be made for an On-site ResourceBank, which enables groups to receive materials or donated items for community projects, like topsoil and wood. More details are available on the project’s community page.

This new scheme strengthens the existing social value offering for the community. North London Heat and Power Project has already enabled over 30 apprenticeships at London Living Wage, 143 skills training placements and a programme engaging with schools to boost interest in construction related careers.

The full list of successful organisations for the first round of RE-Power Communities are:

Enfield

  • AFK – Working with Disability, preparing for work and travel training.
  • Edmonton Community Partnership, support education in Edmonton and refurbishment for Pymmes Park Visitor Centre.
  • Enfield Island Youth and Community Trust (ENACT), new community allotment for families and youth group.
  • Express Tuition Ltd, employability training for new migrants and victims of forced migration.
  • REACT: Residents of Edmonton Angel Community Together, community garden development and SOW WHAT WE REAP workshops.
  • 21K Digital Media, support unemployed young people with event planning skills.

Haringey

  • Disability Action Haringey, refurbishment of unit used by Disability Action Haringey.
  • Ozer Umagen, partnering with local special needs organisation to prepare food packages for struggling families.
  • Youth on the Move, offer disadvantaged young people aged 15-16 a midweek getaway for skill development and career guidance.
  • Haringey Play Association (HarPA), new woodwork station and open-air kitchen at Somerford Grove Adventure Playground.
  • Step by Step London, Sensory Garden for local children.

Waltham Forest

  • Whittingham Primary Academy Parent Teacher Association, school outdoor classroom gardening project.
  • Friends of St Barnabas Church, building a community living space and sustainable food pantry.
  • Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre, training for Forest School sessions in Langthorne Park.
  • Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue, renovation of Synagogue Sukkah and communal gardens.
Share