Vaughan Gething MS for Cardiff South and Penarth and Minister for Economy visited the Boomerang project in Splott. The organisation has been awarded £99,000 in funding by Centrica’s Energy For Tomorrow (EFT) initiative to create a modular community village.
Boomerang Cardiff is a charity helping people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and social isolation. They also encourage community engagement and provide educational opportunities with the intention to improve health and well-being.
Centrica’s EFT grant funding will be used to install solar panels, providing electricity and heat to support the community village project.
Centrica colleagues will also use their volunteering days to experience the day-to-day running of the charity by supporting tasks such as sorting and organising donations. Additionally, colleagues will provide their professional skills and technical knowledge to benefit the project.
Earlier this year, Centrica invited communities and entrepreneurs in Wales to apply for a grant of up to £100,000 from its Energy for Tomorrow social impact fund for initiatives that can deliver affordable, accessible and sustainable energy solutions to help tackle climate change. The grants were awarded based on the impact the projects would have on the community, their feasibility and innovation, the quality of the concept and the opportunity for Centrica colleagues to lend their support.
The Minister was joined by Programme Manager for Energy for Tomorrow Sarah Wright and Centrica representatives in touring Boomerang’s site, where they learnt about its plans to build a modular, community-focused village consisting of ten 40ft containers, providing a range of opportunities to the local community alongside immediate crisis and poverty support. The containers will be used for workshops, a cafe, shop spaces and more. They also discussed the innovation that is already taking place in Wales and how Centrica can work to support Welsh communities on their journey towards net zero.
Sarah Wright, Programme Manager for Energy for Tomorrow said:
“We are proud to host the Minister to see the brilliant work Boomerang Cardiff is doing. Energy For Tomorrow awards grants that will make a real difference to people in the community and it’s clear how far-reaching Boomerang’s impact will be, and that it will make sure no one is left behind.”
Vaughan Gething MS (Cardiff South and Penarth) and Minister for Economy said:
“I was delighted to hear that Boomerang had been awarded this grant from Centrica, for a project like this that will move Wales towards a net zero future. The plans are extremely exciting to see and hear about, and will only expand and enhance the valuable and vital work that Boomerang does.”
