CHARITIES and organisations working hard to tackle loneliness and isolation in Somerset have been awarded vital grants by local electricity distributor Western Power Distribution (WPD) from its Community Matters Fund.

Among the beneficiaries is Wellington Community Counselling which has been awarded £10,000.

With the funding, the organisation will provide counselling and therapeutic services to people with underlying mental health conditions who have been adversely affected by social isolation and loneliness.

Rhonda Lovell from Wellington Community Counselling said: “I am really grateful for this grant from Western Power Distribution as it will help us to support vulnerable people in our community who are struggling with isolation and loneliness.

“We will be using the money to provide one-to-one counselling and to set up and run support groups. “Wellness for everyone, wherever they are, is our vision, and we can offer our services to people, irrespective of their ability to pay the full cost for counselling through generous and kind grants such as this one.”

Another beneficiary is Moorvale Creative CIC, which delivers inclusive community arts, music, wellbeing and equality projects and programmes.

It has been awarded £1,940. WPD’s grant will allow the Milverton organisation to support its local community with a reminiscence and music project to combat loneliness in the community.

Fodo Higginson from Moorvale Creative CIC said: “We are delighted to have been offered a grant by Western Power Distribution’s Community Matters Fund to deliver a project: ‘The Soundtracks of our Lives - Music & Reminiscence’.

“It will make all the difference in a rural area like ours where isolation and loneliness exist in what can appear to be very strong communities.

“Moorvale Creative have been running music and singing since 2017 – we know the power and impact music has on all our lives.

“We will invite residents in the rural area around Wiveliscombe to share musical memories and songs that have meant something to them at key moments in life, sing the songs and work on writing those experiences down.

“The coming together, singing and sharing will mean they are left with local contacts and will feel better able to join in with local activities and singing groups.”

WPD’s Resources & External Affairs director, Alison Sleightholm, said: “The pandemic, with its lockdowns and social distancing measures, has inevitably led to feelings of loneliness and isolation for some groups and people in Somerset.

“We’re pleased to be able to help tackle this growing issue by supporting charities who provide crucial interventions and help build better mental health. It’s great to see the first charities and organisations receive their grants. They are providing crucial care and that will make a real impact on local lives.”

WPD is the UK’s largest electricity distributor, responsible for delivering power to homes, businesses and vital services through its lines and cables in the South West, South Wales and the Midlands.

Its Community Matters Fund is paid for by the company’s shareholders and distributes £1 million a year.

For more information, please visit www.westernpower.co.uk/community-matters-fund.

Follow the fund on social media via #WPDCommunityFund