Heart of England Community Energy’s (HECE) community grant fund supports local projects which improve the well-being of those who need it most, support and enable people to remove themselves from fuel poverty and drive carbon reduction as part of a just transition to net zero. In its latest round of grant funding, HECE has awarded grants to support two fantastic community projects in South Warwickshire. The Warwickshire Reminiscence Action Project (WRAP) HECE has awarded £20,000 to WRAP to support the work they do helping people living with dementia and their carers over the coming year. This funding will help cover staff costs for the Charity Manager and Office Manager, meaning WRAP can grow its services. That includes running the Bishopton Dementia Café, the Looking After a Loved One carer support programme and their Memory Box loan scheme, all designed to bring support to families across the area. Crafty Lunch Club CIC Crafty Lunch Club, a successful CIC which offers social activities for disabled adults and their carers, is receiving £5,000 to help them expand . They already run a popular weekly group which HECE supported last year and this new funding will enable the group to expand their offering. This will include a new monthly community café that will offer volunteering opportunities, promote disability awareness and provide affordable food through a token scheme to help those who need it. They’re also starting monthly social events like discos, karaoke nights and bingo which will create regular opportunities for inclusive engagement and for people to connect, have fun and build friendships.

As part of Great Big Green Week in Stratford-upon-Avon we opened up Heart of England Community Energy’s solar farm for a guided visit for members of the public. Across the country, Great Big Green Week brings together local events, inspiring stories and real action to tackle climate change and protect our natural world. Here in Stratford, we wanted to give people the chance to see solar energy in action. Heart of England Community Energy owns and operates the largest community solar farm in the UK, right here in Warwickshire. The profits from this project go straight back into local initiatives that help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty in our community. The event gave local residents a rare chance to walk through the solar panels themselves and learn about how the site operates. Visitors heard directly from the team about how renewable electricity is generated and fed into the grid, helping to decarbonise our local energy supply. We were joined on the day by several local leaders and partners: Dave Passingham, Director of Heart of England Community Energy and Stratford District Councillor (Shipston Ward) Mark Stevens, Warwickshire County Council (Lapworth & West Kenilworth) James Kennedy, Mayor of Leamington and Town Councillor (Dalehouse Ward) Stephen Norrie, Chair of Net Zero Stratford CIC From left to right: James Kennedy , Vince Waghorn , Mark Stevens and Dave Passingham . Thank you to everyone who came along for the visit and to the Great Big Green Week organisers for making it all happen.

Quarterly update on Heart of England Community Energy’s solar performance and community impact 1. Performance Update We are pleased to report that generation for the first quarter of 2025 was 14% above P50 projections , driven by exceptionally strong solar performance in March. According to the Met Office, March was the sunniest in England since records began in 1910, significantly boosting output. As a result, March generation exceeded P50 expectations by 24%, supported by a 21% increase in solar irradiance over projected levels. Total Q1 generation across our three sites (Leys, Willows and Poplars) reached 2,588,795 MWh and there were no significant generation-impacting issues reported. Looking ahead, the recent spell of sunshine is encouraging and we remain confident that generation will stay strong. HECE continues to be in a stable and strong financial position. 2. Community Benefit Act on Energy and supporting vulnerable households Since December, HECE has provided £18,000 to Act on Energy as they help vulnerable families across the Stratford and Warwick districts. This funding is making a real difference by helping households with things like fuel payment credits, prepayment meter vouchers and clearing small energy debts. They’re also providing simple energy-saving measures to keep homes warmer and help reduce bills over time . The support offers both immediate relief and lasting benefits. HECE is proud to provide financial support to Act on Energy and help facilitate the vital work they do to bring practical help to those who need it most in our communities. Funding for the Warwickshire Reminiscence Action Project We’re delighted to announce that the board has awarded a £20,000 grant to support the Warwickshire Reminiscence Action Project (WRAP) over the coming year. This funding will help cover staff costs for the Charity Manager and Office Manager, enabling WRAP to expand its work with people living with dementia and their carers in South Warwickshire. These include the Bishopton Dementia Café, the Looking After a Loved One carer support programme and their Memory Box loan scheme . The grant will be issued in two instalments: 50% at the outset and the remaining 50% following a successful six-month review. Crafty Lunch Club service expansion funding approved We have approved a £5,000 grant to support the expansion of Crafty Lunch Club , a successful CIC focused on providing inclusive, social opportunities for disabled adults and their carers. The club currently runs a well-attended weekly group and HECE previously funded part of this programme. This new funding will enable the group to expand their offering to include: A monthly community café: Designed to offer volunteering opportunities for disabled adults while promoting wider community integration and disability awareness. The café will also provide affordable food, supported by a token scheme to ensure accessibility for those in need. Monthly social events: Activities such as discos, karaoke nights and bingo will create regular opportunities for socialising and inclusive engagement. See last year’s impact on our website   3. Carbon Reduction Solar Soft Loan Scheme kicks off with Warwick District Council We’re working with Warwick District Council to install solar panels on several council-owned buildings through our Solar Soft Loan model , with installations planned across 2025 . This will deliver meaningful carbon savings and lower energy costs. Solar Soft Loans Explainer: Solar soft loans enable schools, community organisations and local councils to invest in rooftop solar panels or energy-saving measures without any upfront costs, roof leases, or long-term power purchase commitments. HECE pays for the system and the council will own the panels from day one, benefiting immediately from lower bills and income from any surplus electricity exported to the grid. Repayments are based on 50% of actual annual savings, after maintenance costs. If savings are lower than expected (due to reduced energy use, falling power prices, or less sunlight) the repayments reduce accordingly, meaning the loan will be repaid over a longer period. Any outstanding balance after 20 years will be written off. HECE recoups the loan over time to re-invest into a local low carbon revolving loan fund to support more community projects. We can only do this as our source of funds is surplus income from our big solar farm at Drayton Manor! Find out more about Solar Soft Loans 4. News Invitation to HECE’s Annual General Meeting Date: Tuesday 30th June 2025 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom We’ll be sending out the Zoom link and materials closer to the date. This is a great opportunity to hear about the impact your investment has made over the past year, get updates on current projects and learn more about our plans for the future! HECE attends ‘Empowering A More Sustainable Stratford’ John Stott , Chair of HECE, shared his thoughts on a recent event where HECE hosted a stall: “We were able to tell people about HECE, what we do, the charities we are supporting and the carbon saving loan scheme we offer.” Much of the day was taken up by presentations including: Swaffham Prior District Heat Network: A Village Heat Network, an amazing story about how one determined lady managed to bring about installation of a centralised heat pump system which pipes heat to homes in a village that depended  on oil and solid fuel for heating. Claverdon : A village near Stratford upon Avon is aiming to install a 10MW solar farm with the aim of providing substantial savings on electricity bills to all local residents.” Heart of England Community Energy’s Shareholder and Bondholder Register is managed by Ethex Registry . For queries about certificates, payments, holdings or withdrawals, please contact Ethex: registry@ethex.org.uk | 01865 403304 | www.ethex.org.uk You can also log into the Ethex Registry Portal to view your HECE investment details, access tax and interest statements and update personal information. For general enquiries, please get in touch with Communities for Renewables , who manage HECE: info@hecommunityenergy.co.uk | www.cfrcic.co.uk Thank you to all our bondholders for your continued support.

1. Community Impact As the year draws to a close, we’re proud to share how we’ve put the surplus income from our solar farm to work, supporting some truly fantastic local projects. Over the past months, we’ve allocated nearly £400,000 to tackle fuel poverty, promote sustainability and drive progress toward net-zero.  Read the newsletter below, written by CfR’s Communications and Impact Coordinator, Ella Messetter, to find out how these funds will make a real difference in our community! £320,000 grant fuels Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank’s expansion HECE is thrilled to award a £320,000 grant to Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank, empowering them to expand their reach and better serve our community. Over the next three years this funding will support the Foodbank’s new satellite locations, bringing food parcel collection points closer to underserved areas. Davina Logan, SUA Foodbank Chair of Trustees: “We’re delighted with the funding from HECE, it has come at just the right time for us, as we are going through a period of change and development and the grant gives us security and confidence to move forward… the expansion of our satellite locations has already proven to be impactful, and this grant will allow us to reach even more people in need. We are deeply grateful for this support.” Tony Guy, HECE Director:  “In these challenging times, Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank is doing fantastic work in our local community to support those who are in need. HECE is proud to financially support its transition to a more accessible service. This funding is crucial in meeting the growing demand for support." John Stott, HECE Chairman:  “It’s incredibly rewarding to use the money earned from selling electricity from our solar farm to help those in need. Projects like this are why we, as volunteer directors, dedicate our time." The grant will help the Foodbank establish a more flexible, decentralised model, with new food distribution points launched at Bishopton Community Centre, Meon Vale Village Hall, Escape Arts Heritage Centre and the Ken Kennett Centre. It will also support a central hub in Stratford, a dedicated delivery van and part-time staff to manage operations. With this expansion, the Foodbank aims to distribute over 5,000 food parcels annually, while also connecting individuals to local agencies like Citizens Advice to tackle the root causes of hardship. Carbon Literacy Project: £2,000 boost for climate action! We’ve become a Bronze Partner of The Carbon Literacy Project ! This December, HECE donated £1,000 to the Carbon Literacy Project, which was matched to create an exciting £2,000 boost! In doing so, have made a tangible contribution to increasing Carbon Literacy, and ensuing decarbonisation, at the scale necessary to truly tackle climate change! Next year, the project aims to double its reach, targeting 200,000 Carbon Literate Learners and HECE is thrilled help roll that snowball even faster! Act on Energy’s winter crisis support With winter upon us, HECE has awarded £26,000 to Act on Energy , supporting vulnerable households across Stratford and Warwick districts. The funding will help families with fuel payment credits, prepayment vouchers and low-level energy debt clearance, alongside small energy-saving measures to improve warmth and reduce energy bills. The funding builds on £23,000 awarded earlier this year, which helped 52 households with over 250 measures. £11,625 grant for Trinity Court Surgery HECE has awarded a grant of £11,625 to Trinity Court Surgery, which will fund two new initiatives for patients facing fuel poverty and social deprivation. Social Prescribing Programme: Integrating nature-based and water-based activities into patient care to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing, helping to reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health and promote resilience. Hardship Fund: Providing urgent support for vulnerable patients. Ongoing support for Citizens Advice South Warwickshire (CASW) This year, HECE provided over £3,200 each quarter to CASW part-funding their grants admin team to provide essentials like furniture, clothing and heating to those in need. From July to September, HECE’s funding supported 75% of grant admin activities , enabling 61 grants totalling £11,996 for 28 clients. These included freezers, furniture, washing machines, school uniforms and food vouchers. HECE also contributed £15,000 in hardship funding to help individuals facing financial challenges with vital items such as fridges, freezers, cookers and food vouchers. This ongoing partnership is an effective way for us to contribute to the well-being of our community, ensuring that CASW can continue to provide support to those who need it most. 2. Q3 performance update In the final quarter, HECE generated 4,761 MWh , slightly falling short of our target (3% below P50 projections). This shortfall was mainly due to cloudier-than-expected weather in September, which saw sunshine levels 17% below the monthly average. However, August was a standout month, exceeding expectations by 8.45% with 1,733 MWh generated. Overall, our sites performed reliably, with no major technical issues impacting generation. From a financial standpoint, HECE remains in a strong and stable position heading into 2025. 3. News and resources HECE wins big at the Community Energy Awards! HECE was Highly Commended at the National Community Energy Awards in November for our work in tackling fuel poverty! The recognition highlights our £70,000 funding for Act on Energy’s Complex Caseworker pilot program, which has helped over 700 households in Warwick and Stratford by providing tailored energy advice, access to grants and practical solutions to tackle energy costs and fuel poverty. Solar farm shines in new tech documentary In September, HECE’s solar farm was the backdrop for a new documentary by the University of Sheffield and Sort of… Films. The film explores new research on molecular photonics and its potential impact on solar power. With drone footage of the farm, the documentary aims to make complex science accessible to teenagers and the wider public. Keep an eye out for its release!

Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank has been awarded a £320,000 community benefit grant from  Heart of England Community Energy , a local community energy enterprise based in Stratford. This funding will support the Foodbank’s new satellite locations to meet the growing demand for food and services, particularly in underserved areas. Over the next three years, the grant will help the Foodbank establish a more flexible, decentralised mode l by expanding its geographical reach and adding additional food parcel collection points. Davina Logan, Chair of Trustees at Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank said: “We’re delighted with the funding from HECE, it has come at just the right time for us, as we are going through a period of change and development and the grant gives us security and confidence to move forward.” She added, “The expansion of our satellite locations has already proven to be impactful, and this grant will allow us to reach even more people in need. We are deeply grateful for this support.” The grant will enable the continuation and expansion of the new food distribution points launched in August at Bishopton Community Centre, Meon Vale Village Hall, Escape Arts Heritage Centre, and the Ken Kennett Centre , in addition to the central location in Stratford-upon-Avon. This expansion will reduce the need for clients to travel long distances to access support. Key elements of the three-year grant include: Funding for the hire of local venues to host satellite distribution points and support services. Funding for a central distribution point in Stratford-upon-Avon. Funding for a dedicated delivery van to enhance efficiency and meet rising demand. Recruitment of part-time staff to manage the expanded operations across multiple locations. With this expansion, the Foodbank is set to distribute over 5,000 food parcels annually, supporting thousands of local families. Beyond food distribution, the project will also connect individuals with local agencies such as Citizens Advice South Warwickshire to address the root causes of crisis and hardship. Neal Hounsell, Vice-Chair of Trustees at Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank explained that " We found HECE to be a very positive organisation to work with on our funding proposal. They share many of our values and the opportunity to develop joined up support services to people with food and fuel poverty issues is one that we are keen to put in place.” Tony Guy, Director of Heart of England Community Energy, added: “In these challenging times, Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank is doing fantastic work in our local community to support those who are in need. HECE is proud to financially support its transition to a more accessible service . This funding is crucial in meeting the growing demand for support." The grant is funded by HECE’s 15MW solar array near Stratford-upon-Avon.   Surplus income from the solar farm, after operational costs, is reinvested into community and carbon reduction projects across South Warwickshire. “It’s incredibly rewarding to use the money earned from selling electricity from our solar farm to help those in need. Projects like this are why we, as volunteer directors, dedicate our time" explained John Stott, Chair of Heart of England Community Energy. He added, “This shows how a local energy model focused on tackling climate change can also address societal injustices and provide real, tangible support to our community.” For more information about Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank , please contact: Email: projects@stratforduponavon.foodbank.org.uk | Phone: 07736 959 011 | Website: https://stratforduponavon.foodbank.org.uk For more information about Heart of England Community Energy and funding opportunities, please contact: Email:  info@hecommunityenergy.co.uk  | Website: www.hecommunityenergy.org  | Facebook: Heart of England Community Energy

Heart of England Community Energy (HECE) is pleased to announce the award of a grant of over £10,000 to Trinity Court Surgery . This funding aims to alleviate the challenges faced by patients living with fuel poverty and social deprivation in the community. The grant will support two key initiatives: a social prescribing programme focused on nature-based and water-based activities to promote both physical and mental wellbeing, and a hardship fund designed to provide critical support for vulnerable patients. Supporting Health and Wellbeing through Green and Blue Social Prescribing The funding will enable Trinity Court Surgery to integrate nature-based and water-based activities into patient care. Research shows time spent in green spaces reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health. These activities also lower the risk of diabetes, obesity, and cognitive decline, making them an essential part of improving wellbeing in socially disadvantaged communities. By focusing on early intervention and social prescribing, the programme aims to improve happiness, mental health and resilience while reducing social isolation, particularly among those likely to experience health inequalities. Hardship Fund The funding will also support a hardship fund, which will be available to patients who have no access to other forms of funding or local authority grants. The fund will provide support for individuals facing urgent situations that impact their health and well-being, such as providing blood pressure monitors to reduce the need for in-practice visits, mobility aids to improve access to the community, and financial support for house-moving costs The funding will be provided based on the outcome it will improve lifestyle, support social deprivation and provide a social benefit. This funding was available through Heart of England Community Energy’s Community Grant Fund, available to organisations in South Warwickshire. For more information, visit  www.hecommunityenergy.org/community-grant-funding

Local charity Act on Energy, widely recognised as the county’s trusted organisation for energy advice, has been awarded over £26,000 in crisis funding by Heart of England Community Energy (HECE). With winter approaching, this grant will provide immediate relief and vital support to vulnerable households across the Stratford and Warwick districts. The grant will be used to offer fuel payment credits, fuel vouchers for prepayment accounts and the clearance of low-level energy debts, easing immediate financial pressures on families. Additionally, it will fund small energy-saving measures, improving the warmth, comfort and health of local homes while reducing energy consumption and bills. This new funding follows £23,000 worth of crisis funding provided by HECE for 2023-24. Act on Energy used this funding to support families with fuel credits, vouchers, boiler servicing, emergency repairs and small energy-saving measures like controllable electric blankets, slow cookers, draught-proofing kits and radiator foils. These efforts led to over 250 meaningful improvements, benefiting 52 local households. Reflecting on last year’s funding impact, Rachel Jones, CEO at Act on Energy stated: “The energy crisis has had a real impact on many people and so we were especially grateful to HECE for the funding at such a crucial time. We know that being able to help residents with advice, as well as practical support, has made a genuine difference to people’s lives – many of whom felt helpless in knowing where to turn.” John Stott, HECE Chairman, added: "We are proud to extend this year’s crisis funding to help local people save energy and reduce their bills. By offering this practical financial support, combined with Act on Energy’s expert advice and guidance, we aim to empower vulnerable households with the tools they need to become more self-reliant when it comes to their energy." About Act on Energy: Act on Energy has been offering expert energy advice for more than 25 years from its Warwickshire base. A freephone energy advice line is open to anyone across Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands. The advice line handles calls from those struggling with energy payments and debts as well offering advice on making homes more energy efficient, including searching for grant and funding options. For more information, please contact: Freephone advice line: 0800 988 2881 Website: www.actonenergy.org.uk Email: advice@actonenergy.org.uk Or please check out their Impact Report https://www.actonenergy.org.uk/our-impact About Heart of England Community Energy (HECE) HECE is a not-for-profit community energy organisation that operates one of the UK’s largest community solar farms near Stratford-upon-Avon. They reinvest surplus income into community and carbon reduction projects across South Warwickshire. This funding is part of HECE’s ongoing commitment to tackling fuel poverty, building on over £70,000 in support for Act on Energy’s Complex Case Worker pilot project, which provided free, personalised energy advice to individuals facing complex energy-related issues. Please check out the news section to find out more about this project. HECE was recently recognised with a Fuel Poverty Action Award from Community Energy England, for their support for Act on Energy. For more information about HECE and funding opportunities, please contact: Email:  info@hecommunityenergy.co.uk Facebook: Heart of England Community Energy

Friday night was a proud moment as we were awarded Highly Commended  for the Fuel Poverty Action Award at the National Community Energy Awards ! This award recognises our funding support for Act on Energy, our incredible local energy advice charity that helped over 700 households in Stratford and Warwick Districts through their "Complex Case Worker" initiative. Over the last two years, HECE contributed £70,000 to pilot this program, delivering tailored energy advice, access to grants and practical solutions to tackle energy costs and fuel poverty. Read our April news story for a detailed look at how HECE supported Act on Energy's Complex Caseworker programme, the incredible outcomes it achieved and how district councils have since expanded the initiative due to its success. A huge congratulations to Energise Barnsley for also winning in this category, and a huge thank you to the judges, Community Energy England, and all the fantastic community energy groups across the country for their vital contributions over the past year.

Heart of England Community Energy  (HECE), a community energy company based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been shortlisted for the Fuel Poverty Action Award at the national Community Energy Awards. HECE's nomination stems from its significant support of Act on Energy , a local charity focused on providing energy advice to vulnerable households. Over two years, HECE has contributed more than £70,000  to the pilot of Act on Energy’s ‘Complex Case Worker’ initiative , which delivers free, personalised energy advice to individuals facing complex energy-related issues in South Warwickshire. This initiative aimed to ease the financial strain of energy costs for local residents. John Stott, local resident and Chair of HECE, said: “We’re truly pleased to be shortlisted. It endorses, in a national sense, all the work we’re doing to support those facing hardship and social deprivation in Stratford and South Warwickshire. It's rewarding to be able to use the money earned by selling solar electricity to help those in need within our community. We welcome funding applications from South Warwickshire communities aiming to reduce carbon emissions and relieve poverty. Our website explains the kinds of assistance we can offer.” The Act on Energy pilot achieved remarkable outcomes over the two year funding period: 723 households assisted , exceeding the target of 400. Over 250 individuals benefited from personalised home visits A cumulative £226,541 in savings and income gains was achieved for participants through energy efficiency measures and grants. 467 individuals received ongoing support via phone and online platforms to help manage energy-related challenges. 410 households benefited from small grant measures, including draught-proofing, energy-efficient lighting, fuel debt support and boiler servicing. The Complex Case Worker initiative has not only helped individuals meet their immediate energy needs but also empowered them with knowledge and tools for reducing long-term costs. By facilitating grants and improving housing conditions, Act on Energy have helped beneficiaries establish a more sustainable and comfortable lifestyle. Stratford District Council Leader Susan Juned, one of HECE's directors, explained: “I am district councillor in a Ward where many residents have needed assistance with heating bills and costs. Often the cases are complex and require assistance from a number of other services. The complex case worker has been really helpful in helping people to seek other sources of advice and grants to meet the cost of living or improve their housing problems as well as helping them to reduce their immediate heating bills.” The pilot programme prompted Stratford and Warwick District Councils  to commit funding for two Complex Case Worker positions through to at least spring 2025 . HECE is arguably one of the most successful in the UK’s clutch of community energy groups. Operating a 15MW solar array  near Stratford-upon-Avon, the organisation manages over 60,000 solar panels that generate an impressive 13.5 million kWh of clean energy annually. Beyond their significant climate impact, these projects generate substantial income from electricity sales to the grid—often totalling millions over their lifetime. HECE invests its surplus income into community and carbon reduction projects across South Warwickshire, focusing on alleviating fuel poverty, tackling social deprivation and promoting environmental sustainability. The Fuel Poverty Action award, will be presented by Community Energy England on November 22. It celebrates community energy organisations that address the complex challenges of fuel poverty and energy efficiency across England. For more details on Heart of England Community Energy projects and impact, see: www.hecommunityenergy.org

Heart of England Community Energy is proud to provide money to Citizens Advice South Warwickshire  (CASW), a local charity making a significant impact. CASW provides free, impartial and confidential advice on various issues, and Heart of England Community Energy supports their grants program by funding their admin team, who identify and facilitate grant funding. The grants cover essential items such as necessities, furniture, clothing, heating, and household appliances, all of which significantly improve the lives of individuals facing financial hardships. This partnership is an effective way for us to contribute to the well-being of our community, ensuring that CASW can continue to provide vital support.   Between July and September, Heart of England Community Energy's funding supported 75% of the grant administration activities , with the grants admin team averaging 15 hours of work per week. As a result of this direct support, 61 grants were awarded to 28 clients, totalling £11,996.15. The assistance included 9 freezers, 14 pieces of furniture (including carpets and curtains), and 6 washing machines, as well as essential items like school uniforms and food vouchers. Since May 2020, Heart of England Community Energy has supported CASW's administrative team’s vital work. During this period, many households have felt the pinch as food and energy prices surged. We hope our efforts over the last four years to facilitate access to essential items have helped to alleviate some of the burdens faced by individuals and families.   For information on help that may be available please click the link to visit CASW webs ite

Quarterly update on Heart of England Community Energy’s performance and community impact. Performance update This quarter's solar energy generation was 2.21% below the expected target (P50 projections). April had the lowest output, producing 1,600 MWh, which was 9.62% below the projected average due to unusually bad weather. However, June was the best month, generating 2,121 MWh, which was 4.76% above target. Overall, the sites performed well, with no major technical issues affecting energy generation during the quarter. 2. Community Impact Crafty Lunch Club C.I.C Heart of England Community Energy’s £5,000 grant to The Crafty Lunch Club CIC has been a game-changer, enabling the group to expand its services and support adults with learning and physical disabilities. The group used the grant to double their hiring space, invest in craft materials, meals, and specialist equipment, making their activities more accessible and enriching. In addition to their beloved craft sessions, the club introduced exciting new activities like karate and dance, adding extra fun to their weekly meetups. This grant has allowed the team to host 30 sessions and benefit 1,350 participants, along with 71 carers . Without this support, the club would have had to limit numbers, but instead, they have created a warm, inclusive, joyful environment with one member calling it "the best day of my week" and carers celebrating the sense of community and fun it brings. This grant has helped build friendships, boost confidence, and bring joy to everyone involved. HECE remains committed to funding CASW , ensuring support reaches those who need it most. We do this through two key avenues: funding their grants administration team and providing a hardship fund. Citizens Advice South Warwickshire (CASW) Between April and June this year, HECE's funding covered 75% of the hours worked by CASW’s grants admin team . This support directly facilitated the distribution of 61 grants, totalling over £11,100, for essential items such as white goods, clothing, and food vouchers. In addition, we approved another £7,500 for CASW's hardship fund in May. This fund helps individuals facing financial challenges, by providing vital items like fridge/freezers, washing machines, cookers, and food vouchers. Through this partnership, HECE are making a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it most. SolarAid In September 2023, SolarAid received a £7,000 grant from HECE, continuing our support for the Mayi Walas (Shining Mothers) programme in Malawi. This initiative trains women to become solar entrepreneurs, helping them bring affordable and sustainable energy to the poorest and most remote communities. As a founding partner of the programme, HECE has played a crucial role in enabling these women to scale their solar businesses. With the support of HECE’s funding , there are now 143 active Mayi Walas groups in Malawi. They have sold 9,179 solar lights, improving access to clean energy for over 45,000 people. It’s truly remarkable that solar energy generated from HECE's community solar farm is funding solar energy access in Malawi. HECE has increased its funding for the coming year to £20,000, supporting the highest-performing Mayi Walas groups to ‘graduate’ and offer solar home systems on a pay-as-you-go basis to their communities. 3. Looking after our wildlife New Homes and Fresh Clean for Our Birds and Bats! An ecologist recently visited our solar farm and was pleased with the overall condition of our bird and bat boxes but suggested a few improvements. We were quick to act, and during a follow-up visit on August 21st, here’s what we did: Installed two new starling boxes. Replaced an old bat box with a brand-new one. Gave several boxes a good clean, and we were happy to find signs of past nesting. Cleared away vegetation around bat boxes to help encourage bats to use them. These changes will make the site even more welcoming for wildlife. Thanks for your support in helping us create a better home for birds and bats!

Supporting the Mayi Walas with SolarAid Heart of England Community Energy (HECE) is dedicated to tackling fuel poverty both locally and globally. One of their annual beneficiaries is SolarAid , an international development charity working alongside communities in the most rural and hard to reach areas of sub-Saharan Africa to tackle poverty and the climate crisis through access to clean, safe solar lights. Read on to find out more about SolarAid, and the impact of Heart of England’s support during 2023-24. Who are SolarAid? Founded in 2006, SolarAid is an international charity tackling poverty and climate change. For millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa, the working day ends when the sun sets. But SolarAid offers a simple solution: solar lights.  ‘With just the flick of a switch, these lights enable families to earn, children to learn, and the planet to breathe a bit easier’ - SolarAid. Through their social enterprise, SunnyMoney , SolarAid distributes solar lights in Malawi and Zambia, fostering a sustainable solar market that creates local jobs and reinvests in community development. SolarAid collaborates with rural communities, entrepreneurs, and development partners to ensure every home, school, and clinic has access to clean, safe solar power. Their solar lights replace kerosene lamps, offering cleaner, safer, and more affordable lighting. This transition helps reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and enhance safety. SolarAid’s work was recently recognised with the top prize in the International Aid & Development category at the Charity Awards.   Supporting the Mayi Walas In 2023 – 24, HECE continued its support for SolarAid’s Mayi Walas programme in Malawi. The ‘Shining Mothers,’ or Mayi Walas in Chichewa, recruit, train and support women entrepreneurs to run solar light businesses across rural Malawi. As the primary users of household energy and trusted members of vast social networks, there is growing evidence that women are best placed to bring renewable energy to the most isolated communities. As a founding partner of the programme, HECE has played a crucial role in enabling these women to scale their solar businesses. SolarAid provides them with solar lights through interest-free loans funded in partnership with Lendwithcare. After a year, successful Mayi Walas can access larger loans and ongoing support through FEBCO, SolarAid’s micro-finance institution. With the support of HECE’s funding, there are now 143 active Mayi Wala groups in Malawi. They have sold 9,179 solar lights , improving access to clean energy for over 45,000 people. HECE’s funding has been crucial in scaling up these efforts. Over the past year SolarAid have used HECE's funding to implement two key improvements: Motorbike Provision: In the remote communities where Mayi Walas work, roads are often in poor condition, public transportation is lacking, and hiring private transport is expensive. This year, each Business Development Officer (BDO) from Sunny Money, who trains the Mayi Walas, has been provided with a motorbike. This development will enhance the efficiency of traveling to support the Mayi Wala groups. Community Development Officers:  Mayi Wala trainings are now led by Community Development Officers (CDOs), government employees who already operate within the communities and hold relationships with the Mayi Wala groups. Over the past year, SolarAid has trained these CDOs, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to effectively train Mayi Walas. For more information on SolarAid, the Mayi Walas programme, and how HECE’s contributions have been utilised over the past year, please read the full report below.