A local village hall has been granted the funds to purchase and install a generator to ensure their community is safe and looked after should they ever lose power.  

Stanley Crook Village Hall were looking for opportunities to upgrade their electrical infrastructure as they are in a slightly remote area in County Durham.  

They were looking for ways to improve their resilience as the winter months roll in, the Village Hall being a lifeline in the community. 

That's when they were alerted to the grant funding available for resilience projects in the North East, Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire via Northern Powergrid Foundation.   

Northern Powergrid Foundation is the charitable arm of Northern Powergrid, and passionate about being able to support innovative organisations and community projects addressing energy-related challenges including fuel poverty, energy resilience and the net zero transition. 

They received £16,500 to fund generator for the residents of Stanley Crook, Durham. The generator will provide the hall with energy resilience allowing it to serve the local residents in times of power interruptions.  

Ian Bowman, Chairman of Stanley Crook Hall, said "Thanks to the funds provided by Northern Powergrid Foundation, we are now a warm hub for residents in Stanley, Crook, Billy Row and Roddymoor.  

"We can also support the emergency services during power cuts as the hall has a variety of radio equipment that can be used for emergency communications covering most of County Durham, Northumberland and North Yorkshire. 

"Due to the geography of the local area, communication via typical methods isn’t possible during power cuts when masts go down. 

"None of this would have been possible without the help of Northern Powergrid Foundation and we are forever grateful for their grant funding." 

Today, September 18, 2024, trustees from the Northern Powergrid Foundation are celebrating their ability to support those who really need it, and making sure that others are prepared this winter.  

Louise Lowes, Northern Powergrid Foundation Trustee, said "Providing warm hub for the community during these difficult times is becoming more and more necessary.  

"Northern Powergrid Foundation has been working across Northumberland and County Durham to ensure that if people do experience a loss in power, they are able to access local facilities that have been bolstered to support the community.  

"Stanley Crook Village Hall provides an array of different activities and groups that bring the community together, and during times of emergency that should be no different.  

"It's great to know that through the good work of these charities, village halls, parish councils, and many more social enterprise businesses, communities are able to benefit from this grant funding to improve their emergency resilience." 

Applications for the next round of grant funding are now open until 14 October 2024.   

Visit northernpowergridfoundation.com for more information, which includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), eligibility criteria, grant making policy and instructions to start your application.