Problem 

Southmead is one of the most deprived areas of Bristol, and falls within the 10% most deprived place in England. Many people experience inequality, having lower life expectancy, educational opportunities and employment prospects that people living in more affluent areas.

Solution 

The Greenway Centre, run by Southmead Development Trust, serves the local community, providing training courses for job seekers, fitness classes for referrals from local GPs and Southmead Development Trust, facilities for local groups and a business centre for local start-ups.

Revenue Model

The Southmead Development Trust exists to serve the community of Southmead by primarily running the Southmead Youth Centre and the Greenway Centre. The Trust took on a loan to install 207 solar panels on the roof of the Greenway Centre and regular income from the feed-in tariff is used to repay the loan.

Impact

The solar panels reduced overheads at the centre, so they could host a  playscheme without charge and offer reduced gym membership and low rents to community businesses, bringing money into the local economy.

Social investment has enabled us to reduce our overheads so we can do more good things

       Alex Kittow, General Manager, Greenway Centre

The Greenway Centre approached us for a loan because they wanted to put solar panels on the roof and couldn’t afford it. Somebody else was going to do it for them, but then all of the financial value would have stayed with that organisation. Our loan enabled the Greenway Centre to pay for the panels themselves and keep all of the financial benefit.

       Robert Rabinowitz, CEO, Pure Leapfrog