Local community hospice is powered by the sun
18 July 2024
In June 2024, a total of 172 brand new solar panels were installed in the grounds of Longfield Community Hospice, the much-loved local charity. The panels are now providing the hospice with eco-friendly and renewable power. The panels were installed by Cotswold Energy, thanks to a generous grant from Severn Trent Community Fund.
Longfield expects to benefit significantly from the switch to solar energy, saving an estimated £7,826 per year in energy bills. Any surplus energy generated is returned to the national grid in exchange for reduced payments. This means the charity can reach out to even more local families in urgent need of its expert services, including end-of-life care in the home, bereavement counselling, and support groups for patients and carers.
Debbie Linton, Longfield’s Head of Compliance and Estates, said:
“Longfield has cared for our community for over 35 years – and we’re committed to caring for our environment too. We’re proud to say that over half of the energy we use from now on will be solar powered.”
In the first week of operation, the panels created more electricity than Longfield needed – a saving of £412 if all the supply had been used. What a result! With expected rises in electricity costs, this solar investment could provide a life time saving (20 years) of over £250,000 for the hospice, and prevent 194 tons of harmful CO2 emissions.
Jade Gough, Community Fund Officer at Severn Trent, said:
“Longfield Hospice makes a huge difference for people with life-limiting diagnoses and their families all across Gloucestershire, through their specialist care and support.
“We’re so pleased we’ve been able to support them with this project to help reduce energy bills, so that their resources can be focused on hospice care in the home counselling and other patient-focused services.”
Longfield Community Hospice would like to thank Severn Trent Community Fund for backing this incredible eco-project, and the team at Cotswold Energy for installing the panels.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Longfield is a Community Hospice for the people of Gloucestershire. As well as providing Hospice at Home care, Longfield also offers a range of therapy and support services for patients, families and carers at the Wellbeing Centre in Minchinhampton. 85% of our funding comes from the generosity of the public. For media enquiries, please contact Kirsty Murray [email protected] or call 01453 886868
From 2020, Severn Trent is giving away £10 million over five years through its Community Fund to support local projects, charities and community groups in the Severn Trent region – helping to make a real and tangible difference to the wellbeing in our communities. The Community Fund is overseen by an independent panel, made up of Severn Trent customers, who review applications and make the final decisions on where the money will go. For more information: www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/severn-trent-community-fund
Longfield is a Community Hospice for the people of Gloucestershire and all services are free of charge to patients and their families. As well as providing hospice care in the home, Longfield also offers a range of therapy and support services for patients, families and carers at the Wellbeing Centre in Minchinhampton. 85% of our funding comes from the generosity of the public. For media enquiries, please contact:
Kirsty Murray [email protected] or call 01453 886868