Polbeth Community Hub (PCH) and West Calder and Harburn Community Development Trust (WC&HCT) have received a grant of almost £20,000 to employ two development officers. The funding comes from the Pates Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit fund, delivered by OnPath Energy and administered by the West Lothian Development Trust (WLDT).
Funding enables dedicated staff
The grant allows the organisations to hire two permanent part-time staff members who coordinate volunteers and deliver sustainable community change. The projects include a sustainable fashion initiative and a community garden.
Adele Prendergast, manager of Polbeth Community Hub, said: “It’s a challenge to find funding that covers operating expenses such as staff costs, the funding from OnPath towards employing a permanent part-time employee is crucial to the success of the project. Volunteers have done an awful lot but there is only so much they can do without someone dedicated to coordinating the work and keeping things moving.”
She added: “Getting funding to put staff in place has transformed the project. Having someone there to coordinate volunteers and drive the work forward means we can achieve so much more.”
First-year results
In its first year, PCH’s sustainability project diverted more than 2.7 tonnes of clothing, books, food and other reusable materials from landfill. This includes over half a tonne of clothing through the Rag Bag recycling scheme, almost half a tonne of books redistributed via World of Books, and nearly 1.5 tonnes of food redistributed through Fareshare.
The hub partnered with Community Woods and Garden in West Calder on the funding applications. The gardens, established in 2013 by two local mums, now feature woodland trails, a growing space and a community workshop.
Community garden benefits
Sarah Livingstone, the development officer and garden manager, said: “People’s first reason for coming here is usually the social side of things, whether that’s meeting other people, improving their mental wellbeing or simply having access to a green space.”
She noted: “The environmental side often comes later, once people feel more comfortable and confident getting involved. What draws people in is the community experience. We garden and eat together, hold open days and raise money. It’s about much more than gardening on your own; it’s the sense of belonging and shared purpose that keeps people coming back.”
Broader impact
Matt Pearce, chief executive at WC&HCDT, said: “People don’t come along because they want to tick a net zero box. They come because they want to learn new skills, grow their own food, access affordable goods or simply spend time with other people in their community.”
He added: “By reusing, repairing, growing and sharing resources locally, we’re helping people save money, reduce waste and build stronger community connections at the same time.”
Wind farm fund
The Pates Hill Wind Farm Community Fund invests more than £70,000 annually in local communities. The 14MW wind farm, near West Calder, has been generating electricity since 2010 and was acquired by OnPath Energy in January 2025.
Michael Newton, sustainability developer at OnPath Energy, said: “Projects like this show how community benefit funding can make a real and practical difference to local people.”
He continued: “At OnPath Energy, we believe renewable energy projects should deliver lasting value for the areas around them. Through the Pates Hill Wind Farm Community Fund, we are proud to support initiatives that help communities become greener, more resilient and more inclusive.”
The majority of Pates Hill’s funding is managed by WLDT, which administers community benefit funds from wind farms across West Lothian. The Trust supports projects within 10km of wind farm developments, with priorities including relieving poverty, advancing education, encouraging environmental improvement, supporting sustainable development and helping communities access renewable energy.
June Close, chair of WLDT, said: “It has been a privilege to support these projects. The enthusiasm and dedication of the employees and volunteers has encouraged local people of all ages and abilities to become actively involved in projects that strengthen community connections and foster a sense of shared responsibility for the environment.”
