Lancaster University's Wind Turbine Community Benefit Fund is a beacon of hope for local projects striving to make a meaningful impact. Established 10 years ago with the foundation of the University wind turbine, the fund supports initiatives that foster community growth and sustainability. Each year, the fund allocates up to £20,000 to Lancaster District-based not-for-profit organisations, charities, trusts, community groups or voluntary organisations and has created numerous success stories across the area.

We are showcasing some of the successful projects that the fund has supported and the community ownership of Freeman’s Wood is one example of this. Freeman’s Wood is a 27-acre woodland area in the Marsh area of Lancaster and in April 2023, used £6000 of the Community Benefit Fund to supplement additional community fundraising to buy the woodland and save it for the local community. The project guaranteed the future of this land as a public open space, improve wildlife habitats, provide community volunteering opportunities and use of the area by community groups.

Emily Heath, from the Friends of Freeman’s Wood, said, “The purchase and management of Freeman’s Wood has brought the wider community together in lots of ways and strengthened links between local community groups who use or care for green spaces. The public (including wheelchair users) can now access Freeman’s Wood via the new entrances and accessible path, and we have had very positive feedback from several people who had never been able to enter the woods before.”

Friends of Freeman’s Wood have since used the space to run wildlife-themed trails for local children, established regular volunteering sessions to keep the area tidy and removed invasive species such as Japanese knotweed whilst planting more native trees and shrubs to encourage biodiversity. Lancaster University remains committed to empowering more projects like this, encouraging other organisations to apply for the fund and make a lasting difference.