Biogas Meden Ltd has been operating a community funding scheme for 4 years, resulting in a good relationship between the Plant and the Welbeck Colliery Miners Welfare Trust. The Welfare Trust is a charity which administers the Sports Facilities and Village Hall, formally part of Welbeck Colliery, on behalf of CISWO (Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation). Through careful use of community funding, the Welfare Trust has been able to establish and support 21 football teams (including juniors and ladies), 3 rugby teams (2 senior and 1 Junior) and the Village Hall.

There is engagement across the clubs, with training available for various age groups and teams every day of the week. Clubs have continued to grow, despite Covid-19. And with difficulties felt by the Trust and Clubs as a result of the pandemic, the grant has been essential to improving the experience for all participants.

Improvements include automatic LED lighting in the club house and changing rooms, which is proving ever more important as energy bills increase. There are also new sanitary facilities available for players such as improved showers with new tiling and washing machines, meaning club kit can be cleaned on site. As well as the clubhouse changes, the club purchased sports and ground maintenance equipment, which have proved cost effective and beneficial.

The clubs are an established part of the Meden Vale community and would not be where they are today without the support of Welbeck Colliery Miners Welfare Trust. At Biogas Meden and Future Biogas, we are proud to have contributed to their ongoing work.