BWCE Fund focus: Genesis Trust
In early 2026 Genesis Trust used a BWCE Grant to provide essential items to help people affected by fuel poverty across B&NES.
The Genesis Trust exists to offer immediate practical help to people who are homeless and vulnerable, and provide long-term help and opportunities for them through our interlinked projects to rebuild their lives.
With support from the BWCE Fund, earlier this year a range of items were purchased to help people around Bath who are affected by homelessness, hardship or unstable housing. These included slow cookers to help people eat hot food in an economical way, thermal hats, gloves and socks, thermos flasks, power banks, torches and waterproof items for those sleeping rough.
The range of items were distributed to visitors to Genesis Life Projects and the Bath, Keynsham and Somer Valley Foodbank. This is how it helped:
The waterproof items helped those who have to sleep rough, ensuring they are helped to keep as physically well as possible.
The thermal items were given to help them keep warm – either to people who were sleeping rough or, housed but struggling to heat their homes.
The power banks help people to charge devices where they don't have access to power or can't afford their electricity which enables them to have use of a phone in case of emergency, keep in touch with support workers, friends, and family, attend appointments, store documents, search and apply for employment and use maps and navigation tools.
The thermos flasks allow people to have continued access to warm fluids. When they then visited places like Genesis Life Projects to refill them, this opened up opportunities to seek advice and support and engage with professional services and access additional resources such as clothing and food.
The slow cookers are used for individuals and families who are housed but struggling with energy costs. The cookers use significantly less energy but help people to continue eating warm food, which in turn helps them to stay well.
“We are delighted to have received a grant from Bath & West Community Energy to support the provision of winter warm kits through Genesis Life Projects and the Bath, Keynsham and Somer Valley Foodbank. Winter is such a difficult time for people affected by poverty, and these additional items make such a positive impact. The flexibility of the funding allows us to provide visitors with what they need most, taking into account whether they are homeless, housed or living on a boat. It also allows us to avoid any wastage. Popular items include slow cookers, blankets, flasks and hats. Thank you BWCE for your support. ”
“The Winter Warm Kit have again made a profound and practical difference to our guests. It has strengthened safety, empowered individuals to better manage their circumstances, and encouraged deeper engagement with essential support systems. This investment continues to bring long lasting benefits to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”