Our local community
Southampton Airport is committed to minimising the impact that airport operations has on its neighbours, and to run the airport responsibly.
The airport has established the Southampton Airport Community Fund Panel which invests charitable funds in community projects and initiatives in the local area.
The funds come from The BAA Communities Trust, BAA's own charity, which was established over ten years ago.
The Southampton Airport Community Fund panel
All applications for support go through a short-listing process.The short-listed projects then go forward to the panel for further discussion. The panel includes members from some of the companies at Southampton Airport, The BAA Communities Trust, Eastleigh Borough Council, and Southampton City Council. The mix of these members allows for independent discussions, the development of cross-organisation collaboration on community projects, and ensures the projects chosen for support are those which will have the maximum benefit across the local community.
The criteria considerations
When short-listing and reviewing applications, the panel looks for projects which fit the following areas:
- Projects benefitting those within very close proximity to the airport, in the areas most affected by the airport’s operation.
- Projects linked to the themes of environment, education and training opportunities for skills development (particularly for the 14 – 21 age group).
- Projects which enable the airport to give full support and actively get involved, rather than just giving financially.
- Projects in which the funds will support a whole project or particular element of a project, rather than contributing to a larger pot of funds.
- The value for money (costs v’s benefits)
- Projects in which the donated funds will potentially ‘unlock’ further matched funds from other organisations.
- Projects with a lasting legacy for the community, with on-going benefits in the future.
Recent projects include (not an exhaustive list):
- PUSH Ahead Challenge, South Hampshire
- Community Play - The Point, Eastleigh
- Bitterne Park School, Southampton
- Fairbridge Solent - Live Well Project
- Staff volunteering
- Do you have a potential project for Southampton Airport?
PUSH Ahead Challenge, South Hampshire
Southampton Airport supported the 2010 search for south Hampshire's young entrepreneurs in the 'PUSH Ahead Challenge', as part of the airport’s centenary celebrations. The challenge was open to every school and college in South Hampshire, and saw teams of students designing and creating innovative products and services for use in an airport.
The Point, Eastleigh
A new community play "When The Saintz Go Marching in" was created as part of the airport’s centenary celebrations, which followed the story of a break-in at a vintage aircraft hangar on the eve of the centenary celebrations. The gang of wayward youths encountered a mysterious old man whose extraordinary story changed their lives forever. The play was specially researched and written about Eastleigh. Performed at The Point theatre, the play starred over 60 local people from around the Eastleigh area who do not normally have the opportunity to participate in performing arts.
Bitterne Park School partnership, Southampton
Southampton Airport has a strategic partnership with Bitterne Park School, a local secondary school in Southampton with specialist status in performing arts. The partnership was launched in 2004, with the aim of sharing expertise and resources, linking business and education.
Each year there are around 20 initiatives, including; case studies, competitions, awards schemes, staff work-shadowing, joint fundraising, school governorships, and a full work experience programme which includes, letters of application, and competitive interviews. The airport has also supported a series of Enterprise Days for all 1,500 students at the school, culminating in a 'Dragon Den' style finale later in the year. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust use the strategic partnership between the school and airport to create training resources for other UK schools.
Fairbridge Solent – Live Well Project
Southampton Airport supported the Fairbridge Solent Live Well Project, which saw young people from disadvantaged areas developing an allotment and growing produce for use in their cooking sessions, as well as participating in dedicated physical activity sessions.
To find out more about Fairbridge Solent, please visit fairbridge.org.uk.
Staff volunteering
Staff volunteering is very much supported by Southampton Airport. This can be as part of projects supported by the airport, or projects which take the interest of individual staff member. Each year the airport recognises and rewards its volunteers at the Southampton Airport "Oscars", with further charitable donations available as chosen by the award winners themselves.
Do you have a potential project for Southampton Airport?
If you have a project which meets the criteria and considerations listed above, and would like to apply to Southampton Airport for support, please complete the community funding application form and email it to sou_baacommunitiestrust@baa.com. The deadlines for applications are 21 December 2011, 21 April 2012 and 21 August 2012.
