A NEW SURVEY released on Thursday (June 4) by Humphreys Oil, part of Certas Energy, has found that people in Wales are losing their sense of community, with nearly one in four (24 per cent) now saying they feel disconnected from the place they live.
It’s a picture that has worsened in the space of just twelve months, with the figure rising from just under one in five last year.
Almost a third (29 per cent) of people surveyed in Wales say they never take part in community activities at all, one of the highest rates anywhere in the UK, and fewer than half (45 per cent) feel their community is thriving.
For many, the rising cost of living is making it harder to engage, with a third (33 per cent) saying financial pressures have got in the way of taking part in community life. And while 71 per cent of people in London feel that being involved in their community supports their wellbeing, in Wales that figure drops to just 43 per cent, suggesting many are missing out on the benefits that local connection can bring.
To combat this weakening sense of community, the Community Bloom Fund from Humphreys Oil is offering two community groups £15,000 each to spend on a project that matters to their local area. The funds can be used for anything that will bring people in the community closer together, from renovating a community centre to investing in a local sports club.
Niki Holt, Certas Energy Solutions Marketing Director, said: “Humphreys Oil has served communities across Wales for decades, and we know how much strong local connections matter to people here.
“This research helps us understand what’s really happening in communities across the UK, and it’s disheartening to learn that people in Wales are feeling even less connected than they did a year ago.
“We developed the Community Bloom Fund to help support the people who care most about where they live, regardless of how polished their pitch is.
“We’re looking to hear from groups across Wales who have an idea that will bring people together and help to make their local community a more connected and happier place for local people.”
To be in with a chance to secure the funding, community groups are invited to apply between June 1 and July 1, 2026. Applicants should share a summary of the work they do and explain how they would use the funds to support the local project.
Apply by visiting Certas Energy’s Community Bloom Fund page.
