Everyone living on Sheppey is expected to benefit from a “green” investment of almost £1 million.

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) announced on Mondaysep3 that the Island will get £946,275 to help people make greener choices, use their resources more effectively and develop new skills.

It comes as part of the Sustainable Sheppey project, led by Swale council, and aims to inspire people to adapt the way they live to reap financial, health and environmental benefits.

The money has come from BIG’s Communities Living Sustainably programme and the Island is one of only 12 projects in the country to receive investment.

Part of Sustainable Sheppey includes a bio-fuel initiative where waste cooking oil will be taken from HMP Standford Hill and turned into bio-diesel which will initially be used on the prison estate with plans to roll it out to the wider community.

Inmates coming to the end of sentences will be offered training and qualifications to help them secure employment and move towards a more positive future.

Another aspect is a “Green Doctors” programme – a sustainable homes initiative where the doctors will visit people’s homes and advise on how they can be more energy efficient and it will also support the training of new Junior Green Doctors via an apprenticeship scheme.

It is estimated that nearly 2,000 homes will save up to a tonne of CO2 per year and make reductions to their utility bills through the programme.

Other ideas to be rolled out include further developing renewable energy sources, identifying people most at risk from climate change, employability and skills training in environmental awareness and teaching how people can protect against flood risks.

There will also be a community food initiative where volunteers will teach people how to grow produce and maintain allotments and how to use the food.

Council leader, Cllr Andrew Bowles, said: “I’m delighted the hard work we have undertaken along with our partners in developing this exciting bid has paid off.

“The projects proposed, and now funded, will make a real difference to the lives of the people of Sheppey enabling them to live more sustainably, save money and be better prepared for the impacts of climate change.”