Pitch2Progress creates stable and sustainable community hub

Pitch2Progress

Pitch2Progress received a total grant of £32,295 from the npower Business Solutions (nBS) Foundation to install high-tech solar photovoltaic (PV) and a battery storage solution at its Green Lane Playing Fields site. This investment eliminates relying on a costly generator for energy, making sure the hub remains a permanent and sustainable safe haven for East Birmingham’s young people

The next phase for a vibrant community hub

Working at the heart of Birmingham’s communities, Pitch2Progress supports young people through sports and mentoring. Originally established as a football club, the founders recognised a massive community need during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide more than just sports. With a programme of activity that covers everything from educational workshops to mums-only sessions, the overall goal of Pitch2Progress is to create positive destinations for young people.

To that end, Pitch2Progress took a derelict piece of land that had been closed for eight years, and transformed it into a vibrant community hub. In addition to playing fields, the site includes an eco-friendly youth centre that’s a masterclass in innovation, built from seven repurposed shipping containers. 

However, operating this hub presented a number of challenges, a key one being that the facility lacked a direct connection to the national energy grid. For years, the team had to rely on noisy, polluting generators, and even collected rainwater for toilets.

Syed Ali, Director and Operations Manager at Pitch2Progress, explains: “Operating without electricity or water meant we were reliant on generators, which is just not sustainable for a site that’s operating seven days a week.”

Innovation through energy independence

The nBS Foundation provided the funding required to move Pitch2Progress towards total energy independence. This investment supports the installation of a sophisticated solar panel array on a newly constructed steel roof, paired with a Tesla smart battery storage system.

The Tesla technology is particularly impactful as it learns the centre’s usage patterns, optimising when to store energy and when to use it. This ensures that even during peak evening sessions or dark winter months, the centre remains bright, warm, and fully operational, without the staggering costs of a grid connection, which was quoted at more than £24,000.

"The solar panels represent a life-changing development for the organisation,” says Syed. “They allow Pitch2Progress to expand its reach and impact, without having to worry about rising energy costs. What’s more, the relationship with the nBS Foundation has been amazing, even though our project is a little more complex than others. They’ve been there every step of the way.”

A platform for growth

The impact of this sustainable infrastructure is already rippling through the community. By reducing its energy costs, Pitch2Progress now has the capacity to apply for further funding that can be directed towards other high-impact needs,  such as staffing, volunteer costs, and expanding its daily programme of activity for over 2,000 young people.

The reliable power supply has already paved the way for a new commercial kitchen project, where young people learn fundamental life skills and prepare for careers in the hospitality industry.

Looking ahead, Pitch2Progress plans to use this sustainable platform to add a floodlit 4G football pitch and a community gym, ensuring that local residents get equal health and wellness opportunities.

“The funding from the nBS Foundation provides a sustainable platform for us to grow,” says Syed. “It’s had a massive, long-term impact on everything we do.”

One of the young people that Pitch2Progress supports, added: "With the new setup, there’s so much more we can do here. It’s not just about sport anymore, it’s about opportunities, like learning to cook or gaining job skills. It’s made me think bigger about my future.”