Central Co-op rewards 24 good causes with more than £19,000
Posted by paul reece | Published: 20/10/2023
Central Co-op has announced 24 community organisations set to receive funding through its most recent Community Dividend Fund distribution.
Recipients span a wide variety of good causes, with a total of £19,685 being donated to facilitate the creation of a new adventure playground, delivery of enhanced diversity training for schools and businesses, and continuation of youth groups in the region, among many more great projects.
The fund, worth £149,000 in total this year, sees Central Co-op invest a percentage of its trading profit into local community projects, nominated by Members, to support the communities it operates within.
Among those selected to receive the most recent phase of the fund include Homes to Inspire, a residential children’s home in Rothwell, which will be building an adventure playground, as well as purchasing outdoor gym equipment and outdoor games.
West Norfolk Befriending, in King’s Lynn, and Revive Healthy Living, in Derby, will receive funding to continue supporting vulnerable people in the community, while grassroots football teams in Blofield, Barlborough, Holmfirth, Norwich, Northamptonshire, Oadby and Mansfield will receive funding for new kits and equipment.
We’re All In This Together, a Birmingham organisation that supports adults with learning disabilities, will be using the funding to continue its services. Staffordshire Search and Rescue Team will be able to purchase new mountain bikes, and Loughborough’s Love4Life charity will receive funding to facilitate its ongoing work to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Andy Seddon, Society Secretary for Central Co-op, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the 24 good causes that have been selected to receive funding from this round of Community Dividend Fund distribution.
“Our priority as a Co-operative is always to support the communities we operate within to help them thrive, and the Community Dividend Fund is a powerful way to do just that. Supporting your local Co-op means we’re able to give back to the communities we trade in, and so I’d like to share a big thank you to those who help to make the fund happen.
“We are looking forward to seeing how the funding supports all of the wonderful and projects selected.”
The Community Dividend Fund has now re-opened for new applications, with entries accepted until 29th September 2023. Those interested can find out the full criteria and how to apply by visiting www.centralengland.coop/community
For more general information about Central Co-op, visit www.centralcoop.co.uk
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About Central Co-op
Central Co-op is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK, with a heritage stretching back over 175 years and interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.
Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its 7,700 colleagues serve customers across 440 plus trading sites in 21 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
Its purpose is to create a sustainable Society for all.
It actively campaigns for food justice and works with FareShare Midlands and a network of local food banks. It also adds £1 to every Healthy Start Voucher redeemed in store and supports six schools in partnership with Magic Breakfasts.
The Society embraces inclusivity and equality and is a signed-up member to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter. The Society is also a member of Diversity in Retail and it is fully committed to addressing the impacts of climate change by reducing carbon and food waste, increasing recycling and investment in community Sustainable Spaces funded by the carrier bag levy. It recently launched its Malawi Partnership to support farmers and producers in the country through the Co-operative International Trading Development Fund.
It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which saw over £109,769.25 shared out between 121 good causes in 2022.