Co-op makes splash with pool fund cash
CENTRAL England Co-op has handed out a slice of a funding pot of more than £27,000 to Ashbourne Leisure Centre, to help it pay for a specialist hoist to allow disabled people to swim.
The society’s latest round-up of handouts from its Community Dividend Fund, a scheme aimed at supporting groups who help support access to food, health and wellbeing, inclusion and the environment, have been announced, and 18 good causes are set to benefit.
Among them is Freedom Leisure, the company that runs Ashbourne Leisure Centre on behalf of Derbyshire Dales District Council, which has been given £1,000.
Active communities manager Melanie Flude says the centre’s current hoist had been due a replacement and the money will help pay for preparations for a new one.
She said: “The funding we have been awarded will help pay towards the costs of a new pool hoist for our swimming pool at Ashbourne Leisure Centre.
“Our previous hoist had to be de-commissioned due to its age, which meant those with limited mobility and disability haven’t been able to use our pool.
“Being awarded our grant means we can now start the process of getting suppliers into the centre to assess the location of where the hoist will be located and complete any initial ground works required before the hoist is replaced.”
The Community Dividend Fund invites groups to apply for between £100 to £5,000 every two months to support a variety of projects.
For the past 12 months the fund has been temporarily repurposed to support good causes impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. During that time, 116 good causes have shared more than £175,000.
The society’s secretary Jim Watts said: “Community Dividend
Fund grants showcase how by being a member and shopping at your local Central England Co-op store allows us as a society to continue to invest and fund vital projects in the area – especially during uncertain times like these.
“Our relaunched fund aligns with our new Society Purpose to create a sustainable society for all and we are delighted to share these funds with these amazing groups and cannot wait to see how they use it to benefit their local community.”
To find out more about the fund, or to apply for a grant, visit www.centralengland. coop/community