Funding that’s helping local community weather storm of Covid-19

Aid for 33 Loughborough groups

LOUGHBOROUGH community groups have been given a cash boost as part of a leading supermarket’s grassroots fund to help the community get through the Covid pandemic.

The Co-op’s Local Community Fund has given cash to 33 Loughborough groups.

While approaching local causes, the Co-op conducted a survey to understand the impact of Covid-19 before allocating funds.

In it, 81% of those who responded said that the funding was helping them to respond to the pandemic, especially as the majority of groups had experienced a decrease in funding from other sources.

In the survey, 57% said that they expected demand for their services to increase in the future.

The payment, which amounted to £57,782.89, took the total across the local area to £97,295.45 this year.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Shared Value at the Co-op, said: “The Co-op Local Community Fund supports grassroots projects across the UK that our members really care about.

“These causes need support more than ever. It’s such a privilege to announce that £15 million raised has now been shared, helping communities and lives across the country at a time when they need it most.”

The group’s Local Community Fund is generated by members trading across the Coop’s businesses, in addition to the benefits they receive for themselves.

Members are encouraged to pick a local cause to support each year from a selection that are building stronger, more resilient communities.

Rebecca said: “We know that it has been a challenging time for local causes, as support decreases and demand increases.

“We’re grateful to our members and colleagues, who have made it possible to make this contribution. Two million members have now selected a cause to support, since the fund began in 2016, which is a real landmark for us.”

Relaunched in October, Co-op’s Membership programme has seen support for communities double.

Two pence in every pound spent will be shared equally between the Local Community Fund for local causes and the new Community Partnerships Fund, intended to support communities through likeminded national charities and organisations.

Rebecca said: “We encourage everyone to engage with the amazing groups and organisations on their doorstep to help them weather the storm.

“We’re hoping both these routes to funding will make an even bigger impact in 2021.

We want to help Loughborough, Leicestershire communities to share, co-operate and make a positive difference to their wellbeing.”

For 2021, the Local Community Fund will be supporting causes which support fairer access to food, mental wellbeing services, education, and employment for young people in their communities.

We know that it has been a challenging time for local causes, as support decreases and demand increases.

Rebecca Birkbeck, pictured