Store's funding offer to community groups

Community groups in Sunderland are being urged to bid for cash from a charity fund.

The Co-op is looking for local groups to apply for help from the next round of grants from its Local Community Fund.

A survey by the firm reveals that 53% of local community causes have seen available funding decrease in past 12 months because of the pandemic–and three quarters expect demand for their services to increase.

A staggering 94% of groups which work tosupport mental well being among young people say they expect an increase in calls for help over the next six months – and 83% of those tackling food poverty.

The Co-op Local Community Fund is inviting grassroots projects that support access to food, help improve mental wellbeing or provide opportunities for young people, to apply for help.

Rebecca Birkbeck,community and shared value at the Co-op, said: “Our Co-op vision is ‘co-operating for a fairer world’ and it’s heartening to see this come to life in these grass roots projects. Our Local Community Fund and support from our members has been a lifeline throughout the pandemic, and we want even more local groups to take advantage of this opportunity.

“This year, when a group applies for the Local Community Fund, we will also connect them to Co-operate (coop.co.uk/co-operate), our online community centre, where they can come together and benefit from help and support from like-minded people and causes.”

Applications close on May 30. Visit coop.co.uk/causes