Are you looking for funding?

Do you know a local cause that’s looking for funding? Our Co-op Local Community Fund is looking to support new projects that are helping to create sustainable futures for People and our Planet.

The fund, which has already awarded £108m to over 38,500 unique projects across the UK since 2016, is now open for applications.

Local charities, community groups and other not-for-profit organisations can apply if they are delivering projects that support young people to fulfil their potential, help older people feel connected or improve people’s mental wellbeing. 

We’re also accepting applications for projects that focus on tackling climate change, reducing waste and protecting nature.

One voluntary organisation currently being supported through the Local Community Fund is Love Springwater Park in Whitefield, Bury

Funding from Co-op Members is helping the group run weekly sessions focussing on the ongoing maintenance and improvement of Springwater Park for the benefit of the local community and for the numerous species that call it home. Last year, the park was formally designated as a local nature reserve – a huge milestone and moment of celebration for the group and the local community.

We caught up with Love Springwater Park volunteer, Liz Postlethwaite, to find out more.

“We know that Springwater Park is a hugely important part of our local community, and it’s brilliant to be part of a group which is creating positive change,” explains Liz. 

“The park attracts a mix of people of different ages, backgrounds and diversity. It’s a space that people love and serves as a haven, especially within our built-up area.” 

Thanks to the funding it receives from the Local Community Fund, the group can run and support a range of projects including workshops for schools, community events, art sessions and nature walks so that more people can explore the nature reserve and learn more about the unique history and ecology of the site.

“We strongly believe that the nature reserve belongs to everybody and actively develop projects that are specifically targeted at folk who may feel excluded from visiting or taking part,” says Liz.

Currently this is focused mainly on working with children and young people through workshops and visits for schools, partnerships with local youth projects, a weekly session for home educated children, and a range of activities specifically for families. 

The group have also been looking at developing new projects. Liz told us: “We are always looking for new ways to widen our reach and are currently exploring ways that we can develop a programme of activity, specifically for socially isolated older people living locally.”

Being part of the Co-op Local Community Fund has also boosted the group’s profile in the local area and Liz is proud to be a part of an initiative that gives back to local causes.

“It’s brilliant that our involvement in the fund is spreading the word about the work that we do and it’s really positive that through the fund members can support our work simply by choosing us as their local cause,” says Liz.

“Many local children have visited the park because of the support that we have received from the fund. And we are really excited about all the new people who will visit the nature reserve because of the exciting activities that we’ve got coming up over the summer months.”

Simply by choosing a cause, Co-op Members are giving valuable support to local projects like Love Springwater Park. 

“As well as much-needed financial support, being part of the Co-op Local Community Fund is also brilliant advocacy,” says Liz.

If you know a charity, community group or other voluntary organisation that needs funding, encourage them to apply to the Local Community Fund by Sunday 7 July. For more information and to apply, visit coop.co.uk/causes.

Last year, more than 1.3m Co-op Members chose a cause to support – why not join them and help share funding in your community?  Choose a cause via the Co-op App or online and help make a difference in your community today.