Choose your local cause for a chance to win

With the start of a new round of the Local Community Fund, it’s time for Co-op Members to choose their new local cause to support for a chance to win.  

Right by your community 

We’re not owned by a wealthy few, we’re owned by you; our members. Which means our members get a say in how we spend a share of our profits in local communities. Every October, 2,500 causes join our Local Community Fund to receiving funds thanks to Co-op members choosing to support them for the next 12 months.  

And, since April, every month, 10 Co-op members are winning £500 for themselves and £5,000 for their chosen local cause, thanks to our prize draw ‘Winners Share It All’. 

Fancy a chance of winning in November, all you have to do is choose your NEW cause and swipe your card* instore or online and you could be one of our winners, like our recent Co-op Member winners, Mike (Wrexham), Paul (Dunfermline) and Alison (Mansfield). 

What’s more, if you choose your new local cause before 31 October, you’ll get an extra entry in to this month’s prize draw* – what are you waiting for.  

The prize draw is designed to help boost Co-op’s existing support for thousands of Local Community Fund causes across the UK, such as this month’s winners: 

Transforming Lives Together (Chester) run a cafe that supports lonely people in the community. The group of friendly volunteers sit with guests and chat with them for as long as they like. 

“We are absolutely delighted to hear about this funding and very grateful to both the Co-op and the member who chose us to receive the funding. The funding will go towards our 52 Places of Welcome, it will help us to support these free drop -in weekly cafes with equipment, food and signage. This will enable them to reach more people in their local communities, especially those who are lonely or vulnerable in some way.  It will also help with our ‘Filling the Gap’ project where churches provide food and activities to local families during the school holidays.” 

Callum’s Voice (Mansfield) support young people (and their families) who have a range of neurodiverse conditions including: autism and ADHD, and/or associated mental health needs such as depression, anxiety and low mood.  

“We are over the moon and very very grateful. The money will be used to continue to fund counselling sessions for young people in need. Helping with our charity’s mission of improving mental health and well-being for neurodiverse young people within our community.” 

Suicide Bereavement Support Group Chester (Chester) create opportunities for young people to be heard and receive training to make a difference, so that they can offer peer support to others bereaved or affected by suicide. 

“I feel quite excited about winning as it will mean we can train more people in the Papyrus ASIST course in the prevention of young suicide.”

Dunfermline Kings Youth American Football (Dunfermline) provide an alternative sport for children aged 7-17. We are fully inclusive of all children; big, small, fast, tall, boys and girls, there is a position for everyone. 

“Absolutely gobsmacked when I received the call.  At the Kings we carry out taster sessions to local Primary Schools and Scout groups. We don’t charge anything to host these sessions but this money will supply us with a stand alone equipment for schools.” 

Cwmparc Old Age Pensioners (Treorchy) give opportunities to get OAPs out of their homes and gather together for a chat, a cup of tea and a couple of games of bingo – combating social isolation.  

“I am elated and over the moon that our group has be chosen to receive your funding. I have not relayed this to the members as yet. Only the committee members know so far. I want to surprise them. The funds is to take our members on monthly day trips. If we don’t arrange trips some of our members would not venture very far and some don’t go out of their house for long periods of time.” 

Chesterfield Samaritans (Chesterfield) purpose is to be there for people struggling to cope in times of crisis. 

“We are absolutely delighted and so grateful to receive this prize at Chesterfield Samaritans. £5000 is such a huge sum of money for a small charity like ours. This money will keep Chesterfield Samaritans running for nearly 3 months, during which time we will support around 900 people in distress. People contact Samaritans when they need someone to talk to, and our volunteers provide a listening ear and support people when they’re feeling suicidal. Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide, and we are so appreciative of this money helping us be there for people when they need us most. Thank you so much!” 

The H.A.C.K. Horse Sanctuary (Wrexham) creating opportunities for young people, encouraging self-growth and self-belief through learning new skills by working with the rescued animals. 

“As a small volunteer led charity, this is such a boost to our commitment to help young people in the local community. We will be able to continue our work with local groups, schools and associations, giving them opportunities to work along side the rescues here at the sanctuary. Providing them with a safe outdoor space to learn and flourish in a beautiful outdoor environment.” 

Hywel Dda Chemotherapy Day Unit Bronglais Hospital (Tywyn) supply wellness packs to support the mental wellbeing of patients who are receiving anticancer treatments in our hospitals. 

“We are delighted that we have been chosen by a winning Co-op member to receive £5,000 as part of ‘Winners Share It All’. The money will go towards supporting patients receiving anti-cancer treatments at our chemotherapy day unit at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth. Our dedicated specialist nursing teams will carefully chose items for the wellness packs, that will be of most benefit to our patients mental wellbeing both during and after their treatments to help ease some of the inevitable side effects. Items will include warm beanie hats, bandanas and caps for those suffering from hair loss, hand and body creams, warm socks and gloves as some treatments increase sensitivity to the cold. These packs will make a huge difference to our patients and is a great opportunity to show support to people in our communities who are going through cancer treatment. Thank you.” 

Friends of Hallgate Primary School (Ulverston) provide a vibrant and exciting outdoor area for pupils, their families and staff at Hallgate to enjoy for years to come. 

“The school is overwhelmed that we are to receive the £5,000.  The member concerned did call the school to let us know we would receive this generous donation, in addition to the Local Community Fund donations. 

It will help us to reach our goal, to develop our outdoor areas for playing/learning significantly earlier.” 

Through the Local Community Fund, our members have supported 40,000 projects with £108m since the fund began in 2016.  

Winners Share It All 

Our monthly prize draw, ‘Winners Share It All’*, continues until the end of the year! So, make sure to choose your Local Community Fund cause in the Co-op app, pop to your local Co-op (or shop online) and spend £5 to be entered into the prize draw**. Plus, get additional entries for every £5 you spend***.  

*T&Cs apply. 

** Non-members can sign up for just £1 via the Co-op App.  

*** For example, when a member spends £5 you will receive one entry, £10 two entries, £15 three entries etc.