Co-operative members in the South Yorkshire and Chesterfield region have helped seven local groups in Sheffield, with a fantastic grant of over £8,700 between them. The LGBT Youth group Off the Scene has received £2,000 towards a series of sports based activities for members. Other organisations to benefit include The Children’s Hospital Charity, The Magic Lantern Film Club, Sheffield Inclusive Football, The Greenhill Bradway, St. Andrews Child Contact Centre, and Sheffield Social Enterprise Network.
The groups received the cash boosts from The Co-operative’s Community Fund, a pot of money accumulated by member customers opting to donate all or part of their annual dividend to good causes in the area. The money is distributed by The Co-operative’s local area committees.
Dot Miller, Chair of the South Yorkshire and Chesterfield Area Committee said:
“Supporting local communities has been an inherent part of The Co-operative’s values and principles since the very beginning of the Co-operative Movement. We are particularly proud of the Community Fund, as it demonstrates how the generosity of our members can make a real difference in their local area, and now we have stores and branches in every postal area of the UK it makes it all the more relevant.”
Co-operative members receive a payment twice a year based on the points they earn when they trade at any of the Group’s businesses, including The Co-operative Food, Travel, Pharmacy and Funeralcare, as well as The Co-operative Bank, Smile, and The Co-operative Insurance. Community Fund application forms are available online at www.co-operative.coop/communityfund or by phoning 0844 262 4001. Awards are allocated by local Co-operative members’ committees, based on a set of values and principles such as social responsibility and caring for others.