Central England Co-operative has awarded £40,000 to 26 good causes – from dementia support to dojo repairs – across 16 counties in the latest payout from its Community Dividend Fund.
The fund has supported local sports team, playgroups, village halls and a range of charities and groups. It donates at least 1% of the society’s trading profit to local communities in its trading area of 16 counties from the Midlands to the east coast.
Leicester Transport Heritage Trust was one of the causes to benefit. It was awarded £1,000 to create special bus-shaped memory boxes packed full of memorabilia, which will be taken around hospitals, care homes and memory cafes to help people with dementia remember Leicester’s transport heritage.
Mike Greenwood, director of archives and research at the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust, said: “We are very grateful to the Central England Co-op Community Dividend Fund for their grant, which will be really helpful in our quest to help improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia in our local community.”
Himaya Haven also received a donation, with a £500 award to fund its work with black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, supporting families of loved ones in custody and prison. The Job Marston Centre in Birmingham, which helps people gain the skills and support they need to find a job, was given £2,750 to buy six new laptops and other equipment. And Halesworth Kuk Sool Won martial arts received £5,000 to pay for a new dojo roof.
Central England Co-operative chief executive Martyn Cheatle said: “We are delighted that these good causes have been handed a grant for the fantastic work they do. Grants like this showcase how being a member of Central England Co-op helps us continue to invest and fund vital projects in local areas.”
Grants of between £100 and £5,000 are handed out every three months to a wide range of applicants. People can apply at communities.centralengland.coop/
