Lincolnshire Co-op is to channel more funds to mental health and domestic abuse charities through its Community Champions scheme.
Community engagement manager Sam Turner said: “As the country goes through uncertain times, we feel it’s important for our Community Champions scheme to react to a need and be used to support charities who have seen an increase in demand for their vital services.”
Edan Lincs, based in Lincolnshire, supports and empowers those who have suffered or are exposed to domestic violence. Its fundraising co-ordinator Lucy W said: “We were excited when Lincolnshire Co-op approached us – it felt like we’d won the lottery
“We’re anticipating a further rise in referrals in the coming months as lockdown eases. The money that Lincolnshire Co-op is raising has come at the right time and can be channelled into the service to enable us to manage the increasing need as a result of coronavirus.”
North East Lincolnshire Mind and Hull and East Yorkshire Mind are two of around 130 branches of the charity across England and Wales delivering services, campaigning and giving a voice to people with mental health problems.
Area CEO Emma Dallimore said: “We’re thrilled that Lincolnshire Co-op have chosen to support us. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year, and we know that this can make every day feel like a struggle.
“With Lincolnshire Co-op’s support, we can continue to help more individuals and ensure that nobody has to face a mental health problem alone.”
Fundraising has already started and continues until September. Every time a Lincolnshire Co-op member shops with their dividend card, money goes into the pot. Proceeds from the carrier bag levy and colleague fundraising will go towards the total too.
Funds raised will go to the following groups:
- Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Mind: Scarborough
- Mind: North Lincolnshire
- Mind: East Yorkshire and Hull
- Mind: North East Lincolnshire
- Edan Lincs (Lincolnshire)
- South Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse (SOLDAS)
- North East Lincolnshire Women’s Aid
- Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid
- IDAS (Yorkshire and Barnsley)
- Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services (Norfolk)
