COMMUNITY is at our heart. Not just because we aim to make a real difference within our community but because we are our community. Our colleagues, members, local suppliers and customers all make up the unique island community to which we belong.
It is why everything we do as a local retailer aims to put purpose before profit, helping to make a real difference to the communities we serve.
A passion for making a real differencec in the Channel Islands for more than 25 years, thanks to our dedicated community funds, Helping Hands and Eco Fund.
With support from our members, we have been able to donate hundreds of thousands of pounds to local charities and organisations throughout the years, supporting our community and our environment.
We are committed to supporting the issues that matter most to our members. This is why we are proud to introduce our brand-new funding initiative, the Co-op Community Fund.
Replacing our previous Helping Hands and Eco Funds, our new Community Fund will combine the very best of both so that we can bring a stronger focus to the core values of our Society.
An exciting new fund for our community
The Co-op Community Fund is open now for applications from charities, organisations, schools, clubs and more. If you are involved in a local project which looks to benefit the social or environmental aspects of our island, we want to hear from you.
We want to support initiatives that match our core principles such as inspiring the next generation, sustainability, health and wellbeing, supporting the aging population or social inclusion and accessibility.
We know that a little bit of funding is sometimes the difference between an idea and a project coming to life and benefiting the community. That is why we have no deadlines or closing dates, just two key grant pay-outs annually to successful causes, one in the spring and a second in the autumn.
The real changes speak for themselves
We are proud of our role and connections within our community. We stand by the belief that belonging is everything and that together we can achieve real positive changes in our island.
We have seen for ourselves the changes that can be made in our community when we come together.
In 2019, mental-health support group LINC Community received a grant from our Helping Hands fund. LINC Community provides a safe space for Islanders to meet up in a non-judgmental environment, to build friendships and to try new activities to improve their mental wellbeing.
Group facilitator Jo Thorpe said: ‘We are so grateful to the Co-op for the Helping Hands funding which will go towards running costs of the organisation and resources for activities. Knowing that we have some funding in place means we can continue to put on a meaningful programme with scope to grow and reach even more Islanders who need support.’
Applications for the spring 2021 funding pay-out can be made until 12 May 2021. Find out more about the new Co-op Community Fund and apply today at channelislands.coop/CommunityFund.
