Oldham community groups celebrate Co-op funding boost

Mahdlo Youth Zone Chief Executive Lucy Lees, Chairman Chris Wareing and members Lola and Sophia with Ian Woodhead, Lindsey Milnes, Rebecca Birkbeck - Co-op Director of Community and Member Participation, Daryll Riley, Shirine Khoury-Haq– Co-op Group CEO and Rebecca Shipley from Co Op

Local causes in Oldham were in for a special surprise this week as they received funding support from the Co-op's Local Community Fund.

They were joined by Co-op Group CEO, Shirine Khoury-Haq, and its Director for Community and Member Participation, Rebecca Birkbeck.

At a time when many community causes are experiencing funding challenges and a surge in demand, the money raised when Co-op member’s buy own-branded products and services has been shared by 4,500 projects across the UK this week to support vital services in local communities. 

Since 2016, Co-op members have raised £117 million for local communities, including over 30,000 local community projects across the UK through the Co-op’s Local Community Fund - helping to build stronger and more resilient communities by tackling key issues such as access to food, mental wellbeing support and opportunities for young people.

In Oldham this week, Oldham Young Carers (who received £2,026); Oasis Hub Oldham (£1,504); Team Hill Charitable Trust (£3,248); Springhead Community Centre Gardening Gang (£3,908); Lydgate Community Association (£3,279) and Mahdlo Youth Zone (£1,600) – were among grass-roots and local community groups across the UK celebrating the funding boost.

Ms Birkbeck said: “I am delighted to see the incredible amount Co-op members have raised, simply by choosing Co-op.

"We know that the cost of living crisis is making it incredibly challenging for many local causes.

"I’m proud our Local Community Fund can be a life-line, not only promoting the development of stronger, more resilient and fairer communities but also helping people cope with what life throws at them.

"By listening closely to our local causes, along with data from Co-op's Community Wellbeing Index, and our network of Member Pioneers, it’s helped us bring to life Co-op’s vision of ‘Co-operating for a Fairer World’, providing the long-term investment and support local causes need.

"Our members have all helped make their communities places where they can be proud to live and work.”

The latest round of Co-op’s Local Community Fund has supported 4,500 community projects UK-wide, and is estimated to have benefited over 1.3 million people - with causes highlighting that the funding and support will enable them to help people to make a positive change during these challenging times.

Co-op is owned by its members, and its family of businesses operate across Food, Funeralcare, Insurance and Legal Services.

Members of the Co-op receive exclusive offers, deals and discounts – in Co-op Food stores, for instance, when members buy own-branded products, 2p for every £1 spent goes into a Members personal Membership account, with Co-op donating the same amount to support community organisations and local causes.

For more information about the benefits of Co-op Membership, and how to support your local community, click here

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