A host of Lanarkshire organisations are sharing nearly £63,000 in grants from the Co-op’s local community fund for projects ranging from foodbanks and community gardens to youth projects and gala days.
Eighteen good causes across North and South Lanarkshire have been chosen to benefit from the latest round of funding from the retailer, which sees Co-op members select the causes they would like to support through their dedicated app.
They include Hamilton District Foodbank, which is receiving more than £5700 to boost low stocks of non-perishable food items as well as buying toiletries, pet food and fresh bread, fruit, vegetables and eggs for those it supports.
Bothwell Parish Church and Bothwell Futures have similarly been awarded £1500 to “maintain a healthy stock” at their community food larder; and East Kilbride-based Loaves and Fishes have been granted almost £2000 for their work to provide food parcels, toiletries and pet supplies.
Home Comforts North Lanarkshire will use their boost of £3100 to donate toiletries and cleaning products to vulnerable people who are homeless or living in crisis around the local authority area.
Larkhall-based Hareleeshill Community Hub have been granted almost £5000 and will deliver a range of “activities that will have a positive impact on health and wellbeing” at their busy Howard Street base, with a particular focus on mental health.
Hamilton organisation Supporting Our Community have been granted £3500 for their work in running a community garden and growing area beside their headquarters at Comely Bank, where they aim to “encourage people to learn how to grow their own produce, while also creating a vibrant community space”.
Auld Stanehoose Community Cafe will use their funding boost of £2800 to buy craft equipment and bring in expert teachers for creative get-togethers in their base at The Cross in Stonehouse, “helping those with mental health issues and loneliness” and aiming to “increase confidence and self-esteem”.
Larkhall charity The Machan Trust will similarly provide crafts, games, and food-based activity groups for children and families to support those affected by the cost of living crisis using their funding cheque for £2200, and Lesmahagow Community Fairies will continue their programme of supporting older people in the community with doorstep drops of birthday and Christmas gifts thanks to their Co-op support of nearly £2400.
The committee of Shotts Gala Day have been awarded nearly £3000 aiming to organise the summer festival including a gala court of local schoolchildren, floats, a funfair, entertainment and refreshments.
Bothwell and Uddingston Men’s Shed have received £3000 to “get people talking, involved with the community [and] learning new skills; while both Street Level in Carluke and the Rainforest youth cafe at Forth St Paul’s Church have been awarded over £1900 for their young people’s provision.
The largest single award was £8710 to 1st Biggar Guides, who will use their grant to provide a busy programme for their members including new activities, life skills and community action, while 6th East Kilbride Scouts have been awarded £4500 to buy new camping equipment and hammocks.
Biggar High School Parent Council have been awarded £4600 for their plans to offer a field trip or residential to third-year pupils “who, due to pandemic restrictions, have not had this milestone opportunity”, and their counterparts at Glenmanor Primary in Moodiesburn will receive £3200 for pupils’ environmental work, so far including planting trees, growing fruit and vegetables and taking part in litter picks.
Cumbernauld-based Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland will buy games equipment for their social groups for young people aged 12 to 18 with their grant of nearly £3600.
Rebecca Birkbeck of Co-op said: “Our members have a say on where they would like to see the support given in order to make a difference, and our local community fund works to promote healthy, strong and viable communities.
“We know things are increasingly tough for communities and are delighted that as a direct result of our members shopping with us, causes across the UK will be celebrating receiving critical funding which will help them with delivering the services and support that their community needs and create a real and tangible difference to local lives.”
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