Woohoo ! Pudsey's gone and done it again ! Children In Need have once again raised a huge amount of cash for those who could do with a little help and has highlighted innumerable projects that have been undertaken and good causes that have benefited from the donated cash. It's great to see communities coming together to raise money but also taking advantage of the projects that make things better for everyone who lives in them.
Well, if all those good deeds and projects have given you some ideas of your own, you might like to know about The Cooperative Membership Fund, which has already helped thousands of clubs, community groups and local charities to make Britain a better place. This year The Co-operative Members have donated £1.2 million of their share of profits to local community groups across the country. It's run in a really interesting way, on a truly local level, with projects allocated by postcode so the money that members have donated in their area goes back into their local region.
To qualify for a grant, there are a few criteria that need to be met. The group applying for the grant must carry out positive work in the community, although it does not have to have charitable status to qualify. The project must address a community issue, provide long term benefit to the community, support co-operative values and principles and, ideally, be innovative in its approach.
Grants vary from a minimum of £100 to a maximum of £2,000. You could do a lot of good with that amount of money but even a small grant could make a big difference in the community. A project that I would absolutely love to see in my own local community would be a kids' allotment, getting young people into the garden to see how they can grow their own fruit and vegetables, as well as learning about the environment, organic gardening and composting. It would be great to then have a kids cookery club where they could learn to cook (and taste !) everything they've grown, showing them about healthy eating, home cookery and how much cheaper it is to cook up a tasty homegrown supper than grabbing a takeaway. It would also keep them off the streets and out of trouble, as well as enable them to pass their new found skills on to their families. Maybe I'll have to apply for a grant and try to put it into action when I finally hit retirement !!
Other projects that have been funded include swimming lessons and other sports clubs, but also beekeeping and exhibitions. Have a think about your local community and see what ideas you can come up with to make it a better place for everyone. Let me know if you come up with any great schemes !
For more information and to apply for funding, please go to http://www.co-operative.coop/membership/local-communities/community-fund/onlineapplicationprocess/
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