Community Groups Awarded Co-op Grants!

30 voluntary and community sector groups have been awarded a share of £40,000 from Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society’s Community Dividend Fund to continue their critical work in supporting local people.

The Community Dividend Fund launched just two months ago was designed to support projects across Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society’s trading area with applications welcomed from community groups, clubs, voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises which seek to improve the quality of life.

The Community Dividend Fund was launched after Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society had an exceptional trading year and members agreed to allocate £40,000 to the community.

Gill Borbon, Fund Co-ordinator said “As a community retailer we invest our profits back into the communities we serve and we realise grants are a vital source of income for many groups throughout our trading area.

“Even though the voluntary and community sector groups only had a month to apply for the grant we were inundated with applications. The appraisal process was tough and the Community Dividend Fund panel found it extremely difficult as there were so many worthy projects.

We had some fantastic and innovative projects submitted and 30 groups have now been chosen. All successful applicants were thrilled and have been invited to a presentation afternoon."

The presentation afternoon will be held at the Novotel Wednesday 26th August at 2.30pm.

Attending: Successful community groups, Plymouth & South West Co-operative President - Jill Blake, Chief Executive – Douglas Fletcher, Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

Notes: The following applications were successful -

Hope Baptist Youth and Childrens Centre - £1,000
Pembroke Street EMB - £2,000
Mount Wise Youth and Community Project - £2,000
Old Priory PTA - £753.58
The Budshead Trust - £1,418.36
Plymouth Musical Activities Club - £1,301.98
Halwel and Moreleigh Village Hall - £1,000
Beatbreakers - £2,500
Active Kingston - £1,376.35
Torbay Play Forum - £2,000
South Devon YMCA - £1,400
Downsouth - £2,500
Groundwork South West - £1,000
Voices for Change - £1,540
Keyham and Devonport Community Amateur Theatre - £1,500
Plymouth Ghana Link - £1,000
Disabled Sailing Association - £1,400
The Beacons Wheelchair Dancers - £1,000
Broadreach House - £2,000Plymouth Independent Living - £1,000
Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community - £900
All Stars Theatre Group - £1,400
The National Autistic Society - £1,000
Modbury Association of Recreation and Sports - £1,000
Cullompton Cricket Club - £1,000
Friends of Devonport Park - £1,000
Hands2gether - £1,000
Kingsbridge and District Agenda 21 - £1,000
Access to Community Education - £1,000
Allerdice Village Hall - £1,000


For further information please contact:

Nicky Demellweek, Senior Marketing Co-ordinator
Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society
Tel: 01752 303337
E-mail: ndemellweek@psw.coop