Co-op Foundation awards £400k to keep communities connected

11 February 2021

Co-op’s charity, the Co-op Foundation, has awarded more than £400,000 to organisations across England to build connections and tackle isolation and loneliness in the community.

Grants of up to £10,000 have been awarded from the £1.6m Space to Connect partnership between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Foundation to unlock the potential of community spaces where people can connect and co-operate.

The grants build on £880,000 of Space to Connect funding awarded to organisations in 2019, with the aim of connecting people, places and communities to create positive change.

In total, 44 organisations will receive the additional funding to help them expand on what they’ve learnt in their projects since 2019 and further adapt their services throughout Covid and beyond.  

Organisations will build on projects that focus on activities such improving access to community spaces, development of community events, and improved use of parks.   

Nick Crofts, CEO of Co-op Foundation said: 

“This funding comes at a crucial time for our Space to Connect partners and the communities they serve, to support them through what is a very challenging time.  

Additional funding will allow organisations to continue their work to strengthen connections, tackle isolation, and address inequality in communities. It will also give organisations an opportunity to develop spaces for people to re-connect following the Covid-19 pandemic.”    

Baroness Diana Barran, Minister of State for Civil Society and Loneliness, DCMS said: 

“One thing the last year has taught us is the importance of social connections so I am thrilled that the Co-op Foundation will be awarding funding to organisations which bring people and communities together, creating long-lasting shared experiences. With the start of this year continuing to be as challenging as the last, this will play a crucial role in helping tackle loneliness and social isolation.” 

Co-op Foundation is the Co-op’s charity. It helps people challenge inequality and co-operate for change so they can share a fairer future.  

Funding awarded today will contribute to Co-op’s overall commitment to helping communities build resilience during Covid and beyond. 

Subscribe to the Co-op Foundation blog to be the first to find out when funding applications open: www.coopfoundation.org.uk/blog