There are just a few days left for community groups in Leigh to apply for a grant from Co-op’s Local Community Fund.

Residents of Leigh have until midnight on Sunday, June 13 to request a share of the fund, which has raised more than £185,000 for 67 local causes in the past five years.

A recent survey conducted by Co-op revealed that 53 per cent of community groups have seen their available funding decrease in the past 12 months, with three quarters expecting the demand for their services to increase before the end of 2021.

Around 94 per cent of groups are working to support mental wellbeing with 96 per cent of groups supporting young people and 83 per cent of those tackling food poverty.

More than 3,000 local causes from across the UK shared how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected their groups and communities, highlighting that support for community groups is needed now more than ever before.

THE Co-op is inviting grass root projects in Leigh that support access to food, help improve metal wellbeing or provide opportunities for young people, to apply for the Local community fund.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and shared value at the Co-op, said: “Our Co-op vision is ‘co-operating for a fairer world’ and it’s heartening to see this come to life in these grass roots projects.

“Our Local Community Fund and support from our members has been a lifeline throughout the pandemic and we want even more local groups to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Findings from the survey has shown us that we can all come together to make the world a fairer place.

“Even with the easing of lockdown, the communities across the UK will still need our help.

“Members are encouraged to select a cause each round, allowing them to support grassroots causes in Leigh that they really care about.

“This year, when a group applies for the Local Community Fund, we will also connect them to Co-operate, our online community centre, where they can come together and benefit from help and support from like-minded people and causes.

“This is an exciting development which shows the power of co-operation beyond funding.”

The application deadline has been extended until midnight on Sunday, June 13 and more information is available by visiting coop.co.uk/causes