From organisations supporting families affected by a cancer diagnosis, to those ensuring communities across the borough have equal access to healthy and affordable food, Co-op continues to play its part in lending a helping hand to key local causes across Richmond. 

The retailer's Local Community Fund (LCF) is awarded annually to organisations who are deemed to serve one or more of the Co-op's pillars; providing access to food, access to well-being and providing opportunities for the young. 

Food for Thought Heathfield and The Mulberry Centre were among the organisations supported by the Co-op's Local Community Fund in 2022 and each has gone from strength-to-strength over the course of the year. 

Since first opening its doors in 2001, The Mulberry Centre provides non-clinical support for those affected by cancer in Richmond and Hounslow, including those with a diagnosis, carers, family members and bereaved relatives. 

The Mulberry Centre benefitted from a £4,081 donation from Co-op as one of the retailer's local community fund recipients for 2022.

The centre's services range from psychological support, informative workshops and wellbeing classes, to social and creative activities. 

Currently, The Mulberry Centre has 12 employees who work part-time and over a hundred volunteers who provide professional counselling and lead the various workshops and activities. All services are provided free of charge and so the Co-op's community fund has been vital in ensuring a diverse programme is available for members to take part in. 

A host of services are provided by The Mulberry Centre for those affected by cancer including creative workshops.

Commenting on the Co-ops involvement, Jassi Grewal, The Mulberry Centre's Community Engagement Officer said: "Following the Covid-19 pandemic it was a big deal being able to reopen services in a face-to-face capacity in 2022. 

"Some members simply pop in for a chat and a coffee or take part in a yoga or tai chi class. Although we have so many incredible volunteers who make the Mulberry centre what it is, as with any organisation there are costs involved with the day-to-day-running. Hosting guests for informative talks or professional instructors to run classes. 

"We will also be hosting our first World Cancer Day on Friday 3rd February where the Mayor of Richmond will be in attendance as well as local councillors to help spread the word of how our services can benefit people across the borough. 

"Support from the Co-op allows us to push our boundaries and continue to develop as a local not for profit and for that we are incredibly grateful." 

The Mulberry Centre Trustees celebrating the organisations' 21st anniversary in June 2022.

Funding from the Co-op has allowed The Mulberry Centre to ensure workshops, talks and presentations are included throughout their World Cancer Day event which will help to raise awareness on how to acknowledge signs and symptoms of cancer as well as the importance of screening and how to access support. 

Food for Thought Heathfield is another local not for profit organisation which the Co-op supports. It first opened in November 2020 during the pandemic, offering surplus food to the community in Heathfield, Whitton and across the Richmond borough. 

The organisation hosts two pop-up stalls at its outdoor location at Heathfield Recreation Ground on Thursdays and Saturdays, providing members of the community with access to food in a sustainable fashion. 

Food for Thought Heathfield with the £3,686 donation they received from Co-op in 2022.

Having just celebrated its two-year mark in November 2022, the organisation now prevents two-and-a-half tonnes of food from ending up on a landfill and attracts over 200 people a week to their stalls. 

As Food for Thought set up during the height of the pandemic, its outdoor location was often a chance for members of the community to take part in their daily exercise and socialise with neighbours in a Covid-permitted manner. 

The community feel of the not for profit organisation has now been firmly cemented with children able to play in the nearby playground as parents and adults socialise as they collect their weekly supplies. 

Food for Thought is based at the Heathfield Recreation Ground.

Commenting on the organisations' success, Food for Thought Director Katie Allen told Nub News: "As an organisation committed to reducing food waste and providing affordable access to all, Food for Thought has built an incredibly fruitful relationship with Co-op. 

"We ensure that their stores across the borough are avoiding adding to the unforgiveable amount of food ending up on landfills whilst also encouraging residents to source their shopping in a sustainable and green manner." 

Ms Allen added: "We've established wonderful relationships with Co-op stores across the borough who are so supportive of our mission and the community fund has allowed us to earmark funding for our soon-to-be-announced new location, helping us to increase the reach of households we are able to help navigate their way through the current cost of living crisis." 

The organisation is a previous winner of the Richmond Council's Community Heroes Award.

This year, Co-op's across Richmond will be supporting the Briar Road Allotment Holders Association (BRAHA), Richmond Cruse Bereavement Support and The Purple Elephant Project's Therapeutic Hub. 

Co-op membership helps support your local community, with great rewards for you too. When you buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes to you and the Co-op gives the same to local communities. 

For more information on becoming a Co-op member, visit the link here.