Sidmouth Netball Club and Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub are to receive funding from the Co-op’s Local Community Fund this year.

They are two of the local causes chosen to benefit from the money raised by Co-op members when they buy selected own-brand products and services.

Sidmouth Netball Club will use the funding to develop two floodlit courts for the growth and development of netball in Sidmouth, and Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub plans to offer free places for young people to attend its creative arts and crafts workshops at The Fishermen's Shed, to build confidence as a pathway to wellbeing.

This support comes as information from more than 3,000 local community causes across the UK shows that more than 59 per cent of their projects have experienced a shortfall in funding over the past 12 months, while 84 per cent of local causes have seen an increase in demand - particularly those providing support for people through the cost of living crisis.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and member participation at Co-op, said: “We know that the cost of living crisis is making it incredibly challenging for many local causes. Our Local Community Fund promotes the development of stronger, more resilient, and fairer communities. Our community groups and local organisations are providing valuable services and support to people at a time when they need it most. Our Co-op membership is a powerful way for people to make a difference simply by shopping at Co-op.”

Co-op members have helped raise £117 million for local communities since 2016, including support for more than 30,000 projects across the UK through the Local Community Fund. Members can also choose the local cause they would like to support through their membership.

The Local Community Fund supports grassroots projects to help deliver Co-op’s vision of co-operating for a fairer world, bringing people together to provide access to food; access to mental wellbeing; and access to opportunities for young people, as well as protecting local biodiversity or reduce carbon emissions.

More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership including its exclusive offers and deals is available by visiting https://www.coop.co.uk/membership