LOCAL causes doing good work in Twickenham have benefited from a pay-out of thousands of pounds thanks to the generosity of Co-op members.

Three charities based in the area received a combined amount of more than £13,000 from the Co-op's Local Community fund last November (2021).

For every £1 spent on selected products and services by Co-op members, 2p goes into their membership account and can be spent on supporting a local cause.

The charities supported at the November pay-out were The Wild Mind Project, the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association, and TAG Youth Club.

All of these groups align with the Co-op's mission of providing communities with fairer access to mental and physical wellbeing.

The Wild Mind Project provides young people who are struggling with their mental health with free workshops and programmes based in nature.

These range from 'forest bathing' to creative activities, and also include parent/carer workshops.

Founder and CEO of Wild Mind, Bernie Simcox, told Nub News more about their work.

She said: "We use green locations to get young people outside, to do outdoor activities and art

"Importantly, young people make a new group of friends lasting beyond the programme."

The project received £4890.89 from the November 2021 pay-out and the funding went on supporting this work.

Ms Simcox added: "We are very grateful to [the Co-op and Co-op members] for their support."

The Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA) received £3,922.91 at the pay-out.

The voluntary organisation based in Hounslow supports refugees from the country and played a key role when thousands of Afghan citizens were evacuated to the UK this summer.

Darius, who works at the ACAA, told Nub News how the November pay-out went towards supporting new arrivals.

The money was spent on "providing transport, delivering donations and management costs to the organisation" he said.

This includes the costs of hiring a van - so that donations including clothes can be distributed - and paying volunteer expenses

"We receive the money as a charity to support the newly arrived refugees, to support in the initial resettlement," he added.

Tag Youth Club was also supported by Co-op members and the supermarket last year.

The charity based at Ham Hall delivers personal, social and educational opportunities to young people with disabilities in Richmond and Kingston boroughs.

As well as a weekly adult and junior youth club, Tag provides sports and holiday activities plus trips and a sensory library.

A young carers club is also available for young people who have siblings with disabilities.

Tag Youth Club received £5038.48 in the November pay-out to support its activities.

At the Co-op, for every £1 you spend on selected Co-op products and services, 2p will go to back to you. And we'll give the same to support community organisations and local causes.

Select your local cause today at coop.co.uk/local-causes or go to the Co-op App.