A Coalville community group has received a share of a £27,000 grant handed out by Central England Co-op.

Think FC plays a major role in community activities and initiatives in the Coalville area.

Now it has been awarded £2,880 to help fund an eight-week workshop to make business tools and skills more accessible to all.

Deana Wildgoose, of Think FC, said: "We are delighted to receive continued support from CEC to make a difference in our community.

"In the new year we will be offering an eight week THINK tool sharing programme which will be offered for free to people who are a bit stuck.

"All the THINK tools are designed to help with everyday life - generating ideas, setting and achieving goals, getting stuff done.

"They are based on professional business and personal development tools which we have made accessible, shareable and fun!

"The eight weeks will be run from our base on Memorial Square, which would not be possible without the generous support of World Habitat who have provided the venue.

"The sessions will bring people together and include sharing ways to get people connecting, thinking and planning.

"Everyone will get a thinking kit which will include journals and planners and a special 'daily spiral'.

"We welcome adults and older children and we specifically are interested in supporting people that want to make changes in their own lives and /or in their communities.

"We are especially interested in working alongside those experiencing difficulties or who have not got access to the usual education routes. This might include but is not limited to:

• Home schooled children and families
• People that have anxiety or other MH issues
• People experiencing homelessness or loneliness
• People that want to support others but don't quite know how
• People that want to share their skills or interests."

Central England Co-op has given money to 18 charities and good causes as part of its revamped Community Dividend Fund aimed at backing those who help support access to food, health and wellbeing, inclusion and the environment.

Groups can apply for between £100 to £5,000 every two months to support differing projects after, for the past 12 months, the fund was temporarily repurposed to support good causes impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

During that time, 116 good causes have shared over £175,000.

Jim Watts, Society Secretary, said: "Community Dividend Fund grants showcase how by being a member and shopping at your local Central England Co-op store allows us as a Society to continue to invest and fund vital projects in the area – especially during uncertain times like these.

"Our relaunched fund aligns with our new Society Purpose to create a sustainable Society for all and we are delighted to share these funds with these amazing groups and cannot wait to see how they use it to benefit their local community."

To apply, members will need: name, address, membership number, organisation type, organisation bank account or constitution and to explain what the group does, how the grant will be spent and the specific impact it will have related to Covid-19. Groups can find out the full criteria and how to apply for funding by visiting HERE.