Two groups bag cash from Tamworth Co-op charity pot

A mental health charity, along with a group supporting children with special needs and disabilities have had their funds topped up through  carrier bag sales in Tamworth Co-op stores.

Burton and District Mind has received £1,000, with SHOUT being handed £500 from the Cash in the Bag scheme.

Customers at Co-operative convenience stores in Stretton and Rosliston helped to raise the money.

Burton and District Mind development and sustainability officer Keri Lawrence said the generous funding would support the team in delivering projects for people with mental health problems across East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth.

Stretton Co-op Cash in the Bag presentation with store manager and Burton Mind representative

Jodie Copeland, manager of the Co-operative store in Stretton, presents a cheque for £1,000 to Burton and District Mind development and sustainability officer Keri Lawrence.

“Sadly, since the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, even more people have approached Burton and District Mind with mental health needs. In 2023, we supported over 4,000 people.

“The development and sustainability team deliver projects such as Walk and Talk Football, Bat and Chat Cricket and Music Minds where mental health and wellbeing activities can work together to introduce people to new hobbies or activities.

“Donations, such as the wonderful total provided by the Co-op, allows us to run pilot sessions to evidence effectiveness or to keep successful projects going whilst we wait on grant funding.”

Some of the money will also be used to train new volunteers. The charity, which has an office in Branston Road, offers a range of services, including counselling, one-to-one recovery support and peer support groups, helping people to combat a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, emotional pain, guilt and anger issues.

The organisation has the full-time equivalent of 25 staff, supported by 20 volunteers, with two more being trained.

Jodie Copeland, manager of the Co-operative in James Brindley Way, who handed over the cheque to Burton and District Mind, said: “It’s very rewarding to know that we’re making a real difference to people’s lives through helping to facilitate the valuable work which the charity carries out. The money was raised through the Cash in the Bag initiative which is run annually in Tamworth Co-op convenience stores including ours. This year we’ve been handing out money to 16 charities and schools in the Society’s trading area.”

SHOUT meets on Monday evenings at Woodville Youth & Community Centre, with volunteers providing a range of craft, sensory and physical activities for a core group of around 20 children and young adults. Parents and carers benefit too, staying on site during the meetings and chatting to each other.

The group also arranges trips to attractions such as Twycross Zoo and pantomimes, but last year had to cancel those due to lack of funds.

Rachel Cridland, one of the volunteers, said: “This kind donation is very much appreciated. It has already enabled us to provide the children and young adults of Woodville and Swadlincote with many new opportunities. They will continue to benefit from the donation throughout the year as we have booked entertainers to visit the centre. The money will also be used for days out during the summer holiday.

“We’ve used the money to have an entertainer peform a magical show for our families – and to bring in a lady who does  paper crafts with the children, turning old books into hedgehogs!”