THE CO-OP is looking to support organisations that make a difference in their local community by protecting and improving community spaces.

The chain has supported 43 Bracknell and Wokingham local causes over the past two years and wants to use its next Local Community Fund to target the specific groups.

The decision came after talking to its members and people across the UK over the passed year to find out what matters most to them and what could be improved in their local community.

The result of the community feedback was a community Wellbeing Index, which helps identify three key areas to make communities safer and stronger places to live and work.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and shared value at the Co-op, said: “Through working with communities across the UK to understand what matters most to their collective wellbeing, we’ve developed our Community Wellbeing Index.

“This, along with the views of more than 10,000 Co-op members, has led us to focus on three key areas that make the greatest difference to communities.”

Groups looking to deliver projects are being urged to apply to be a beneficiary of the scheme, which paid out an average of nearly £5,000 to 4,000 causes across the UK last year.

Applications are due to close on June 15, for more information about the funding, visit: coop.co.uk/causes.