A THURROCK-based community support initiative seeking to help local people fulfil their potential has received a £1,000 funding boost from The Co-operative Bank, enabling it to enhance its office facilities.

Established in 2008, One Community Development Trust in Tilbury is a locally grown initiative that offers invaluable support to Chadwell St Mary and Tilbury residents and small businesses on a range of issues such as employment and career progression, finances and overall wellbeing.

The charity operates from a shop front on Tilbury's high street, where local people are welcome to come in and chat with staff and volunteers, as well as benefit from the variety of services on offer. Indeed, last year, around 3,000 people from across southern Thurrock accessed One Community's services.

Working in partnership with local organisations, the charity also operates numerous projects that include a work club where residents can gain interview practice and CV Tips, a volunteer investment programme and TLC, which supports people with their mental wellbeing.

One of the charity's key projects is 'Little Things Mean A Lot'. Initially set up during the pandemic, Little Things aims to give people the confidence and skills to manage key aspects of their personal life or business such as finances, career development and mental health in a more effective way. 

The project sees volunteers given training and support to peer mentor other local residents who are facing similar difficulties to the any that they had previously faced. Through this peer support, volunteers are able to share their experiences and solutions with other members of the community in order to help them to address and overcome challenges.

Yewande Kannike, Chief Executive at One Community Development Trust said: "The money we have received from The Co-operative Bank Customer Donation Fund has been crucial as it has enabled us to invest in better office furniture for our staff and volunteers.

"It may seem a small thing but having comfortable, good quality furniture is really important as volunteers involved in our 'Little Things Mean A Lot' project will be sat down, engaging with members of the community for a significant length of time.

"It's vital, therefore, that we provide them with effective seating as it will make a big difference to their health and wellbeing, as well as their capacity to help others and share advice."

Since the fund was set up back in 2003, award-winning charity banking provider* The Co-operative Bank has donated over £1.1 million to more than 1,000 community projects, with £100,000 donated in 2023 alone to support communities through the cost of living crisis.

Amelia Burnett, SME Product Manager at The Co-operative Bank, said: "Supporting our customers, particularly smaller charities and community projects, has never been more important. We are proud to have been able to provide these grants to projects across the UK that are positively impacting communities, at a time when many people are facing cost of living challenges."

Applications for the next round of funding are now open and Community Directplus customers can fill in an application form here. 

For more information on The Co-operative Bank's Community Directplus account, visit this webpage.