Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society is celebrating a major milestone as our Community Fund surpasses £68,000 raised in support of dozens of local charities and community groups across Essex.
Since its launch four years ago, the Community Fund has helped organisations and charities tackling issues ranging from food poverty and homelessness to youth development, mental health support, and arts and heritage projects. The initiative, driven by the generosity of Chelmsford Star members and Society donations, allows local people to give back directly to the communities they live and work in.
Chelmsford Star has been fundraising for the community for over 150 years – through world wars, economic downturns, changing fashions and changing times. Whether through its early benevolent schemes, its long-running Charity of the Year initiative, or the emergency support given during the pandemic, the Society has always found ways to stand beside the people of Essex. The Community Fund, launched in the wake of COVID-19, has since distributed grants to more than 40 local causes, each carefully chosen by a committee of members for the impact they have in their area. Many of those recipients gathered at Chelmsford Star’s flagship store recently to share their stories, meet each other, and spark new connections.
Pauline Dodd, one of the elected members who allocate the grants, said, “It has been a great privilege to have been able to see many of these charities in action, and to understand how the grants have helped them survive and thrive during tough times. Without charities such as these, and the volunteers who support them, Essex would be in a much worse position.”
As we prepare to hand over our operations to Central Co-op, one chapter may be closing – but one of our proudest achievements will carry on. Thanks to the recent agreement to transfer engagements, the Chelmsford Star Community Fund will keep both its name and its purpose, continuing to support local causes in the years ahead. For those who have known and loved the Society, the Fund will be a living reminder of our values, its generosity, and the countless ways Chelmsford Star has touched local lives for more than a century and a half.
Jo Macaulay, from Essex Community Foundation who manage the Fund, said, “It’s been a real pleasure to work with Chelmsford Star to highlight opportunities to fund projects and core costs of organisations that align with their co-op values. It is wonderful that this will continue long into the future under the new arrangement.”
Chelmsford Star Co-op has long championed causes that matter to its members, from sustainability and Fairtrade to tackling loneliness and inequality. The Community Fund has become a vital tool in building stronger, fairer communities throughout the region – and now, it will continue to do so as a lasting legacy for generations to come.
For more information about the Chelmsford Star Co-op Community Fund, how to apply, or how to contribute, visit chelmsfordstar.coop/community/fund.