Which Community Groups Can Apply?
Community Connect is an initiative which enables Scotmid members living in the Lakes & Dales to decide how funding will be distributed in their communities. Applications are open for the next cycle in early 2025.
Community Connect is simple: Three Good Cause Groups one from each of the three geographic areas covering the Lakes and Dales trading area (Cumbria, Weardale and Northumberland) will receive a financial award of up to £5,000 following a vote by our members.
To be kept up to date with the latest funding news please contact membership@scotmid.co.uk to be added to our mailing list.
Scotmid members living in the Lakes and Dales area collect one Community Connect vote every time they shop in store. They then vote for their preferred project. The group with the most votes receives £5,000 and the two other winners are awarded £2,000.
We welcome applications from Good Cause groups covering the Lakes and Dales trading area, you don't need to be a registered charity.
Our Trading Areas Are:
Frosterley, Keswick, Lazonby, Seaton Delaval, Shap, Stanhope, St Johns Chapel
Applicants must be:
- An established Good Cause Group or Charity who have an idea which will enhance your local community
- Have a clear project or idea on how the funds will be spent
We’re looking for applications that:
- Benefit a community centred around a Lakes and Dales store
- Are scheduled to be completed within 24 months of the award date
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Community Connect has two award cycles every year, three groups are chosen twice a year.
Good Cause Groups can apply via our online form, we encourage you to read the full terms and conditions before doing so.
All applications that meet the criteria will be considered by a panel of members and Lakes and Dales staff. Up to six long listed groups will then be invited to attend a short meeting to discuss their application in a little more detail.
Following this meeting, three groups will be shortlisted by the panel – one group from each of the geographical areas served by our Lakes and Dales stores (Cumbria, Weardale and Northumberland). The final amount awarded to each shortlisted group will be decided by members living in the Lakes and Dales area.
You can encourage anyone connected with your group to become a member, join in-store and begin collecting votes.
The full list of responsibilities can be found in our Terms and Conditions.
Our frequently asked questions section here will give you more information.
You can also contact the Membership team on:
Email: membership@scotmid.co.uk
Phone: 0131 335 4433
A panel consisting of Society members living in the Lakes and Dales area and Lakes and Dales employees will make the decision.
No, however only members can collect and use votes.
If your group is one of the 6 long listed groups you will be invited to attend a brief, informal meeting to discuss your application.
The final three shortlisted groups will be announced shortly after this meeting.
Latest News
Read about all the latest news from Lakes & Dales Co-op:
