The Bridport Co-op team is celebrating a year of fundraising for three important local causes supported by its Local Community Fund.

Mental wellbeing is a key part of Co-op's vision of 'Co-operating for a Fairer World'. Along with Co-op's partnership with the mental health charity Mind, it focuses on bringing local communities together to support mental wellbeing.

Lesley Windsor, Bridport Co-op's member pioneer, explains: "The Co-op's new research, Together Through Tough Times, shows the vital role of communities in supporting mental wellbeing, with networks of people and hubs creating strong community resilience, which in turn creates the conditions where both individuals and communities can prosper.

"The research identified four themes for how community supports mental wellbeing:

a strong network of community hubs and voluntary sector organisations

opportunities to actively participate and make connections in communities

This ties in directly with the three local causes Bridport Co-op Members chose to support for the last year. When you become a Co-op Member, you can select local causes in your area for the Co-op to support through its Local Community Fund.

The Stepping Out group, which supports those with or recovering from cancer and their families, provides an exercise group specifically designed for working with people combatting this debilitating illness.

Bridport Leisure centre, a non-for-profit organisation that helps support Mental health and wellbeing. The staff are trained in mental health first aid and they work alongside the social prescribing team offering a specific wellbeing programme.

William Thrower, general manager at Bridport Leisure Centre, said: "Physical activity is proven to tackle mental health and increase mental resilience. We work closely with a host of key stakeholders to promote physical activity and accessibility to Bridport Leisure Centre."

The team at the leisure centre has just completed an upgrade of the fitness suite, and included in the project is a dedicated room suitable for physio, stretching, rehabilitation and consultation.

Mr Thrower added: "We hope that the addition of these new facilities will make our centre even more accessible."

The third local cause is the AScape group, which provides peer group support and activities for families with children on the autistic spectrum or with social anxiety issues, building up a strong community network for people with conditions that can be very socially isolating.

One in four of us experience a mental health problem in any one year. That's someone in every family, workplace and friendship circle. In the UK it's around 14 million people. That's why Co-op is working in partnership with Mind, the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and Inspire to bring communities together to support mental wellbeing.

To help you look after and find support for your and others' mental wellbeing, the Co-op has created Be Kind To Your Mind. It includes activities from Co-op and its partners as well as general tips and how to seek support from its charity partners, Mind, SAMH and Inspire.

Find out more here.

If you need support with your mental health or know someone that does, the following can help:

• Contact Mind for support in England and Wales on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday), text: 86463 or email [email protected]
• Text SHOUT for support anywhere on 85258

Co-op membership helps support Co-op's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. When you buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes to you and Co-op gives the same to local communities. See www.coop.co.uk/membership