The museum trust’s project has received support from the Co-op Community Foundation

The Co-op Community Fund supports projects across the UK that its members care about by helping the projects raise money. Each year, Co-op members can choose a cause to support, and this year the Foundation’s Sunflower Room project will be one of the causes they can choose from.

The Trust, a heritage and education charity, is creating the Sunflower Room in the Victorian town of Blists Hill, a peaceful space within the Trust’s largest museum where a diverse group of people can find privacy and tranquility. It is expected to be used by people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), mental and physical disabilities, or for activities such as breastfeeding. Money raised from co-op member support will go towards providing sensory toys and equipment, dementia aids, sensory tents, headphones and baby changing mats, among other things.

The trust was selected for the fund by staff at the Co-op’s local branch in Ironbridge. It will automatically receive £500 funding for the Sunflower Room project in March 2025, followed by a second payment in October 2025, the amount of which will reflect the number of co-op members who have chosen the project as a cause they want to support.

Gail Kelly, Head of Development at Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by staff at our local Co-op branch in Ironbridge to be part of the Co-op’s Local Community Trust. Providing the Sunflower Room is one way we can be more inclusive and support our local communities. We hope that Cooperative members will be inspired and choose our project as their business, which will help many people with a variety of needs.”

To develop the Sunflower Room, the foundation partnered with local charity PODS (Parents Opening Doors). Elaine Pearce, PODS Project Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with the trust to create a Sunflower Room that is tailored to the needs of people with SEND. Our members regularly visit the Victorian town of Blists Hill and we know they will benefit from the amenities that will be provided in this new space.”

The foundation is now calling on co-op members to show their support for the Sunflower Room. Existing members can now go to the Co-op app and select a project as their business. Non-members can pay £1 to become a member and make their choice. Selection can also be made online at member.coop.co.uk/cause/91234.

As a registered charity, the Trust, a heritage and education charity, relies on donations to help it carry out its vital work. It costs the trust £15,000 to run 10 museums every day. This includes the conservation and restoration of its collections, as well as the implementation of educational and training programs. All proceeds from this initiative will go towards creating the Sunflower Room.

Posted by Sarah Watson, Contributor