Children from the Hasland School visits the local store to learn about shopping on a budget.  The students were put in groups and given a task of finding food for 4 adults for breakfast, lunch and evening meal on a budget of £20.   They were not allowed any pre-packed food,

School children from Hasland School took advantage of the Healthy Choices workshop.  Students were able to learn about healthy eating, 5 a day, portion sizes and labelling.  They were able to look at the packaging and identify the traffic light system and understand how ingredients are measured.  The session were

A joint project with the Willington Arts to celebrate Co-operative Fortnight was to get the community to paint a picture of their village.  The art work was in four panels and customers and members were asked to paint a bit each time they shopped.  Our display team, Sophie, assisted with

Another example of work by a member of the Shepley Creative Writing Group. Vicky quoted "At the age of 61 and a dispenser at my local pharmacy, I recently joined a creative writing course in the village which I am really enjoying, I wish I had done this earlier,

The Creative Writing Group meet in the Shepley Library and the members have successfully had many articles printed.  One member, Carol Warham had her first book published last year.  We wanted to share with you a poem by Tasker Dunham, which i am sure you will enjoy. A SILLY CHRISTMAS

Thanks to fairandfunky for delivery another brilliant day.  With over 60 Year 2 children at Birkby Infants they created sea creatures from single use plastics and shared little ways to look after the planet. What do you do with your rubbish? How can you reduce your waste?#ReUse [https://twitter.

Tom and Carol from the Yorkshire Member & Community Council were delighted to supported the Shepley Christmas Fair with Co-op tastings.  Everyone was so impressed with the range of products and the quality.  It was such a success that next year we will provide more samples, especially the gluten free

With the run up to Christmas a Wellbeing Day was held in Belper to give people some advice and support so that they can enjoy their Christmas.  The Membership & Community Council talked to customers about portion sizes and sugar and gave tastings of products that in moderation can make

Together with the Dodworth Co-op Store, the Yorkshire Member & Community Council again supported the Festival of Light event.  Due to the cold weather we were able to go inside the Central Club and warm people up with the mulled wine and mince pies.  The event attracted a number of

Calow Lights Up! The Membership & Community Council, together with the new Co-op store in Calow, were delighted to support the Calow Light Festival on 4th December.  Support was given towards the workshops for lantern making and some products for a hamper and tastings.  Kaye and Lyn who organised the

The Northern Membership & Community Council offer members a number of classes to attend across its region.  From the Painting Group and Afternoon Group in Chesterfield, the Dance group in Eastwood, Tai chi class in Ilkeston and Keep Fit and Craft in Derby to name a few.  If you are

A joint event with the WEA (Workers' Education Association) and Co-operative Wealth (investments co-op) was a great way to enable people to have a greater understanding of pensions and planning for the future.  Stuart Mann from Co-operative Wealth gave an overview and answered questions relating to pensions.  If members

Children at Greenwood Primary School near Kirkby in Ashfield, enjoyed a fun session learning about healthy choices.  The children were able to look at packaging and identify the meaning of the traffic light system, understand best before and use by dates, portion sizes and food waste.  The children particularly enjoy

Food and Finance Justice – Co-operative Solutions by Tanya Noon. Central England Co-operative hosted a Conference to bring a number of organisations working together from foodbanks, credit unions, and local authorities to look at the issues around food and finance justice. The event was opened by the Society’s President, Elaine

An evening of getting to know members in the Beeston area included the President, Elaine Dean and Secretary, Jim Watts giving an overview of the financial results and the focus of the Society in the future.  A new store is to open in Beeston in early 2020 and it was

The Northern Membership & Community Council (MCC) gave reports to members on the events and activities over the last six months.  Thanks to the council members who also assisted at the members' meetings to meet and greet members.  Speakers at the events included: Tiger Project which uses material to

It has been a pleasure promoting fairtrade over the years and as we celebrate the 25th anniversary, i wanted to share the many events we have supported.  From cooking events using fairtrade ingredients, quiz nights, a cycle ride when we celebrated 10 years of fairtrade, children's workshops, special

Elaine Dean, President acted as courier for members from Derby on their educational visit to Hereford. She has blogged the following: "A small city in a rural county but rich in heritage. Its huge medieval cathedral houses a copy of the 1217 Magna Carta (updated version) an original Mappa

Members from all the Membership & Community Councils visited the Birthplace of Robert Owen in Newtown, Mid Wales.  Robert Owen was a true visionary and a pioneer of socialism and inspired the co-operative and trade union movements.  Council members gain hands on experience to enable them to have a better

It was a pleasure to attend the re-dedication service to celebrate the refurbished funeral home in Chaddesden.  The Community Poem written by Jacqui Alexander was a brilliant way to highlight how local people make a real difference and how the Co-op provides that caring and helpful support.

The Northern Membership & Community Council supported the new store opening at Langley Park nr Mackworth.  It was a great opportunity to talk to new customers about the benefits of membership and how they can have a say in the democratic process.

fairandfunky delivered a workshop to students at Keresforth Primary School.  The students discovered all about plastics, what happens to our waste and how we can all take steps to Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle rubbish.  The students created some amazing artwork in their Ditch the Plastic workshops.  The workshops were

The Northern Membership & Community Council had the privilege of working with Ashbourne Lodge Care Home and Hilltop School to bring different generations together to learn from each other. The children and adults prepared vegetables together to make soup, then they made some cake mixture.  The children sang some nursery

The Membership & Community Council enjoyed their time at the Tapton Lock Festival in Chesterfield.  From rides on the canal to greater understanding about the Bee, plastics or healthy and wellbeing, there were stands to address all these issues.  The event provided great opportunities to have deep dialogue with people

Member & Community Relations Officer Tanya Noon attended the Tackling County Lines and Vulnerability in Partnership Conference held at Post Mill Centre, South Normanton. Speakers included: Hardyal Dhindsa, Police and Crime Commissioner; Peter Goodman, Derbyshire Chief Constable, The Rt Revd Libby Lane, Detective Inspector Stuart Liddell, Detective Inspector Emma Nealon,