Southern

Members swap Keep Fit Classes for Walking

Members from our Keep Fit Group have not only been missing their weekly classes - they have been missing each other!  During the lock-down they had been staying in touch by creating a Whatsapp Group to share photographs of gardens, weekly quizzes and riddles and stories etc.  They were missing

TREATS FOR THE ANIMALS AT THE ARK

The Northern Membership & Community Council (MCC) during the Covid-19 period wanted to help the Ashbourne Animal Welfare Centre (ARK) near Ashbourne, Derbyshire as like many organisations they would be struggling for funds during this difficult time. Wanda, a trustee, from the organisation, said: “It was a wonderful surprise to

Northern

Tai Chi in the park

Since the lockdown our member groups have found it hard to keep in touch. They have set up WhatsApp groups and met via Zoom and other social media links, but it has not been the same and not all members can access social media. Our Tai Chi group who normally

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Virtual support of the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline charity

As the annual visit of young people from Belarus was cancelled due to Covid, the Northern MCC made a decision to provide a donation instead to enable the Chernobyl Children Lifeline in Pinxton, Derbyshire to raise funds for next year. This included a £1,000 donation and £300 in Co-op

Southern

Co-op Members raise funds for Dementia UK

Creative members of Central England Co-op in Leicestershire have been busy doing their bit to help keep customers and colleagues safe while also raising vital funds for charity. They have designed homemade face coverings that have gone on sale in two local Central England Co-op food stores to raise money

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New Hygiene Bank - Market Harborough

In my previous blog I talked about the new Hygiene Bank that the Southern Membership & Community Council recently supported by donating vouchers and here is what Judy, one of the volunteers, had to say:- "I thought I'd let you see what an amazing gift the

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Lutterworth Watercolour Artists' Co-operative

The latest challenge set for members of our Lutterworth Watercolour Artists' Co-operative was famous people and I particularly like the fun that one of the members had with the Mona Lisa.  Below are some more images that really do capture the expertise and skills of the members.

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Southern MCC support Kettering Mind Crisis Cafe

Andrea, our MCC member went to Kettering Mind to hand over some vouchers which had been donated by the council to support the cafe during these difficult times. Here is what Andrea had to say:- "It’s a great place –  it has meeting rooms, a café, a craft

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Campaigning - how to deal with violence against shopworkers

At a meeting of the Notts, Lincs & Erewash Co-operative Party meeting held on 28th July, members were able to engage on how to deal with violence against shopworkers. Speakers included Alex Norris MP (Labour & Co-operative MP for Nottingham North and a leading parliamentary voice for the Party on

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Southern MCC Support Holiday Hunger Projects

Three Leicester projects running programmes this summer to support children impacted by holiday hunger have been boosted with funding from the Southern Membership & Community Council to help them give healthy lunches to youngsters over the school holidays. Christ the King Foodbank in Beaumont Leys, Mosaic Church in the West

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Co-op Band features on East Midlands Today News

Our acclaimed Leicestershire Co-operative Brass Band created a special performance to bring some joy during lock-down.  The Band put together a video recording of the Lou Read classic "Perfect Day" with each member performing their parts from home. It's a great way for the band to

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Store/MCC support re-opening of Markfield Library

Team Leader and Vice Chair of the Southern MCC, Elaine Rowley, jumped into action when she heard about the re-opening of the Markfield Library which is close to our Store.  Following an enquiry from the local Parish Council seeking advice on how we put our safety measures in place in

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Southern MCC welcomes new member

The Southern MCC are really pleased to welcome our latest new member, Nutan Modi. Nutan lives in Leicester and we asked her why she wanted to get involved and here is what she had to say:- "I remember as a teenager, attending commerce lessons at school and a

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Supporting Soldiers in Leicester

Soldiers who have recently been tasked with carrying out Covid19 tests for the local community at a dedicated site close to our Rowlatts Hill Store had a lovely surprise when they visited our store today for their lunch.  The Soldiers have been coming in everyday to buy lunch and Liz

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Food Bank collection in Barnby Dun

We have partnered with Doncaster Food Bank to provide a food bank collection service at our new store in Barnby Dun.  We work with a number of food banks across our trading area to provide this vital service and to assist financial throughout the year from Holiday Hunger campaigns to

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New Store at Barnby Dun, Doncaster

It was great to visit the new store at Barnby Dun in Doncaster.  A pub conversion to a community store, which included seating area, free water dispenser, instore phone charging and seating plus electric car charging in the car park.  Neil the Manager welcomed myself and President, Elaine Dean.  The

Southern

New Hygiene Bank in Market Harborough

When the Southern Membership & Community Council heard about a new Hygiene Bank being set up in Market Harborough, they were very pleased to donate some vouchers to support with the early set up. The Hygiene Bank is a national organisation, run by volunteers, that recognises that people can be

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Rounding Up Co-op Fortnight in 2020

It's no surprise to any of us that this year has certainly tested us but the Southern Membership & Council and I have been humbled by the co-operative spirit of our member groups and tutors and as  Co-op Fortnight draws to an end we wanted to reflect on

Western

Our Stores have talent

On day 13 of Coop Fortnight and International Co-op Day I want to tell you how stores in our West 1 group have come together during the fortnight to co-operate in some fun videos in the first ever 'West 1's got Talent'. The group of stores

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Co-operation in Lichfield to Deliver Food

Today on day 12 of Co-op Fortnight we celebrate a wonderful project that came about of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In Lichfield we teamed up with Lichfield District Council to ensure that local vulnerable people were able to access shopping and have it delivered. Today, the Community Delivery Hub in Lichfield

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Beautiful Images from the Lutterworth Photographic Society Co-operative

Members from our Lutterworth Photographic Society have been keeping themselves busy and testing their photographic skills by running two competitions on set themes. The images show the top three best images for Snow & Ice and Garden Flowers. Well done to our very talented members and thank you for all

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Watch how Valley Beats Samba Band has managed to keep connected during lockdown.

Valley Beats Samba Band is supported by the Yorkshire Cluster Group of the Membership & Community Council.  The band members are usually out and about attending events and meeting up to practice.  However, during the lock down they have managed to put a few films together which have been put

Western

More Good Deeds from the Western MCC

Its day 11 of Coop Fortnight and today I delivered food to two groups in Birmingham who are supporting local people during this Covid-19 Pandemic. The first group is a newly formed Covid-19 support group helping vulnerable in Chelmsley Wood. the group are working closely with the local authority who

Elected Members Meet Online

On day 10 of Coop Fortnight, I want to tell you all about our wonderful elected Western Membership and Community Council (MCC). The members that make up this group are independently elected to to serve as a link between their community and Central England Co-operative. The MCC support our initiatives

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Food banks thank our colleagues for their quick response

The Northern MCC  donated £2,000 to help two good causes in Derbyshire and Nottingham supporting people in need The Northern MCC has supported food banks in a number of ways for many years, but just recently they have responded to emergency demands from both Hope Nottingham and Salcare in