Central Co-op

Merry Christmas to our colleagues, Members and customers 🌟 From the11th of Nov to the 6th of Dec, 50 of our Central Co-op stores opened their doors for our annual Christmas Toy Appeal. This year, we took the festive cheer to the next level with our Toy Appeal van, which traveled across the UK collecting brand new toys, games and gifts to make Christmas morning magical for children in who would otherwise go without. The response has been incredible – together, we’ve gathered over 3,500 toys! 🎉 A huge thank you to everyone who donated, stopped by the van, sampled festive goodies and helped spread Christmas joy. Your generosity will light up so many little faces this Christmas! 🎅  #ThankYou #ChristmasToyAppeal #CommunityKindness #FestiveCheer

The night the lights were lit: "21 December in 1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened a small store in England with five items and little fanfare. Thus humbly began the modern co-operative movement. Let’s step back into that time to get a sense of how co-operative history was made." On the 180th anniversary of the UK co-op movement, David J. Thompson tells a co-op Christmas story that has impacted the whole world: https://lnkd.in/ey_mKSj5

To mark 180 years of co-operation, we’ve worked in collaboration with leading UK Co-ops to launch an innovative new Fund for International Co-operative Development (FICD)💚 The new fund will provide financial support and expertise to co-operatives globally, help communities rebuild after crises, foster peace, and create sustainable economies. As our CEO, Debbie Robinson, highlights: “The creation of a Fund for International Co-operative Development represents an exciting opportunity to grow the Co-op economy on an international scale. Together, as co-operators, we can work to find co-operative solutions to global challenges. By supporting new co-operatives through Co-op to Co-op trade, the Fund will encourage economic participation, building resilience in Co-ops and helping to address Food security challenges through greater access to safe and nutritious food.”   Learn more about the fund and its impact here: https://lnkd.in/gnNqncrv

🌟 Are you seeking a new challenge in Procurement for 2025? 🌟 An exciting opportunity awaits for a Procurement Manager to join our team, primarily focusing on supporting our IT function. ✅ We are in search of an individual skilled in project management and adept at managing stakeholder relationships. ✅ Ideally, candidates should possess over 3 years of demonstrable experience in procurement, including working with data and procurement systems. To learn more and apply, please visit: https://www.careers.coop/ #Procurement #NewOpportunity #ITFunction #ProjectManagement #StakeholderRelations #HybridWorking

In partnership with The Lovely Gift Group Ltd, we've launched our new website for memorialisation gifts 🎁 The website brings an extensive collection of thoughtful and personal keepsakes, helping families to cherish the memories of their loved ones in meaningful ways. We're thrilled to be the first funeral business to offer a fully transactional online platform for such products. Visit our website to explore the full range and find the perfect tribute to your loved ones: https://lnkd.in/dgWkmBz8 #Memorialisation #MemorialisationGifts #FuneralBusiness

Earlier this month we were very excited to announce the reopening of our Wildwood store in Stafford following a major regeneration project which left local shoppers saying WOW! 🌟 🛒 Updated signage, InPost lockers, energy-efficient fridges and a free-to-book community room make the store more accessible, sustainable and convenient for all our Members and shoppers. Complete with our new "Pets Corner", an Insomnia cafe, revamped food-to-go area and much more. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our amazing colleagues and partners - a huge thank you to all of you for helping us bring this vision to life! 👏 We’re very excited to continue serving the community in Wildwood with a new and improved shopping environment. Why not come see the transformation for yourself?! #RetailRegen #CommunityStore #LocalInvestment

📢 We completed the Youth Employment UK Good Youth Employment Benchmark! 🌟 This robust and thorough process challenges employers to rethink their youth employment strategies and is a testament to our commitment to young people. As members of Youth Employment UK, we’re proud to stand alongside those driving change in youth employment. 👏 Here’s to celebrating success and continuing to raise the bar! #YouthEmploymentUK #CreatingOpportunities #GYEBenchmark

Our Loss Prevention Team recently teamed up with Stuart Toogood, the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner’s Offender to Rehab Programme, and Keeley & Dan - two inspiring individuals who’ve turned their lives around through the programme - at our Kings Norton and West Heath Rd stores. Keeley and Dan shared valuable insights from their past, highlighting what attracted them to stores and what deters theft. Together, the teams reviewed our store layouts and security measures, and offered valuable advice on how we can strengthen our efforts to prevent retail crime. Their feedback was invaluable, and we’re grateful for their honesty and expertise. This partnership with the Offender to Rehab programme is a testament to our commitment to tackling crime at its roots - addressing addiction, vulnerability and the societal factors that contribute to offending. By working with local initiatives like this, we’re not only protecting our stores but also supporting a safer and stronger community. 👏 A huge thank you to Keeley, Dan, Stuart, and the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner’s team, as well as our Loss Prevention Team, for their dedication to making a difference 💚 #CommunitySupport #RetailCrime #CrimePrevention #OffenderToRehab

This week we've launched a three-month trial partnership with Grounded Therapy, an innovative digital mental health platform designed by qualified psychotherapists. 🧠 This initiative aims to provide enhanced mental health and wellbeing support exclusively for our funeral colleagues, who work in unique and emotionally demanding roles. The partnership was developed with valuable input from funeral colleagues and our Wellbeing Champions to ensure it directly addresses the challenges faced by those in these roles. Earlier this year, we launched our We’ve Got You campaign, which focuses on making wellbeing support accessible when colleagues need it most. Grounded is the latest initiative under this banner, reflecting Central Co-op’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. #MentalHealth #Therapy #FuneralIndustry #MentalHealthMatters

At Central Co-op, we believe in the power of co-operatives to transform lives and build resilient communities. 🌍 This month, our CEO, Debbie Robinson represented Central Co-op and the UK co-operative movement at the International Co-operative Alliance Global Conference in New Delhi. Debbie joined a powerhouse panel, “Resilience as a Response: Case Studies in Hardship Management by Co-operatives,” who shared insights into how co-operatives can weather challenges and drive sustainable development. 📈 Alongside esteemed panellists from Japan, India, the Philippines, and Sweden, Debbie highlighted how Central Co-op champions resilience through community-driven innovation and Member ownership. In addition to the panel, Debbie took part in exciting discussions about the upcoming International Co-operative Development Fund (ICDF), a new initiative set to support co-ops in times of crisis, foster post-conflict development, and grow co-operative economies globally. 💚 There's plenty more to come on the ICDF, so keep your eyes peeled on our socials for more... #ICAGlobalConference #Cooperatives #CooperativeGrowth