Central Co-op champions Yorkshire sustainability initiatives this Great Big Green Week

Posted by lauryn mellor | Published: 13/06/2024

Central Co-op is proud to participate in the Great Big Green Week 2024, the UK’s largest celebration of community action to combat climate change and protect nature. This year’s theme of "swaps," highlights everyday changes that contribute to a safer, greener future and calls on politicians to join these efforts.

Central Co-op and its Membership & Community Council has been at the forefront of community sustainability initiatives across Yorkshire, demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Collaborations with local partners exemplify the collective effort required to tackle climate change.

Central Co-op work closely with numerous partners across Yorkshire, including both local climate action and youth groups, notable initiatives include:

• Riverholme: Central Co-op team members have supported tree planting, river clean-ups and pathway maintenance, as well as attending various events at Cinderhills.
• fair&funky: As a long-standing partner, Central Co-op has funded workshops on topics like "scrap that plastic" and climate change. fair&funky has also facilitated school workshops, library activities and inter-generational events in Dodworth and Barnsley - empowering people to take small steps towards global sustainability.
• Wooldale Allotment Association: The Society rents pitches to the Wooldale Allotment Association behind the former Wooldale Co-op bakehouse. A partnership which has flourished, with Central Co-op providing funds to develop the gardens, build raised beds, create pathways and host community workshops.
• New Mill community garden: the local retailer has supported the community garden in New Mill for years, resulting in raised flower beds, a well-used pagoda, the festival of light and lantern parade, and an annual Family Fun Day every August. Last year’s event saw over 120 guardians and children enjoying a Central Co-op picnic, as well as activities including bird box making and plant identification.
• Shepley Pre-school and Dodworth library: Central Co-op has assisted Shepley Pre-school with environmental projects that promote outdoor learning. While in Dodworth, the Society is engaging the community to support a local garden at the store, featuring a seating area for relaxation.
• Growing works: Central Co-op recently donated over £1,000 to Growing Works, a mental health and wellbeing charity in Dalton. This funding supports therapeutic outdoor activities, such as the Bud sessions, which provide social and therapeutic gardening experiences for adults. One participant shared, "I used to feel very lonely, but since coming to Growing Works, my mental health has significantly improved. I've developed social and life skills, especially in cooking, enabling me to prepare homemade healthy food."

Tanya Noon, Member & Community Relations Officer, said, "Great Big Green Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the positive environmental impact of community action. We are proud of our partnerships and initiatives across Yorkshire that promote sustainability and well-being. Together, we can inspire others to make small changes for a big impact."

For more information on The Great Big Green Week, visit https://greatbiggreenweek.com/. For more on Central Co-op’s sustainable initiatives, visit centralcoop.co.uk/funeralcare/ or find out more on socials. Details on becoming a Member can be found on Members.coop.

ENDS

For press information
Press Office
pressoffice@centralcoop.co.uk

Lauryn Mellor, PR and Media Specialist at Central Co-op
lauryn.mellor@centralcoop.co.uk
07385 048004