Co-op community events returning as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions begin to ease
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 18/08/2021
Central England Co-op has announced a series of community events during the coming months following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
After nearly 18 months without being able to interact with members and people from across the 16 counties where it trades in person, the membership and community arm of the retailer has now outlined a range of activities that will be taking place over the summer and autumn.
Bike repairs to outdoor gyms are just some of the events that will be supported by the Society in a Covid-19 safe way.
During the pandemic, the teams have been taking to online events and meetings in an effort to keep communities connected and safe from isolation and loneliness. This included everything from arts classes for OAPs to healthy choices workshops for schoolchildren.
James Knight, Member and Community Relations Officer, said: “We have been working hard during the pandemic to make sure we stay connected with our members and communities.
“We have moved member classes online or outdoors, trying every way to keep those vital community connections going during tough times.
“Now, with restrictions easing, we are stepping back out in to our communities as the world starts to return to normal.
“However, we do want to reassure people that everything we do is well planned and all manner of safety measures are being undertaken in light of the remaining impact that Covid-19 is having on our lives.
“We cannot wait to be back out in our communities once again in a safe and secure manner.”
Full details about the events taking place can be found online at Membership Matters
To become a member of Central England Co-op, visit https://bit.ly/3xqxI5m
Notes to editors
Below is a round-up of events taking place via region:
Eastern region:
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 August - Wells Community Hospital open garden event. Refreshments and mental health yoga will be on offer.
Wednesday 29 September - Careers Fair at Bourne Grammar School.
Northern Region:
Thursday 19 August – Community Event at New Mill Community Garden including family picnic, bird box making and activities.
Saturday 21 August at Horsley Woodhouse Picnic in the Park.
Friday 20 August– Bike Event at Grangewood Food Store, Chesterfield.
Sunday 22 August – Chesterfield Pride.
Tuesday, 31 August - Senior Members’ Gathering.
Friday, 10 September – Suicide Prevention Day – running a creative arts project with the charity Will Garvey Trust Foundation.
Southern Region
Monday 26 July to Thursday 19 August – MCC and store colleagues supporting St Matthews Big Local with making up packed lunches for holiday hunger activities.
Saturday 21 August – Quorn Festival – promoting membership and healthy fruit kebabs.
Saturday 4 September – Supporting Leicester Pride with march from City Centre to Victoria Park.
Western region:
Throughout August - Healthy Choices Workshops will be taking place at schools across the West Midlands.
Thursday 26 August - Dr Bike session with the Birmingham Bike Foundry at Cotteridge food store.
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September - Lichfield Community Games.
Friday 17 to Sunday 19 September - Brumfest.
Saturday 25 September - Birmingham Pride.
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK with interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.
Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its over 7,800 colleagues serve customers across 400 plus trading sites in 16 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Its purpose is to inspire communities to create a sustainable Society for all.
It actively campaigns for the Government to increase sentencing for violent attacks on retail workers and works with FareShare Midlands and hundreds of food banks, generating enough food donations to create over 2.1 million meals for people in need.
The Society embraces inclusivity and equality and is a signed-up member to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter, while it is also fully committed to addressing the impact of climate change and is on track to be Carbon Neutral by 2030.
It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which has seen over £175,000 shared out between 116 good causes over the past 12 months.
Central England Co-op was named Leading Co-op of the Year by Co-operatives UK in 2021.
Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle
Phone - 01543 421390
Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop