AUGUST 2018

Meet the 2018 Co-operatives of the Year
The winners of the 2018 Co-operative of the Year
awards were announced in London on 23 June, as
part of the sector’s annual Co-operative Congress.
Organised by apex body Co-operatives UK
and sponsored by the Co-operative Councils
Innovation Network (CCIN), this year’s awards
included categories for co-ops of different sizes
and, for the first time, a category recognising the
work of Co-operative Councils. Over 33,000 votes
were cast in total.
The Breakthrough Co-operative of the Year
Award (for co-ops with a turnover of up to £1m) was
won by The Service, a London-based production
company that brings together like-minded
production creatives with a love for social impact,
the arts and creative collaboration. Their film,
Amina’s Story, was nominated for a One World
Media film award and the organisation has also
been nominated for a Charity Film Award 2018 for
its Miscarriage Association film.
Louise Stevens, creative director of The Service
said this was the first award they have won that
“recognises our work as a co-op, as well as our
creative approach to doing businesses”
“We are totally thrilled by this and incredibly
proud to be a part of the co-operative movement,”
she added.
Inspiring Co-operative of the Year (for co-ops
with a turnover of between £1m and £30m) was
awarded to the Foster Care Co-operative (FCC) –
the only not-for-profit co-operative operating in
foster care in the UK.
FCC ploughs surplus income into more training
and support for carers, and is participating in
university-led research looking at what barriers
potentially stop disabled people from becoming
foster carers.
FCC also publishes monthly e-safety articles
to help keep young people safe online, and has
developed an interactive section on their website
where the young people they support can safely
log on and take part in competitions, upload
artwork, become a ‘guest reporter’ and contact a
designated staff member (‘KidzRep’) should they
need someone to talk to.
FCC executive director, Ian Brazier, said.
“We are delighted that the hard work, care and
commitment from the foster carers, children and
staff have been recognised through the award
for most Inspiring Co-op. It is a testament to
their dedication in ensuring better outcomes for
children in need of care whilst keeping values
based on Integrity, Ethics, Quality and Cooperation.”
Midcounties Co-operative, the largest
independent co-operative in the UK, received the
Leading Co-operative of the Year award (for co-ops
with a turnover above £30m).
The society has a turnover of £1.5bn and
employs over 8,400 staff working in Food Retail,
Post Office, Travel, Energy, Healthcare, Flexible
Benefits, Funerals and Childcare.
To help build strong local communities
Midcounties has created 20 Regional Communities
which in 2017/18 provided 36,000 colleague
volunteering hours and distributed £260,000
to over 500 good causes. During the past year,
it has also engaged with over 21,000 members,
28 | AUGUST 2018