Co-op News - February 2020

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AWARD Co-op of the Year 2020: It’s time to submit your nominations Nominations are open for the Co-op of the Year Awards 2020, with the winners announced on 19 June as part of the Festival of Co-operation. The awards, organised by Co-operatives UK, will see three prizes for co-ops based on turnover, an award for the co-op council of the year, and several individual awards presented to people who have helped shape the co-operative movement. The awards will be presented at Rochdale Town Hall, during a celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Rochdale Pioneers and the 150th anniversary of Co-operatives UK. For the first time, the winners will be chosen through a combination of judges scores and a public vote – while several individual Co-operator of the Year Awards will be selected by the judges alone. “Last year’s Co-operator of the Year Awards were so popular that we’re p The winners of the 2019 awards celebrate planning to hand out several individual awards, honouring an inspirational group of people who embody the co-operative values,” said Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-operatives UK. “It doesn’t matter at what stage you are in your co-operative career, we’re expecting to see a diverse range of awards.” In a new move for 2020, the judging panel will include up to six Co-operatives UK members “The judges will have the power to select the people and co-ops that they feel are deserving of an award from those nominated, which will be combined with a public vote to ultimately choose the winners,” said Mr Mayo. The awards, sponsored for the second year running by the Co-op Bank, are free to enter and open to all Co-operatives UK members. The closing date to apply for the judging panel is 30 March and the closing date to nominate a co-op, co-op council or individual co-operator is 20 April 2020. u For more information on the awards, visit uk.coop/COTY CO-OP FORTNIGHT Join a co-op: Movement’s call for 2020 For this year’s Co-op Fortnight (22 June-5J July) apex body Co-operatives UK is encouraging people across the country to join a co-op. Coordinated by Co-operative UK, the Fortnight aims to raise awareness about the co-operative business model. This year the campaign will be looking to recruit new co-operators. Wendy Carter, head of communications and marketing, said: “Co-ops are so diverse, but the one thing that binds us all together is that we all have members who have a say in how our organisations are run. This Co-op Fortnight we’re shining a spotlight on who our members are and why they join co-ops, with a strong call to action to encourage more people to join a co-op.” Co-operatives UK is calling on co-ops and other organisations to start planning membership recruitment and engagement activities for the two-week summer campaign. It is also offering free promotional resources to its members, including stickers, posters, a campaign video, template press releases and images for social media. Co-ops can also take it to social media using the hashtag #JoinACoop CRIME Retail society offers offender rehab Shoplifters are being given the chance to turn their lives around through a scheme supported by Central England Co-operative. In attempt to tackle shoplifting the retailer has teamed up with West Midlands Police to help offenders rehabilitate by addressing their addictions. Among the first to benefit were James Kelly and Paul Brookes who joined the Offender to Rehab programme after years of prison sentences. Between them, the two carried out nearly 200 known offences, including shoplifting to sustain their heroin and crack cocaine addictions. Under the recommendation of PC Stuart Toogood, from Erdington Neighbourhood team, they were admitted into Livingstone House, a residential drug rehab programme in Small Heath. In addition to making a financial donation to support the scheme, the Central England Co-op is providing mentorship to those admitted, helping them with their CVs and encouraging them to look for education opportunities. The society has introduced several measures to tackle crime, which led to a 30% reduction in robberies during the past two years, including product GPS trackers, additional ATM anchors, gas suppression systems and stringent cash controls. Central England is now talking with several other police forces covering across its trading region – including Staffordshire Police – about implementation and support for similar schemes. 10 | FEBRUARY 2020
Southern Co-op to stock specialist tea range with a mission pSouthern Co-op helps Society of St James launch its new Pay It Forward initiative RETAIL Southern Co-op puts £100k into new scheme to prevent knife crime The Southern Co-op is intensifying its efforts to tackle knife violence with a new fund to support prevention initiatives. The Safer Neighbourhood Fund builds on the society’s work to tackle crime from every angle including causes, prevention, reporting and justice. The retailer has identified five areas which would benefit from community programmes – Portsmouth, Southampton, South London, Bournemouth and Bristol. It has called for funding applications from local charities that are delivering innovative programmes to help residents to build a secure future and reduce offending. This can include tackling the underlying causes of offending behaviours, increasing opportunities for employability skill development, and overcoming specific, practical and personal barriers. Gareth Lewis, Southern’s loss prevention and security manager, said: “We commit a lot of time and money to protecting our colleagues and customers from violent offenders but the stark reality is, it’s getting worse. Every retailer is affected and we’ve personally seen a 69% increase in crime across our estate from 2018-2019. “Our colleagues deserve to work in a safe environment free from harm and the fear of harm. We hope this new funding will be a step towards achieving this.” Southern has also partnered with the Hampshire-based homelessness charity, Society of St James, which helps those facing multiple disadvantages such as homelessness, poverty and/or substance misuse. The Southern Co-operative is adding a new specialist tea range, which is supplied in biodegradable and plastic-free teabags. The tea is provided by Nemi Teas, a London-based social enterprise, which provides employment and leadership opportunities for refugees. The enterprise allocates 20% of its budget towards the hiring, training and upskilling of the refugees. Channel Islands Co-op joins green project for its centenary Volunteers from Channel Islands Co-op have planted 1,233 trees and shrubs as part of the society’s centenary celebrations. The project is part of Jersey Trees for Life, an attempt to create a living corridor around the island. The society planted 100 trees and hedgerow whips, to celebrate its centenary, paid for by a £1,000 donation from the co-op’s 2019 Eco fund. New store opening for Midcounties Co-operative Midcounties Co-op opens a new Your Co-op Food store in Southmoor, near Abingdon, Oxon, on 6 February. The society says the new store will sourcing more than 260 locally sourced products and create 15 new jobs, following a £620,000 investment. Eco-friendly features include plastic waste recycling bins, compostable carrier bags and energy-efficient fridges. NHS Credit Union sets 10-year record with its divi Last month, more than 18,500 NHS Credit Union members received their highest ever dividend payment in a decade, set at 1.5%. This is the sixth year in succession the dividend payment has risen – taking it to its highest figure in 11 years, with the total sum paid out to members totalling more than £200,000. Lincolnshire gets green light for new store development Fifteen jobs are to be created at a new Lincolnshire Co-op store after the local authority granted planning approval. The society says the new shop, in Keelby, near Grimsby, will open in early 2021, and will include a 25 space car park. Grocering will include the Love Local range, which features goods sourced from our area. FEBRUARY 2020 | 11
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Co-op News - February 2020

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