Our Inspiring Co-operative Events

I’d like to dedicate my blog this week to two really inspiring events which make me feel particularly proud to be the CEO of Midcounties – our Young Co-operators Conference held at Chateau Impney on Monday and our Co-operative Difference Event held at Cheltenham Race Course on Tuesday. For me both events really validate the decision we took a couple of years ago to change from supporting high profile national charities to our 20 Regional Communities and the work they are doing in our local communities.

 

Young Co-operators Conference

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend this event in person but I’ve had really good feedback on the day from both the organisers and the pupils and Head Teachers taking part. The event attracted over 80 pupils from 7 partner schools across our trading and focussed on the theme of protecting our planet.

During the morning pupils took part in outdoor challenges put on by our partners the Outward Bound Trust. These ranged from ‘Robot Wars’ to ‘Walking the A Frame’ and taught them about decision making, co-ordination and above all, team work. The Head Teachers remained safely inside and received a series of presentations including updates on our Sustainable Communities work and our food transparency partnership with Happerley.

 

 

Walking the A Frame with pupils from Bishops Castle School

 

At lunch time there was a really motivational speech from Cal Major, a young vet who is a passionate Ocean Advocate and the founder of “Paddle against Plastic”. This year Cal paddle boarded the length of Britain paddling over 800 miles of ocean and 200 miles of canals to highlight the problem of plastic pollution. During her epic trip she was often reduced to tears about the amount of plastic waste she found along our beaches and canals including over 500 pieces of plastic in a single mile along Wigan canal. Cal talked to the pupils and Head Teachers about simple things we can all do to cut down on the amount of plastic entering our seas and rivers such as not flushing plastic cotton buds down the toilet. We will be keeping in touch with Cal about future events

 

 

Cal Major the founder of Paddle against Plastic

 

Afterwards the pupils all designed their own 'Popgram' poster highlighting the effects of plastic pollution on the environment and made plastic pledges about what actions they will take to reduce the use of plastics in their lives. You can see some of their creative designs below.

 

 

 

Co-operative Difference Event

This event was a real celebration of the Co-operative Difference and was the first time we have gathered together so many of our charity partners to talk about the work of the Society, our Connected Future and how we can work together to help their local communities. It was attended by so many inspiring groups and individuals such as Vicar Martin Davis from Kidlington Community Hub who with Midcounties support provides pre-school children's services in Kidlington following the council withdrawing funding.

 

 

Vicar Martin Davis from Kidlington is now providing pre-school services with Midcounties support.

 

During the morning the charities and good causes received the GO MAD training, a package we provide to all our managers, to help them take action and measure results. During the afternoon there were talks about our Sustainable Communities work across the south of our trading area including our charity work in different Regional Communities and our Fun Days. For me the most moving talk was when Jane Dyer, the Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Gloucestershire Young Carers, interviewed two young carers Cait and Pip on the stage.  Both have had big challenges in their lives including looking after very ill parents at home. Being part of Gloucestershire Young Carers has given them respite from caring and helped them make the most of their education, a shining example of the Co-operative Difference in action. Pip wants to work in communications and our Communications Manager Nick Milton will be arranging for her to get some work experience with the Society.

 

Jane Dyer from Gloucestershire Young Carers interviewing Cait and Pip

 

The day ended on a real high with me presenting our Colleague Community Awards to colleagues who have made a real difference in their local communities and encompass the Co-operative Difference.  Congratulations to all our worthy winners - Richard Byett our Gloucester Funerals Area Manager, Chelsea Hurt from our Maidenhead Co-operate Childcare Nursery, Kerry Fifield from our Thame Co-operative Travel branch, Alan Cratchley from our Valley Road Co-operative Food Store, Simon Lewis from our Stonehouse Post Office, Katie Jones from Lydney Co-operative Healthcare, Gemma White from the Phone Coop and Michelle Fitzgerald Rewards and Benefits Advisor at Co-operative House.

Both these events would not have been possible without the hard work of lots of colleagues but I’d particularly like to thank the organisers Marnie Richards, Young People Engagement Co-ordinator and Mike Pickering, our CSR Manager. Next Tuesday there will be another Co-operative Difference Event in Wolverhampton covering the north of our trading area so watch out for a report back from that on Colleagues Connect next week.

Richard Byett, Gloucester Funerals Area Manager, receiving his award

 

That’s it for this week’s blog, please let me know if you’ve got any thoughts on what I've been up to. I’m sure you all already know what to do if you want to get in touch, simply leave me a comment below. I hope you all have a great week and I look forward to sharing more with you next Friday.