Colleague News: A message from Debbie, Remembrance & Purple Tuesday
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Published 3 Nov 2026 in Colleagues
In this week’s Colleague News, hear from Debbie, find out how we’re coming together for Remembrance and celebrate inclusion this Purple Tuesday, alongside more updates from across OurCoop.
A message from Debbie...
Dear colleagues,
Some of the most useful ideas come from the things we notice every day: a task that takes longer than it should, something going to waste or a process that could be simpler.
That’s why it’s encouraging to see that we have already received over 50 ideas through OurCoop: Your Idea, with suggestions coming from across our family of businesses. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contribute.
Using our resources wisely helps us deliver greater value for our Members. As we bring greater consistency to how we operate across the Society, we can learn from each other, adopt the approaches that work best and reduce duplication and unnecessary costs. For me, this is an important part of working as one Society: combining our experience to strengthen our businesses and make colleagues’ day-to-day work easier. Your suggestions have an important part to play in this.
One example is the weekly till and safe balance introduced across all Food stores. This simpler process reduces the tasks colleagues need to complete and is expected to save £260,000 a year, while freeing up time to focus on Members and customers.
Perhaps you have spotted a way to reduce waste or save colleagues time. Or you might have an idea to improve a service or make someone’s day a little better. Whatever it is, we would love to hear it. An idea doesn’t need to be complicated to make a difference.
With colder weather arriving, there is also a useful reminder in this week’s OurCoop sustainability top tips about getting winter ready and using heating controls effectively at home. These weekly tips offer practical suggestions that can help us reduce waste and manage everyday costs, so do take a look at the box below.
Thank you for everything you do and please keep your ideas coming. Together, we can turn your suggestions into practical improvements that help colleagues and Members experience our co-operative difference every day.
Debbie
OurCoop Top Tips: Energy Saving - Getting Winter Ready
Using heating controls effectively could save a typical household around £100 a year on energy bills. As the colder weather arrives, make sure you know how your thermostat works, set your heating schedule around your routine so you're not heating an empty home, and keep your home comfortably warm by setting your temperature between 18°C and 21°C.
If you have a sustainability tip that has worked well for you, that you think could inspire colleagues across OurCoop, please send it to Sustainability@midcounties.coop. We'll be looking to feature colleague suggestions as part of future Sustainability Top Tips communications.
Coming together for Remembrance
At 11am on 8 and 11 November, colleagues across OurCoop are invited to join the nationwide two-minute silence, honouring those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars and conflicts around the world since.
We kindly ask all colleagues, wherever you may be, to pause from 11am to 11.02am.
If you have any questions about our Remembrance silence, please speak to your line manager.
#LestWeForget
Change to Colleague Sign-in and Email Addresses
Our new OurCoop digital home is taking shape, marking an exciting milestone in bringing our society together as one organisation.
We’ve changed the name of our central online address from Central Coop to OurCoop. This is where everyone’s work accounts will live, and over the coming months we’ll be moving all colleagues across to this new shared home.
It’s a big step towards becoming one connected team, with one shared identity.
When will my area move?
We’ll be moving Warwick colleagues in stages over the coming months, we’ll contact you before your move with everything you need to know.
Tips for a smooth changeover
- Save any open work and sign out of your devices by 5pm the day before
- Sign in using your new @ourcoop email address the day after moving over - you’ll receive a how to beforehand.
- It may take up to 24 hours for all your emails to appear, and access to applications during this change will be interrupted intermittently.
Need a hand?
If something doesn’t look right after your move, contact the relevant support team:
OurCoop Support Centre, Lichfield, assistance is available through the Lichfield Service Desk on 01543 225050 or via the IT Portal: Ivanti Portal
For colleagues supported by the OurCoop Support Centre, Leamington, please log a case using Service Now: ServiceNow Portal.
Service Desk Hours
- Monday to Saturday: 06:00 to 19:00
- Sunday: 08:00 to 17:00
November Wellbeing Newsletter
Our November Wellbeing Supporter Newsletter is here, with Steph Braisby Operations Manager for Coop Holidays and Wellbeing Supporter, as this month’s editor.
Read the November wellbeing update here
Inside, you’ll find a focus on:
Andropause Awareness – International Men’s Day falls on 19 November, so we’re sharing some of the physical and emotional changes associated with ageing and men’s health
International Stress Awareness Week – 2-6 November
Anti-Bullying Week – 16-20 November, with this year’s theme ‘Break the Silence’
Steph also shares the importance of prioritising men’s health, breaking down barriers around asking for support, and encouraging open conversations about wellbeing, stress and bullying.
Men’s Voices 2026 – Wednesday 18 November
OurCoop Men’s Voices is an annual event held during International Men’s Day week, creating a welcoming space for connection, conversation and support around men’s mental health and wellbeing.
This year’s in-person Men’s Voices event at the OurCoop County Cricket Ground in Derby. It will bring colleagues together for interactive workshops, inspirational talks and mindfulness activities focused on wellbeing, including a session with Chris, Midlands Lead for Andy’s Man Club.
Book your place here (limited spaces available).
Men’s Mental Health workshop with MIND
You can still join in online at Men’s Mental Health workshop with MIND – Wednesday 25 November, 6–7pm
If you missed out on a place at Men’s Voices, you can still get involved by joining our Men’s Mental Health webinar, delivered by OurCoop in partnership with Mind.
The online session will provide a safe and supportive space to explore some of the pressures men can face, why men’s mental health matters and the importance of open conversations.
Purple Tuesday
Today is Purple Tuesday - a day to celebrate inclusion, accessibility and positive change for disabled people.
You might spot colleagues wearing purple to show support and commitment for a more inclusive Society.
Our Ability network is encouraging us all to think about how we can create an environment where everyone can thrive, whatever their disability, neurodivergence, mental health or long term health needs. It’s also a chance to celebrate the colleagues championing inclusion and accessibility across OurCoop.
Small changes can make a big difference – listening, understanding individual needs and making reasonable adjustments can help everyone feel supported and included.
Watch our Ability network’s special Purple Tuesday video and let us know your thoughts!
Get involved - Whether you’re disabled, neurodivergent, or want to be a better ally, our Ability network is a space to feel supported, share experiences and help drive change.
Contact Shannon Hilton, Nick Allen or Sophie Timms to find out how you can get involved.
Ability Award
And what better day than Purple Tuesday, to congratulate and celebrate our Ability network who are tonight attending the Inclusion In Awards 2026. They’ve been shortlisted for the Most Impactful Employee Resource Group in Retail award in recognition of the amazing impact they’ve had over the last 12 months. If you want to learn, watch our special video above.
Being shortlisted reflects the passion and commitment of colleagues across the network who continue to make a meaningful difference across our Society.
We thank them for all their hard work and wish them the very best of luck.
Happy Diwali!
Finally, for this week, we wish a very Happy Diwali to all our members, customers and colleagues who are celebrating.
Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant celebration for millions of people around the world. It symbolises light overcoming darkness, good overcoming evil, and hope and new beginnings.
We hope everyone celebrating has a wonderful Diwali filled with happiness, peace and time with loved ones.
