Colleague News: Debbie’s update, Fairtrade and Wellbeing
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Published 6 Oct 2026 in Colleagues
This week’s Colleague News includes Debbie’s latest update, wellbeing support and events, Fairtrade Fortnight highlights, new sustainability tips, and a reminder to book your place at the Interim Members’ Meeting.
An update from Debbie
Dear colleagues,
What a week! From conversations about the future of co-operation to seeing the difference our colleagues are making in our communities, there has been plenty to take inspiration from.
My week began in Liverpool, where I attended the Labour Party Conference over the weekend and joined discussions about supporting our high streets, tackling rogue traders and growing the co-operative sector. These were valuable opportunities to bring the experiences of our colleagues and communities into conversations with policymakers, particularly around fair competition and safer local high streets.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool
On Thursday, I visited our Belper Food store in Derbyshire. Chris and the team have done a brilliant job turning the store from a loss-making business into one making a significant contribution to our Society. Congratulations to everyone involved. Results like these take hard work, care and a real understanding of the people we serve.
The team were also hosting an arts event and Chris is working on a new drawing to show how the store could incorporate arts, a market and seating. There is a lovely opportunity to build on what the team has achieved and create somewhere that brings shopping and community life together. I look forward to hearing your ideas about how we could make Belper something really special, with the potential to become a blueprint for the future of OurCoop.
Chris also mentioned that our Board Director, Valerie Watson, visits the store almost daily to recruit new Members. Thank you, Valerie, for helping more people become part of our Society and showing co-operation in action.
Meeting the team from Belper FoodCoop store
The week also included my first session at Birmingham City University in my role as a Visiting Professor. I met Professor Hanifa Shah MBE, colleagues and students, as well as Vice Chancellor David Mba and Chair of the Board of Governors Anita Bhalla. Alongside visiting the University’s flagship innovation building, STEAMhouse, we discussed a range of topics, including AI and projects in Malawi.
On Friday, I listened to presentations from our Erasmus students. Opportunities like Erasmus give people the chance to experience different ways of working, learn from one another and build confidence. Combining experience at OurCoop with the opportunity to study overseas offers a valuable chance to develop new skills and bring fresh ideas back to our Society.
Professor Hanifa Shah MBE with Debbie Robinson during Debbie’s first visit as Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University.
Finally, a warm welcome to Angela Daulby, who joins us today as Interim Specialist Businesses Operations Officer. Angela brings more than 30 years of experience in building brands and growing businesses. I look forward to working with her and I know you will help her feel welcome across our Society.
To all OurCoop colleagues, thank you for your commitment and the ideas you bring to our Society every day.
Debbie
October Wellbeing Newsletter
Our October Wellbeing Supporter Newsletter is here, with Lucy Shaw, Funeral Advisor and Wellbeing Supporter, as this month’s editor.
Inside, you’ll find a focus on:
- World Mental Health Day – 10 October
- OCD Awareness Week – 11–17 October
- World Menopause Day – 18 October
Lucy also shares her own experience of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), alongside helpful resources and support.
📅 Online event: Making Work, Work for Everyone
Friday 9 October | 1pm
As part of National WorkLife Week, Everymind will explore practical ways to improve work-life balance, manage workloads and support colleagues with caring responsibilities.
👉 Register here
Take a few minutes to read and discover resources, tips and support.
Men’s Voices 2026 – Wednesday 18 November
Registration is now open for Men’s Voices 2026. 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.
The event, taking place at the OurCoop County Cricket Ground in Derby is an opportunity for men to get together and part in interactive workshops, inspirational talks and mindfulness activities focused on wellbeing. This year's event features Chris, Midlands Lead for Andy's Man Club, who will provide insight into the importance of open conversations and breaking down the stigma surrounding men's mental health. Men's Voices offers a safe and supportive environment where every voice is valued, reminding participants that they do not have to face life's challenges alone.
To book your place, click here.
Men’s Mental Health workshop with MIND 6-7pm - 25 November
If you are unable to make this event in person, OurCoop is also hosting an online event on Wednesday 25 November. Delivered by OurCoop in partnership with Mind, we provide a safe place to explore the pressures men can face and explore why men’s mental health is important.
To book your place on the online event please visit Mens' Mental Health | OurCoop
Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight and our Colleague Competition winner!
Fairtrade Fortnight may have come to an end, but we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved and helped make this year's campaign such a success.
Whether you joined one of our online events, picked up your favourite Fairtrade products in store, shared our content, or took the time to learn more about our 30+ year partnership with Fairtrade, every action helped support the movement for fairer trade and better opportunities for farmers and producers around the world.
Take a look back at some of our Fairtrade Fortnight highlights in the gallery below, featuring colleagues, events and activities from across our Society.
Fairtrade at Codsall FoodCoop store
Chipping Norton FoodCoop store
Radbrook FoodCoop store
Albrighton FoodCoop store activities!
Wem FoodCoop store
And finally, a big congratulations to our Fairtrade Colleague Competition winner!
A huge well done to Adrian Barker from West Bars Chesterfield FuneralCoop, whose name was drawn as our lucky winner.
Thank you to everyone who entered and took part throughout Fairtrade Fortnight. Your support helped us shine a spotlight on the importance of Fairtrade and the positive difference it makes to farmers, producers and communities around the world.
New Weekly Sustainability Top Tips Launch
Sustainability is an important part of OurCoop, and from this month we're introducing a new series of weekly Sustainability Top Tips to help colleagues make simple, practical choices that can have a positive impact at home, at work and in our communities.
As part of our weekly colleague communications, we'll be sharing a sustainability tip every week. Each tip will be easy to follow and action-focused. Throughout the year, the tips will be organised around a different sustainability theme each month, helping us explore a wide range of topics including food waste, nature, energy saving, water conservation and sustainable travel.
Our first theme for October is Tackling Food Waste, supporting activities linked to the recent International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste and World Food Day taking place later this month. Throughout the month we'll be sharing practical ideas to help reduce food waste, save money and make the most of the food we buy.
We'd also love to hear from you. 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.
Together, through lots of small actions, we can help make sustainability an everyday part of life across OurCoop.
This week’s Sustainability top tip!
Tackling Food Waste: A few small changes to how food is stored can help it last longer and reduce the chances of it being forgotten. Keeping older items where you can easily see them at home can make meal planning a little easier and help prevent having to throw away unnecessary food waste.
Interim Members’ Meeting 2026 reminder
Don’t forget to book your place for our Interim Members’ Meeting on 21st October, from 7pm.
We’d love you to join the meeting if you can - at one of the seven live events or online. It’s your chance to have your say and help shape what comes next.
As a thank you, all Members who attend will receive £5 credited to their Membership account to spend after the event.
At the meeting we will:
- Provide an update on our performance
- Set out our plans and ambitions for the future
- Update you on the progress of our governance review.
- Show how local membership and community activity is making a difference in the communities we serve.
- Open the floor for your questions in a live Q&A
You can book your place to join us at any of the following locations (or online):
- Black Country Living Museum, Dudley (broadcast venue)
- Essex Cricket Club, Chelmsford
- Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derby
- Glyme Hall, Chipping Norton
- Leicester Cricket Club, Leicester
- The Rifle Hall, Halesworth
- The Huntsman Inn, Holmfirth