Colleague News 11.08
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Published 11 Aug 2026 in Colleagues
Welcome to this week’s issue of Colleague News – your round-up of the latest updates from across our Society.
This week, discover how Little Pioneers continues to grow with the opening of a new nursery in Cranbrook, learn more about our Wellbeing Supporters and the training that helps them support colleagues, and join us in wishing good luck to everyone receiving exam results this summer.
Little Pioneers set to open brand-new nursery in Cranbrook
A brand-new Little Pioneers nursery is set to open its doors in Cranbrook next month, following a £1 million investment.
The purpose-built nursery on Elm Drive will provide 100 places for children aged from three months to five years, creating a welcoming new space for local families in one of Devon’s fastest-growing communities.
The opening was marked with an excellent ribbon-cutting event last week, with lots of the local community joining the celebrations alongside OurCoop Board members, executive team and childcare colleagues. The Vice Chair of Cranbrook Town Council was also in attendance to help mark the occasion.
Another addition to the growing Little Pioneers family following the Rosebird opening in June, the new nursery has been designed with children and families at its heart. It features three dedicated rooms, each tailored to different age groups, helping children learn, develop and have fun in an environment built specifically for them.
There’s also on-site parking, a large garden for outdoor play and a dedicated parents’ room where families can meet with their child’s key worker.
That focus on partnership runs throughout the Little Pioneers approach. Every child and family will have an allocated key worker who will get to know them, support their individual needs and keep parents up to date with their child’s progress – from learning and friendships to practical milestones such as toilet training, food and sleeping patterns.
Debbie Slater, Deputy Manager at Little Pioneers Cranbrook shared:
“We are incredibly proud of our new nursery. Not only does it look fantastic, but it also provides an inspiring environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive with the support of our exceptional nursery team.”
The investment is particularly significant for Cranbrook, which has a young and growing population and an increasing number of families.
Councillor Kevin Kendall, Vice Chair of Cranbrook Town Council, added:
“Cranbrook has a uniquely young working-age population with a rapidly growing number of children, and ensuring our youngest residents get the best start in life is incredibly close to our hearts.
“We are thrilled to welcome Little Pioneers. They share our passion for community and collaboration, offering our families trusted support and a nurturing environment.”
The new nursery is another great example of OurCoop investing in the communities where we operate - creating high-quality spaces and services that make a real difference to local families.
A warm welcome to all our new colleagues at Cranbrook Nursery!
Wellbeing Supporters
Following our update last month, we're pleased to share that we've now completed the second of our EveryMind training sessions for our Wellbeing and Mental Health Champions.
As part of our integration, our Champions have chosen a new name for the role. Going forward, they'll be known as Wellbeing Supporters – a simpler name that better reflects how they support colleagues across Our Coop.
The training has equipped our Wellbeing Supporters with the confidence and practical skills to have supportive conversations about mental health and wellbeing. EveryMind also emphasises the importance of supporting the supporters, helping them look after their own wellbeing while supporting others.
As the training explores sensitive topics, we'd like to thank everyone who took part for their openness, compassion and commitment. It's inspiring to see colleagues from across the Society coming together to support the wellbeing of those around them.
We'll introduce our full network of Wellbeing Supporters next month, when we'll share their names and contact details.
In the meantime, you can continue to contact the Wellbeing Supporters on our current list – click here for their details.
Results day!
To everyone receiving A Levels, T Levels and GCSE results this week and next - good luck!
Whether you're celebrating or facing some unexpected news, remember that these results are just one moment in your story. They can open doors, but they don't define your potential, your character, or what you'll achieve in the future.
Whatever your results, take a moment to recognise the hard work that got you here. Be proud of your effort, celebrate your achievements, and know that there are always different routes to your goals and opportunities often appear in unexpected places.
Wishing all our colleagues and their families the very best of luck - you've got this!