Colleague News: Debbie’s Update, Awards and Flu Vaccinations
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Published 20 Oct 2026 in Colleagues
This week’s Colleague News celebrates OurCoop receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise. Plus, hear from Debbie, support our Toy Appeal, celebrate our latest Colleague of the Month winners, and catch up on the latest wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability updates. There's lots happening across OurCoop!
A message from Debbie...
Dear colleagues,
Last Tuesday, we welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Tim Cox, to OurCoop Support Centre Leamington to formally present OurCoop with the King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity. He was accompanied by his wife Penny and Deputy Lieutenant Martin Jelley, with our Vice-Presidents Irene Kirkman and Richard Bickle joining senior leaders to celebrate this achievement.
Announced earlier this year following a submission in 2025, the award recognises our work to promote social mobility and create employment opportunities for people facing significant barriers. It is one of the most prestigious business awards we can receive and we will hold it for five years. Thank you to everyone whose work has contributed to this recognition. It reflects the difference we can make by opening doors and helping people realise their potential.
Accepting the King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity from the Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Tim Cox, alongside our Board Vice-Presidents, Irene Kirkman and Richard Bickle.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 21 October, we will welcome Members to our Interim Members’ Meeting at seven locations, with the meeting streamed online from the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. Nearly 1,500 Members are already planning to join us in person or online, which is a wonderful response. This is co-operative democracy in action: an opportunity to share our progress, hear Members’ views and answer their questions as we continue to build OurCoop together.
The value of democratic ownership was also central to a panel discussion I took part in on Friday at Cooperatives Europe’s 20th anniversary conference in Brussels. As we celebrated 20 years of co-operative achievement, we explored how democratic ownership can strengthen local economies and what policymakers can do to help co-operatives deliver more. It was a valuable opportunity to share our experience and discuss how co-operation can help communities thrive.
Discussing the value of democratic ownership as part of a panel discussion at Cooperatives Europe’s 20th Anniversary Conference in Brussels.
Listening to the people who know our businesses best is another important part of making OurCoop stronger. OurCoop: Your Idea launched and we have already received a number of great ideas from across our family of businesses. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share a suggestion and please keep them coming. Your everyday experience can help us find better ways of working, improve the service we provide and make a difference for colleagues and Members.
Finally, congratulations to everyone nominated for September’s Colleague of the Month and a special well done to our overall winners, Matt Kirby and David Shaw-Matthews.
Please keep nominating colleagues who deserve recognition. Taking a few minutes to explain how someone has helped you, supported their team or gone the extra mile helps us celebrate contributions that might otherwise go unseen. Knowing that a colleague has noticed and appreciated their efforts can mean a great deal.
September’s Colleague of the Month overall winners, Matt Kirby and David Shaw-Matthews - OurCoop Support Centre, Lichfield.
Thank you for everything you continue to do for OurCoop, our Members and our communities.
Debbie
Helping you to stay well this winter - Free NHS Flu vaccination
We are pleased to be able to offer you access to a free Flu Voucher this winter to help you stay well. You are able to request one of these vouchers if you aren't eligible to receive a free flu vaccination through the NHS.If you are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination, we encourage you to use that service.
You can request a voucher by completing the form on the link below. We will then email your voucher together with details of how to arrange your appointment at a participating pharmacy.
Here's what you need to know:
- The voucher is free, so there is no cost to you.
- You can request 1 free voucher with this benefit.
- It could take up to 5 working days for your voucher to be issued.
- We recommend contacting your preferred pharmacy in advance to check availability and appointment arrangements.
- Your voucher will include an expiry date and must be used before that date.
Request your flu vaccination voucher: Flu vaccination request form 2026 – Fill in form
Not sure whether you are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination? Please check the current NHS eligibility guidance before requesting a voucher. Flu vaccine - NHS
If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits team reward@centralcoop.co.uk.
Black History Month 2026: Honouring our Communities
October marks Black History Month, and this year’s theme, ‘Honouring our Communities’, feels especially relevant to us as a community co-operative.
Community is about more than a place or postcode. It’s about the people whose contributions shape and strengthen our communities, often without recognition. Black History Month celebrates these stories, experiences and achievements, reminding us that Black history is an important part of British history.
Discover inspiring stories – Black History Month Magazine 2026 - Black History Month 2026
Featuring 54 inspiring stories, the Black History Month online magazine celebrates people making a difference across the UK, from STEM education to using music to support wellbeing and bring communities together. Take a look, learn something new and share the stories that inspire you.
Feeling inspired to get involved?
Culture Connect is our colleague-led culture and ethnicity inclusion network, led by Jess Harvey and Chris Berry. The network is working to create a Society where we embrace our ethnic and cultural diversity - helping everyone feel valued, included and celebrated.
Whether you’d like to meet colleagues, share experiences and ideas, or help influence positive change, reach out to Jess or Chris to find out more and get involved at diversityandinclusion@midcounties.coop.
Let’s use Black History Month as an opportunity to learn, celebrate and continue building a community where everyone’s welcome.
OurCoop's Toy Appeal is back!
OurCoop’s much-loved Christmas Toy Appeal is back, bringing communities together to make sure disadvantaged local children wake up to a gift on Christmas morning.
From 12th November to 11th December, toy donation points will be available in all OurCoop stores, funeral homes, nurseries, travel agencies and support centres, where colleagues, customers and members can drop off brand-new toys, games and gifts for children who might otherwise go without.
In addition, OurCoop’s Festive Toy Appeal van will be travelling across the country, popping up at selected sites with festive samples from our Christmas food range, so visitors can stop by to donate while enjoying a taste of Christmas.
OurCoop’s Toy Appeal captures what our co-operative values are all about - community, compassion and care. Every donation brings a little hope and happiness to children who deserve a magical Christmas. We’re so grateful to our members, colleagues and customers for their generosity year after year.
Together, we can make the season merrier and brighter for everyone.
Support our appeal and donate a gift this year.
This week's Sustainability Top Tip!
UK households waste around 6 million tonnes of food and drink every year, and much of it is perfectly edible food forgotten in the fridge. Julie Barratt’s top tip from our Post Offices business is that "If you have any vegetables, potatoes or odds and ends lurking in the fridge, before they go to waste, blend them into a delicious homemade soup and enjoy them for lunch the following week."
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.
