Colleague News: Debbie’s Update, Survey Results & Travel Offers
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Published 27 Oct 2026 in Colleagues
There’s lots to celebrate in this week’s Colleague News! Hear from Debbie, see our latest colleague survey results, celebrate our Chipping Norton award win and Worcester Travel volunteers, and check out the latest colleague travel offers.
A message from Debbie...
Hello everyone,
It was wonderful to see so many of our Members coming together for our Interim Members’ Meeting last Wednesday, whether attending at one of our seven venues or joining us online.
Our Members are at the heart of everything we do and meetings like this are an important part of what makes us a co-operative. They provide an opportunity for Members to hear directly about how their Society is performing, understand the progress we are making and have their say on the things that matter to them.
This was our first Interim Members’ Meeting since coming together as OurCoop in January, making it an important milestone for our Society. It was an opportunity to share our mid-year financial results, reflect on what we have achieved so far and look ahead to our priorities for the months ahead.
I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make the meeting possible. From the colleagues working behind the scenes to those supporting our Members at each venue and online, your contribution helped make it a successful event. Thank you.
Looking ahead to the final months of 2026
As we move into November, we have an important few weeks ahead across our family of businesses, with plenty of opportunities to support our Members, customers and communities.
For our FoodCoop colleagues, we are entering one of the busiest trading times of the year. From Halloween and Bonfire Night to the festive season and New Year, there are some fantastic opportunities to help customers celebrate, spend time with family and friends and make the most of everyday life.
For TravelCoop, thoughts will be turning to winter sunshine, festive getaways and holidays for 2027. This is an important time to inspire customers, help them plan their next adventure and make the most of the opportunities ahead.
Across FuneralCoop, our colleagues continue to provide care, compassion and support to families when they need it most. As we approach a time of year that can be particularly difficult for those remembering loved ones, the kindness and reassurance you provide makes a real difference.
For our Little Pioneers teams, the weeks ahead bring plenty of excitement, learning and seasonal activities as children and families approach the end of the year. Thank you for everything you do to create welcoming, nurturing environments where children can learn, grow and thrive.
And across our Energy, Mobile and Broadband businesses, there are opportunities to help Members and customers manage their household needs and access services that support them in their everyday lives, particularly as we move into the colder winter months.
Everyone has a part to play in making these final months of 2026 a success.
We have achieved a great deal since January and there is still much to do. What matters is that we continue to work together, support one another and stay focused on delivering for our Members, customers and communities.
Thank you for everything you do and for the contribution you continue to make to OurCoop.
Best wishes,
Debbie
Colleague Survey Results
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our recent pulse survey so we can continue to listen and make a difference to all our colleagues. We heard from 4572 colleagues – that’s 38% of our colleagues.
Click here to view Colleague Survey Results
What happens next...
Of course, completing the survey is just the beginning; what comes next is where we make a difference. Leaders will be sharing the results with managers so they can cascade them to their teams and update action plans previously created from our June survey. A key part of the process is ensuring all colleagues are actively involved through our colleague voice forums and team meetings, which will provide the opportunity to discuss the results, understand themes and develop the improvement actions.
Thank you for your feedback and commitment to improving the colleague experience at OurCoop.
Your Colleague Travel Offers! ✈️
From city breaks to beach escapes, book your getaway with TravelCoop today and enjoy up to 15% off your holiday when you show your colleague discount!
PARIS CITY BREAK WITH A FREE SEINE RIVER CRUISE!
Spend your days exploring Parisian streets, browsing chic boutiques, enjoying delicious French pastries and admiring some of the world's most iconic landmarks! And to make your trip extra special, you’ll receive a FREE River Seine Sightseeing Cruise!
Hotel Mademoiselle
3 nights, room only
Classic Double or Twin
FREE River Seine Sightseeing Cruise
8th March 2027
Birmingham
Colleagues save 15% with Co-op Holidays: £346pp including £22pp payable locally. (Non colleague price £407pp)
T&Cs apply. Prices correct as of 16/10/2026, subject to change and availability. Prices are based on 2 adults sharing.
☀️ WINTER SUN IN EGYPT ☀️
Swap chilly December days for Red Sea sunshine, amazing aqua park adventures and beachfront relaxation! 🌴
🏨 4* Ali Baba Palace
📍 Hurghada, Egypt
📅 2 December 2026 for 7 nights
🛫 Bristol flights (other airports available)
🍽️ All Inclusive
🧳 23kg hold luggage per person
🚌 Shared airport transfers
Colleagues save 10% with easyJet holidays: £504 no local tax due (Non colleague price £559pp)
Price based on 2 adults sharing and is subject to availability and change.
✨ GREEK ISLAND-STYLE LUXURY IN HALKIDIKI ✨
🌴 Adults-only luxury, beachfront bliss and stylish pool days… this is your invitation to escape to Greece in style! 💙☀️
🏨 5* Domes Noruz Kassandra
📍 Hanioti, Halkidiki
📅 Departing 13 May 2027
🛫 London Gatwick flights included
🧳 22kg hold baggage and 10kg hand luggage
🍴 Half Board
🚌 Return coach transfers included
Colleagues save 10% with jet2holidays: £674 including £88 payable locally. (Non colleague price £748pp)
Prices are subject to availability and change. Tourist tax is payable locally.
CROATIAN COASTAL GETAWAY
Blue Sun Hotel Alga is perfectly placed on the stunning Makarska Riviera, just steps from the beach. Soak up the sunshine, relax by the pool or explore the charming waterfront promenade lined with cafés, bars and restaurants.
Bluesun Hotel Alga
7 nights, Half Board
Classic Double
Return Shared Transfers
Min. 15kg checked in luggage pp
2nd June 2027
Luton
Colleagues save 15% with Coop Holidays: £720pp including £12pp payable locally. (Non colleague price £847pp)
Prices correct as of 16/10/2026, subject to change and availability. Based on 2 sharing.
Our Inclusion Network Leads connect, collaborate and learn together
Three of our Inclusion Leads, Jess Harvey, Sam Thompson and Shannon Hilton recently attended the Inclusion In Collaboration Committee, joining colleagues from across the industry to share ideas, explore new perspectives and champion more inclusive workplaces.
Events like these are a fantastic opportunity to learn from others, challenge thinking, bring fresh ideas back into our Society and build connections that help drive meaningful change. And that’s exactly what being part of Our Inclusion Networks is all about!
A big thank you to Jess, Sam and Shannon for representing our networks and bringing their passion for inclusion to the wider community.
This week's Sustainability Top Tip!
Around 22 million pumpkins are thrown away in the UK each Halloween, despite being perfectly edible, creating an estimated 18,000 tonnes of food waste. Make the most of your pumpkin this Halloween by using the flesh in soups, curries or pies, roast the seeds for a healthy snack, and compost any leftovers where possible. Together we can prevent a considerable amount of food waste and make better use of a seasonal food that is too often thrown away.
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.
Brilliant community volunteering from Worcester Travel!
Colleagues from our Worcester Travel team recently spent a volunteering day supporting the Chatty Café at Wolverley Memorial Hall, a community group that recently received funding from OurCoop. As well as helping with practical tasks, they spent time chatting with members who rely on the café for friendship, connection and a sense of belonging. Seeing first-hand how Society funding is helping to create a community garden and support local people highlighted the real difference colleagues can make, both through volunteering and by helping our communities thrive. Well done!
Got a good news story about a colleague? We'd love to hear it! Send us a few words and photos at communications@midcounties.coop.
Chipping Norton Food Community Award Success
A huge congratulations to our colleagues in Chipping Norton Food and everyone involved in supporting the local community. After being named finalists in the Chipping Norton Community Award, we're delighted to share that OurCoop went on to win Organisation/Group of the Year at the Chipping Norton Town Council Awards. The award recognises organisations that help make the community a special place, reflecting the dedication, community spirit and positive impact of our colleagues. Well done!
