Our new Society President, Heather Richardson & Alz Café Fundraiser

Along with the Board, Helen has provided constant support to me and the Executive team and has given a great deal of her personal time in accompanying me on site visits to meet with colleagues across all of our businesses. Helen will remain on the Board and continue to support us as a director. I am sure colleagues will want to join me in congratulating her on time as President and thanking her for her service to the Society.  

Helen accompanied me on numerous site visits, meeting our incredible colleagues. Here we are at Carterton Nursery with Nursery Manager, Nadine Board

I am also pleased to say that Heather Richardson, who was one of our two Vice-Presidents, has now been appointed as the new Society President. Heather has been a Director of the Society for six years and the Executive team and I are looking forward to working more closely with her over the next year. Heather will be supported by two Vice Presidents, Vivian Woodall, who has held this position for many years and Irene Kirkman who has taken up the role for the first time. I am sure colleagues will wish all three the very best as they work with the rest of our Board to steer the Society in the right direction over the months ahead. 

Our new Society President, Heather Richardson

Dating back to January 2020, I first met with Julie and the volunteers at Alz Café when they invited me to their very first coffee morning. It was a small gathering of people suffering from dementia and their carers who are principally, wives, husbands or children. They were supported by a small group of volunteers who served up tea, coffee and biscuits. Two months later we were in lockdown, but the support of our Wolverhampton regional community ensured that the charity could keep going albeit with limited activity. I was invited back in November 2022 as our partnership was drawing to an end and they wanted to show me how much Alz café had grown. The place was packed and there was dancing, singing and much merriment.

Singing and dancing at Alz Café last November!

After the event, I asked the Regional Community team led by Gregg Seymour, Tracy Edwards, Parm Kalirai, Dave Richards and Lindsey Pearce to come up with a fundraising event this year which would provide a legacy for our partnership and ensure funding for the years ahead. They didn’t disappoint and the event at Himley Hall Dudley on 26 October raised an incredible £7,500. I am extremely proud of everyone who worked so hard to put on the event and so very grateful to our colleagues and partners who supported it. You can watch a special video update from the event below.

Meeting Alison Hands, Lincolnshire Co-operative CEO

Finally, on Friday 20 October, I hosted a visit by Alison Hands who is the new CEO at Lincolnshire Co-operative. She was keen to see our Food Market format and also visit one of our nurseries. We popped in to see our food teams at Chipping Norton and Moreton In Marsh and our nursery team at Warwick Gates. Alison was extremely impressed with our operations particularly the engagement of our colleagues and their commitment to providing great service. These visits really do showcase how we are a thriving co-operative while continuing to do good together. 

Lincolnshire Co-operative CEO, Alison Hands and I sampled the fish & chips with Dan the Chef at Moreton In Marsh