Support for Ukraine, Longlevens Community Space & Fairtrade Fortnight
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Published 4 Mar 2022 in Phil's blog
I’m sure that like me you have been shocked by the unfolding situation in Ukraine. Many have tragically lost their lives and it has been a moment in history that has affected innocent people, the economy and many across the world. To help the communities who have been most affected, this week we joined other Co-ops in supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Yesterday we wrote to members making them aware of the appeal and promoted it within our trading sites and on our digital channels, encouraging donations to the appeal. The DEC are directly working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing by providing food, water, medical assistance, protection, and trauma care.
If you would like to make a donation to this cause, please click here. You can also donate in-store at any of our Food stores or by texting COOP to 70150*(All text donations are to the value of £10 plus standard network charge). If colleagues have any specific concerns around the situation in Ukraine, please let your line manager know or contact GroceryAid for help and support, find out more here or call the helpline 08088 021 122.
Society Investments continue - Montague Park, Wokingham & achieving 150,000 Home Deliveries
For the fourth week in a row, our Society investments continue with the launch of Montague Park in Wokingham yesterday. Based in Berkshire, it will complement a number of existing stores in that area and adds to our wider estate just west of London. A big well done to all the teams involved in making these launches possible during a very busy time. The store helps create 20 new jobs for the local community and joins our new stores: Blythe Valley, Twigworth & Matthews Green. A warm welcome to Store Manager, Agata Amir, and our new colleagues. I look forward to visiting very soon.
On a side note, it was great to hear last week that we achieved the 150,000th Home Delivery at Summertown Food. A fantastic achievement by our all our Home Delivery teams, who have supported so many communities since the launch. Well done.
Longlevens Community Space – partnering with RDA Abingdon
Last week I had the chance to visit our Longlevens store in Gloucestershire which hosts a dedicated community space as well as the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) charity partner shop. This gave me the opportunity to get involved in the ‘Knit & Natter’ community group and to meet our incredible charity partner. Have a watch of the exclusive video update below which explains more.
Lechlade Tea Dance!
Since the turn of the year, I’ve been able to get out and about to visit some of our community partners and groups. One I visited this week was the Lechlade Tea Dance group which has been set up by an ex-colleague of ours, Kelly Foreshaw, who is now a self-employed carer for the Lechlade community.
Kelly directly contacted me to thank the local Lechlade Food store for their donations of tea/ coffee/cake and invited me to attend one of the dances which occur once a month. I was glad to attend yesterday and meet (and dance) with many of the people who take part in the community event. A chance for individuals to meet fellow people and enjoy a dance or two, the local Regional Community is White Horse where I was joined by Store Manager, Greg Ward as well as colleagues from the store. I really enjoyed seeing how our donations either big or small, impact our local communities.
Fairtrade Fortnight round up
Fairtrade Fortnight finishes this Sunday and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for promoting Fairtrade, getting involved in our events and switching your usual brands for Fairtrade products. I’m also very grateful to Fairtrade expert Brad Hill for his involvement in our lively Your Co-op Conversation last week. We have a Fairtrade competition running until next Friday, which is exclusively for colleagues, so if you would like to take part and have the chance of winning a Fairtrade hamper, click here.
But it doesn’t end there, the Fortnight may be coming to a close, but I’d ask you to remember everything you’ve heard about the good Fairtrade does for farmers, communities and the planet and to choose Fairtrade all year round. Plus, look out for more Fairtrade activities coming up throughout 2022 and please do get involved.
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