Your Thumbs Up Round Up 04/04

Training future talent with Walsall collage

We recently arranged a session with Walsall College for our future talent. 8 students from the college are a travel and tourism course. They attended the Waterfront to have a face-to-face session with me (Yvette Painter), Ben Lovett, Anna Langford, James Bradbury and Rachel Clarke. The session has also been recorded to show to students who have missed out due to bus strikes.

The session was a career talk to discuss opportunities the travel industry presents and there is more than cabin crew and resort reps! The students had some great questions! The lecturer Gina and the students were so complementary to all of the team who supported me.

We covered opportunities in L&D, Support Services, Commercial, Marketing, Retail and Coop Holidays to inspire colleagues as they come towards the end of the course.

All the colleagues who attended can also claim this time as volunteering hours 😊

Well done to everyone involved! 👏😊👍

Parent Partnership - Southampton Nursery

I just wanted to say again a big thank you to Sophie for all her work with Odin. A few weeks ago, she noticed Odin's eyes were looking in slightly different places and last week it was confirmed by the doctor he has a squint. It is very slight, and the doctor did initially struggle to see it, as did both parents. This just shows how amazing Sophie is and how much care and attention she pays to Odin to have seen it. Sophie is so compassionate and I am so grateful to have her as Odin's keyworker.

She has given Odin so much confidence since he moved up to preschool and he gets sad to leave every afternoon. When you have a child with special needs it is such a worry that people aren't going to spend the extra effort but I know Sophie and everyone else at the cooperative are always doing the absolute most to help him. I spoke to Odin's speech therapist last Wednesday and she said Sophie is working at a higher level already than the Level 2 SEN training she is undertaking whilst I don't know the criteria, I agree that Sophie goes above and beyond for Odin every day. It moves me to see my little boy treated with such kindness and respect. I cannot express my thanks enough.

Today we celebrated Sammy Jo Taylor Store Manager of Fullbrook breaking up for her maternity leave, the stores in the district generously gave lots of gifts to wish all the best. Congratulations and good luck! 👍😊👏 

A big welcome to the Brize Meadows team after their new store launch!

Welcome to the Droitwich team who opened their new store on a snowy day!

Thank you to Codsall Food, our members, customers and colleagues who donated 131 kg of fresh and ambient food at our food bank awareness event on Tuesday 21^st March to the local food bank. Caroline Price Project leader at  The Well said “ Thank you for allowing us to do a food drive, these kinds of events are so valuable in raising awareness as well as gathering more donations “

A thank you for Kingswinford Food - well done to the team 👏

On Friday 24^th, Dave Neesham from Codsall, Retired after 18 years of service, we had a brunch buffet with family, colleagues and ex-colleagues joining him to wish him all the best. Being a non-drinker Dave appreciated the hamper of his favourite treats. 👏👍

Congratulations to our latest Travel Retail new starters who have just completed their 4-week induction. Wishing you all the best of luck in your new roles. 👍

A thank you to all our members, guests and colleagues who attended the Coop Conversations Live event on Mental Health & Wellbeing event at The Community Centre @ Christ Church Swindon on Tuesday 28th March.

The afternoon began with a gentle seated or standing exercise session delivered followed by guest speakers from MIND the Mental Health Charity and the local NHS Social Prescriber.

A fantastic afternoon was had by all with lovely feedback from attendees.