Co-op links-up with Lichfield care home to offer support and volunteering this Christmas

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 07/12/2018


Central England Co-op colleagues have been helping bring a little festive cheer to care home residents in Lichfield.

Staff from the Society’s Business Support Centre, in Hermes Road, and from across its wide array of businesses have been donating their time to support a range of activities from flower arranging to making Christmas decoration at The Spires Care Home, in Stafford Road.

The link-up is set to continue into 2019 with a wide variety of further events planned to help make a big impact with residents.

Scott Worth, Performance and Productivity Improvement Manager, has spearheaded the link between Central England and the care home.

He said: “I know first-hand about the great work that the care home undertakes as my grandparents are residents there.

“This was why as soon as I was told that they needed volunteer support, I arranged for several people from Central England to visit and support the residents.

“I was also keen to help out as the care home supports people with dementia and Dementia UK is our Society corporate charity.
“Our volunteering has included a floristry display by some of our floral team from Burton, a history talk about Lichfield and a team of us helping to make Christmas decorations.

“We also have more plans to head back before Christmas and take part in a sing song and take along some festive treats to bring joy to the residents.

“We also hope that more people will volunteer in 2019 and that we can continue to work together on a range of different volunteering opportunities.”

Fran Sharp, General Manager of The Spires, said: “The volunteers from Central England Co-op have been a wonderful addition to our home.

“They have all been enthusiastic, caring and supportive to include our residents and we hope they enjoyed their time with us, they are always welcome back to visit.”  

Colleagues from the Society donate thousands of hours of their time every year to support a range of community projects.

Central England Co-op has been helping those with dementia and their families for over 18 months as part of a link-up with Dementia UK.

Over £830,000 has been donated to the good cause during that time, which has been used to pay for specialist nurses and a vital free support helpline.

 

Notes to editors

 

About Central England Co-operative

 

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.

 

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2018.

 

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

 

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

 

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

 

Rob Smyth at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390

 

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop