Lichfield community hub project has now helped over 300 people in just four weeks
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 27/04/2020
A community hub scheme run by Central England Co-op and Lichfield District Council has now helped over 300 people – and is earning rave reviews from across the community.
The ground-breaking project, which sees the district council identify vulnerable people and work with the retailer to create and deliver vital food packages out of its community hub based in Boley Park, has now supported 318 people in just four weeks.
The scheme, which since launching in Lichfield has been rolled out by Central England Co-op in Stafford, Derby and Burton, has also received great feedback by the vulnerable people it has been supporting.
One Lichfield recipient said: “It’s an outstanding job that’s been done for all the people who can’t get out, thank you so much.”
Another added: “I’m extremely appreciative of all the hard work you’re all doing - thank you.”
One family member said: “Just to say thank you so much for helping my parents. They’ve got in a right state with worry over all this and are scared to go near a shop. You just saved me a 70-mile round trip. Thank you - you’ve made a difference.”
James Knight, Member and Community Relations Officer for Central England Co-op, is managing the project for the retailer from Boley Park.
He said: “It is amazing to think we have helped over 300 people in four weeks – it is a testament to the true co-operation on show between us and the council.
“The feedback has been fantastic and really showcases the impact the project is having and will continue to have in the coming weeks.”
Councillor Ashley Yeates, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing, said: “We’re really proud to be a part of the emergency shopping service with Central England Co-op.
“It’s been wonderful to see all the thank you messages coming in. They show just how vital this initiative is proving and how grateful everyone is.
“We don’t want anyone who is self-isolating to worry about how they are going to get their shopping, so please do call us if you need our help.”
The council will not ask for any payment information when they make the initial call to people it has identified.
If you live in Lichfield District and are self-isolating and do not have any outside help, call the emergency shopping line on 0333 220 3088, which is available from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
To find out more about the service, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/coronavirushelp.
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 with interests in food, funeral, floral, travel and property investment.
Co-operatives have always been there for their communities; they were formed to protect them and help them flourish.
Our 7,900 colleagues who serve Members and customers work hard to ensure that co-operative values, principles and spirit flow through everything we do to help support and improve our local communities.
Owned by hundreds of thousands of Members, we have over 430 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.
We are proud of our reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.
We invest a percentage of our trading profit into local communities through our Community Dividend Fund scheme, have donated over £1.3 million to our corporate charity partner Dementia UK and also operate a pioneering food redistribution partnership with FareShare Midlands so unsold food goes to those in need.
Visit www.centralengland.coop for more information or follow us on Facebook or Twitter using @mycoopfood
Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle
Phone - 01543 421390
Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop