Masterclass educates over 100 youngsters in Leicester all about the merits of co-operatives

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 21/08/2017


Over 100 youngsters found out all about the importance of co-operatives at a special masterclass event in Leicester.

Central England Co-operative linked up with Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC) to educate youngsters aged 16 and 17 about the difference of the co-operative model when it comes to the business world.

This project formed part of the National Citizen Service programme, which offers children the chance to use their school holidays to expand their horizons, learn new skills, talk to employers and improve their confidence by meeting new people.

The Co-operative Masterclass, which took place at De Montfort University, revolved around the business case for co-operatives and involved asking students to see if there is a gap in the market for co-operatives for young people. 

It also looked at campaigns and how students would promote topics such as Fairtrade, Co-operatives Fortnight, democracy, elections, voting and members’ meetings.

Tanya Noon, Member and Community Relations Officer, said: “The masterclass is a way in which we showcase co-operatives to youngsters.

“It is a great opportunity to use the skills they have and the new skills they have learned to see what it takes to set up a co-operative.

“I hope we have left these youngsters knowing that there is a different way to do business and the masterclass was a great way to do that.”

The event saw colleagues from across Central England Co-operative and Membership and Community Council members donate their time to help youngsters come up with ideas for their own co-ops including one which would allow people using the London Underground to order their lunch via an app and then pick it up at the next station.

Tom Ashton, from LEBC, said: “The event was about teaching youngsters about skills and confidence building as well as having fun, learning about the world of work and improving employability for the future.

“The feedback has been positive and they have all learned so much about co-operatives. This included that co-operatives do something for other people and reinvest in the community around them.”

People can see a specially created film showcasing the masterclass at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wMhE9aGkDA

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

 

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 gross sales of £927 million in 2016/17. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, 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 2017.

 

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 members.comunity@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 / Heather Clapton at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140

 

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop