New Chilwell Funeralcare Team Open Up About The Importance Of Being At The Heart Of The Local Community

Posted by stephanie forrester | Published: 21/08/2018


The new team from Chilwell Funeral Home, in Nottingham, have been talking freely about their careers at Central England Co-operative Funeralcare and revealing the key ingredients to making the team a success.

Funeral Director Ruth Bartlett and Funeral Administrators Alison Bexon and Gillian Williamson took time out from their jobs at the High Road Funeral Home to talk about how they are working together to ensure they deliver a first-class service to local families in their time of need.

Ruth has been working in the role of Funeral Director for over 12 years and is committed to every family receiving the highest standard of care and compassion. She shared her view of why the new team is already working well together.

She said: “The team is at the heart of the community in Chilwell and both Alison and Gillian live in the area, providing local knowledge and familiarity with residents. Combined with an awareness of what’s going on nearby, this gives them a personal touch when it comes to supporting families at such a difficult time. Sharing workload, good communication and making sure we are all feeling OK and supporting each other in our work are key to succeeding as a team.”

Prior to starting her new role just a couple of months ago, Alison’s role was at the University of Nottingham Medical School where she was experienced in talking sensitively to bereaved families and arranging cremations.

Alison, 55, who is a keen badminton player and a Nottingham Forest supporter, said:  “We are immensely proud of what the team do and what we deliver for families. The team is very caring, helpful and understanding. I enjoy the variety of the work and being able to help people at a difficult time in their lives. I am enjoying learning about all aspects of the job and attending relevant training. Living in the local area is really helpful as I already have knowledge of local facilities, GP surgeries and where clients live. Working for a co-operative is special because the business is such a part of the local community, providing a very important service to the people of the area as well as helping in charity fundraising and community events.”

Gillian, 31, is mum to three children and also started in the role just two months ago. She said: “When families are grieving we can take some of the pressure off them and be there to help support and reassure them that their loved ones are receiving the best care right to the very end.”

Gillian’s previous role was in a residential care home. She explained why she is delighted to continue her career with a co-operative in her new role: “My grandmother’s funeral was with The Co-operative and I cannot fault the service my family received. I hope that I am able to make our families and clients feel how I did after the funeral service has taken place.”

Looking to the future, Ruth said: “Now our team is complete we look forward to enhancing memories and love for families in the surrounding areas.”

For more information about Central England Co-operative’s Funeralcare service, visit https://www.centralengland.coop/funeralcare or call the Chilwell Funeral Home on 0115 697 2826. 

 

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, 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 / Heather Clapton at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140

Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop