Colleagues at Halesworth Food Store learn how to help those with dementia

Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 14/10/2016


Colleagues from Central England Co-operative’s Food Store in Halesworth have all been trained to help care for people with dementia – while raising money for charity at the same time.

A total of 19 staff from the store in Saxons Way were given specialist support to allow them to help colleagues and customers affected by the condition.

Community group Halesworth Dementia Carers’ Fund organised all colleagues to be trained as Dementia Friends over a two day period in sessions delivered by the Alzheimer’s Society.

At the same time the store decided to raise money for the group to ensure that it can continue its work and has now handed over a cheque worth £342.

Stuart Rix, Halesworth Food Store Manager, said: “Everyone involved at the store is proud to have been able to support such a worthwhile project.

“Not only have we raised money for Halesworth Dementia Carers’ Fund, but we have also received specialist training to ensure we can help colleagues and customers battling with the condition.

“We would like to thank the Alzheimer’s Society for coming along and training us, Halesworth dementia Carers’ Fund for their amazing work and colleagues and customers for supporting what we have been doing.”

David Rich, of Halesworth Dementia Carers’ Fund, said: “We have a great relationship with our local Co-op and were delighted when they said they wanted to get involved with what we do.

“A total of two training sessions were delivered and at the same time as the store decided to raise some money to help us to continue our good work.

“The Central England Co-operative store in Halesworth is a great example of what companies can do help and be part of the community.

“We hope that others see the example set by Central England Co-operative and follow suit.

“Central England Co-operative has been brilliant and we hope that the work we have done can help people in the community.

“The fabulous amount raised will allow us to continue the work that we do to raise awareness about dementia.”

More information about the Halesworth dementia Carers’ Fund can be found by visiting https://halesworthdementia-cf.com/

Notes to editors:

Picture credit: Members of Halesworth Dementia Carers’ Fund accepted a cheque for £342 from Central England Co-operative’s Food Store in Halesworth.

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 projected gross sales of £958million for 2016/17. The Society recently celebrated being named Leading Co-operative of the Year 2016 by Co-operatives UK. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. Central England Co-operative has more than 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.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2015/16.
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 Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
For more information visit http://www.centralengland.coop follo,w Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth / Jo Baldock at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop