Community building in Derbyshire transformed in just 48 hours thanks to Co-op volunteers

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 31/08/2018


A community building which supports a range of groups for youngsters in Derbyshire has undergone a major transformation in just 48 hours thanks to Central England Co-operative and its suppliers.

Volunteer colleagues from the retailer joined forces with a range of different firms to help spruce up the building to support a charity run playgroup in Ambergate, close to Belper

The site supports the Ambergate and District Playgroup as well as the local Brownie group, WI, charity events and appeals.

The ambitious project saw dozens of people dedicate two whole days to transforming the much-used facility.

Central England Co-op President Elaine Dean also donned a hard hat and hi-viz jacket to visit the site and support the volunteering effort.

Rowland Woolley, Property Project Manager, has spearheaded the makeover project.

He said: “This building is a vital resource for the local community and we knew that giving it a makeover would be a project that would benefit from the help and skills of our property team.

“We then engaged with partners to come up with a plan to transform the site and we all came together to give up time and provide materials for such a great cause.

“In just two days we transformed the site and everyone has been left with a sense that they have made a real difference to the local community.”

The work saw volunteers from Central England Co-op decorating the building with materials supplied by ABI Projects LTD, upgrading the lighting to LED thanks to Oak Electrical, and replacing the curtains by supplier Just Fabrics.

The plans for the project were supported by architect and design firm Fisch Design Belper.

Kate Nutbourne, Ambergate and District Playgroup Manager, said: “The facelift inside has transformed the children’s surroundings beyond all recognition, particularly with the soft, warm, calming colours. It’s been really well thought out and we love it.

“The help and support from the Central England Co-operative volunteers over the 48 hours is really appreciated by me and all of the staff here.”

 

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 414140

 

Email –publicrelations@centralengland.coop