Masterclass events will help Central England Co-op to celebrate Co-operatives Fortnight

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 10/08/2018


Central England Co-op is celebrating Co-operatives Fortnight by working with hundreds of youngsters to teach them all about the importance of co-operatives.

The Society is backing the two-week annual event, which runs from 23 June to 7 July, by getting out and about to schools, colleges and universities across its trading estate of 16 counties to educate youngsters aged 16 and 17 about the difference of the co-operative model when it comes to the business world.

Co-operatives Fortnight is an annual awareness campaign to help people become more familiar with co-operatives in their local area.

The Co-operative Masterclasses revolve around the business case for co-operatives and involve asking students to see if there is a gap in the market for co-operatives for young people.

The events also work with students to talk about and get their opinion on a range of topics such as Fairtrade, democracy, elections, voting and membership.

Nicci Clarke, Brand Engagement Manager at Central England Co-op, said: “The theme of this year’s Co-operatives Fortnight is all based around showing how your co-op makes a difference to people’s lives – and we think that our Co-operative Masterclasses are a great example of that.

“The masterclasses are 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.

“We cannot wait to get out and about during Co-operatives Fortnight to talk to youngsters and showcase how the Society works to help improve the areas in which we serve, the positive difference working together can have and what being a co-operative is all about.”

Co-operative Masterclasses will take place at several locations during Co-operatives Fortnight including Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.

A special film has been created to showcase the impact of Co-operative Masterclasses. It can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyLTBVskBGs&feature=youtu.be

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 www.members.coop

 

Notes to editors

 

Picture caption: Students taking part in a Co-operative Masterclass at De Montfort University, in Leicester.

 

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