Pioneering scheme to support vulnerable people across Lichfield has now helped 100 people

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 09/04/2020


A scheme aimed at getting vital food and essentials to residents, who are self-isolating but do not have anyone to help them, has now helped 100 people.

 

Central England Co-op teamed up with Lichfield District Council to launch the project in an effort to support the vulnerable members of the local community with vital care packages.

 

The council identifies vulnerable community members, gathers orders and passes them onto the retailer’s community hub at its Boley Park Food Store.

 

Central England Co-op colleagues then create a package and take payment from the customer over the phone before the local authority delivers the goods.

 

In just over a week since the scheme went live, 100 people have been supported by the project.

 

James Knight, Member and Community Relations Officer for Central England Co-op, is managing the project for the retailer from Boley Park.

 

He said: “It is great to see that our partnership has helped 100 people so far gain access to vital food and essentials they otherwise may have missed out on.

 

“This is a true example of co-operation in action and showcases how, during these uncertain times, like-minded organisations like Central England Co-op and Lichfield District Council can work together to provide vital support for the local community.”

 

This scheme was the first of its kind in the country and its success has already seen a similar operation rolled out in partnership with Stafford Borough Council.

 

Councillor Ashley Yeates, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We have got staff from all over the council as well as elected members working on the phone lines to help run the service.

 

“It’s been great to see everyone pulling together and we’re getting some lovely messages of thanks from the people we’ve helped.

 

“This is a fantastic example of partnership working and we look forward to continuing to support our residents through this difficult time.”

 

The council will not be asking for any payment information when they make the initial call. To find out more, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/coronavirushelp or residents who are self-isolating, and do not have any outside help, can call is 0333 220 3088, which is available from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

 

The phone line will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 9 April to 9am on Tuesday 14 April to coincide with Easter. Orders placed on Thursday will be delivered on Good Friday.

 

 

 

Notes to editors

 

Picture caption: Dean Epton, from Lichfield District Council, picks up the packages from the Central England Co-op store in Boley Park, Lichfield.

 

About Central England Co-operative

 

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK with interests in food, funeral, floral, travel and property investment.

 

Co-operatives have always been there for their communities; they were formed to protect them and help them flourish. 

 

Our 7,900 colleagues serve Members and customers work hard to ensure that co-operative values, principles and spirit flow through everything we do to help support and improve our local communities.

 

Owned by hundreds of thousands of Members, we have over 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. 

 

We are proud of our reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.

 

We invest a percentage of our trading profit into local communities through our Community Dividend Fund scheme, have donated over £1.3 million to our corporate charity partner Dementia UK and also operate a pioneering food redistribution partnership with FareShare Midlands so unsold food goes to those in need.

 

Visit www.centralengland.coop for more information or follow us on Facebook or Twitter using @mycoopfood

 

 

Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle

 

Phone - 01543 421390

 

Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop