Pioneering scheme to support vulnerable people across Stafford has now helped 107 people

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 17/04/2020

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 107 people.

Central England Co-op teamed up with Stafford Borough 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 Wildwood Food Store, in Cannock Road.

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, 107 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 Wildwood Food Store.

He said: “It is great to see that our partnership has helped 107 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 Stafford Borough Council can work together to provide vital support for the local community.”

This scheme has also been rolled out in Lichfield and Derby, with more areas being looked at in the coming weeks.

Stafford Borough Council Leader Patrick Farrington said: “This partnership with Central England Co-op is proving to be a vital lifeline for many in our community.

“It is a completely new venture which is still in its early days - but we can already see how successful it is.

“Congratulations to all those who have got this up and running so quickly and to those who are helping out with the ordering and deliveries of food to vulnerable and isolating residents in the borough.”

The council will not be asking for any payment information when they make the initial call. To find out more, visit www.staffordbc.gov.uk/Coronavirus

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Central England Co-op has teamed up with Stafford Borough Council to create vital care packages for local vulnerable people in the area.

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