The Midcounties Co-operative

At Your Co-op, we're encouraging all of our colleagues to take part today in our #TimeToTalk Day. Time to Talk Day, held annually in early February, encourages open conversations about mental health. Talking isn't always easy, but it can change lives. In 2024, nearly two-thirds of people in the UK admitted to putting on a brave face, and almost half avoided sharing their struggles to avoid burdening others. But open conversations help reduce stigma and encourage seeking support. There’s no right or wrong way to talk about mental health, but these tips can help: 1. Ask questions & listen – Use open, non-judgemental questions like “How does that affect you?” 2. Choose the right time & place – Walking, cooking or driving can make conversations feel easier. 3. Don’t try to fix it – Sometimes, just listening is enough. We'd like to share some important links if you or someone you know needs support: 🌐 MIND: www.mind.org.uk | TEL: 0300 123 3393 | TEXT: 86463 🌐 Samaritans: www.samaritans.org | TEL: 116 123 Let’s continue to make mental health an open conversation! #timetotalk #mentalhealthawareness #mentalheathmatters

📣 Introducing our second panelist: Pete Westall, Chief Values Officer at The Midcounties Co-operative and Chair of the Board of Directors for Bright Future Co-operative We’re thrilled to have Pete Westall as part of our panel. Pete has been a driving force behind Bright Future Co-operative's mission to create secure and meaningful employment opportunities for survivors of modern slavery. Reflecting on our expansion into Scotland, Pete shared: “We’re thrilled that Bright Future Coop is expanding into Scotland, as the next stage of our growth strategy. This will allow us to support survivors of modern slavery into secure, permanent & life-changing employment across the country, whether in partnership with existing members operating across the UK, or with businesses and referral partners based in Scotland & looking to join us.” Pete’s deep commitment to creating ethical and sustainable opportunities makes him an invaluable voice on this panel. Don’t miss the chance to hear his insights!    👉 Register for the event here: https://lnkd.in/e5phS9DC     #BrightFutureCooperative #ModernSlavery #ScotlandExpansion 

As part of Business in the Community, we took part in a round-table today with Minister for Equalities, Seema Malhotra FRSA, Deloitte, and other businesses including PwC and Pertemps Network Group, to discuss addressing race and disability inequality in the workplace.    Our Head of Colleague Experience, Rebekah Smallwood, was our representative at the event.    As steps to make ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting mandatory for many businesses move forward, we continue to look for new ways to ensure we are a fair, ethical and inclusive employer for all our colleagues.

At Your Co-op, we’re proud to support colleagues through GroceryAid. If you're feeling the pressures this Blue Monday, you can get expert advice through GroceryAid's partnership with StepChange and take control of your finances. Have a look at the link below ⬇️

Are you looking for your next opportunity? 💭 At Your Co-op, we’re always looking for people to join our teams across Food, Childcare, Travel and Support Services. Whether you’re beginning your career or considering the next stage in your development, we have opportunities waiting for you. Take a look on our careers website and find your next role with us here: https://lnkd.in/e85T3FBv #newrole #jobopportunities #career

Our members make the difference, your support for The Midcounties Co-operative changes lives! Thanks to you, we’re proud to contribute to organisations fostering wellness and healthy habits in their local communities 👏 From updating equipment and new kits for youth sport in for Bletchingdon Youth Football and Community Sports Foundation CiC in Gloucestershire, to supporting The Getting Fit Company in their mission to improve the physical, mental and social fitness of their communities – and helping support the growth of organisations like SLAM! Basketball club to develop new sporting talent. Together, we’re helping communities to get active. Your support makes this possible 🤝 Learn more https://lnkd.in/eauTGBbi #CommunityImpact #DoingGoodTogether #Cooperation

2025 marks the International Year of Co-operatives (ICY2025), a global initiative aimed at recognising and promoting the invaluable contributions of co-operatives to sustainable development, economic inclusion, and community resilience.   IYC2025 provides a platform to celebrate the scale of the co-operative movement, while also fostering growth and raising public awareness about the transformative potential of co-operatives. This includes how Co-operatives worldwide play a vital role in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – from empowering local communities to promoting sustainable economic practices, co-operatives demonstrate the power of collective action.   In the UK, the government has committed to doubling the size of the co-operative sector, a bold goal that reflects the growing recognition of co-operatives as a key driver of inclusive economic growth.   To support this vision, the Midcounties Co-operative has pledged to support the creation of 50 new co-operatives, over a five-year period, working with partner organisations such as Co-operative Futures and Plunkett UK.   Together, we can amplify the impact of co-operatives and create a sustainable, inclusive future for all.   Find out more - https://lnkd.in/exDPGHM2   #ICY2025 #cooperation #doinggoodtogether

Together, we've made 2024 a year to remember! 🚀 Watch how with our members support we’ve fuelled incredible achievements and set the stage for an even brighter future ✨ #2024Highlights #DoingGoodTogether #TheMidcountiesCooperative #Cooperation

This year marks the 180th since the first co-op opened its doors in Rochdale. Since that first store began to serve Rochdale in 1844, co-operatives have been powerful vehicles for hope, peace and community throughout the UK and around the world. To help continue that commitment into co-operatives’ third century, we have collaborated with other leading UK co-operatives to launch the International Co-operative Development Fund (ICDF) which will be supporting communities around the world in times of disaster or crisis to rebuild and foster peace. Co-operatives have a unique ability to bring people together, to learn together, and to do good together with and for the communities they serve. We are looking forward to the next 180 years of co-operation and the bright future of co-operatives! You can learn more about the ICDF here: https://lnkd.in/e3AzhgZz #Cooperation #DoingGoodTogether

A festive day at Co-op House!🎄 We want to say a huge thank you to all who joined in the Christmas fun this Wednesday. It was great to get into the Christmas spirit and celebrate with everyone. There were many Christmas jumpers, a delicious Christmas dinner, the annual Your Co-op Christmas Quiz, an office bake off, guess the sweets in the jar and other competitions! Collectively we raised over £600 for our community charity partner Young People First. A big thank you to the Regional Community Team for organising such a wonderful day, we can’t wait to celebrate again soon! 🎅🏼🎄 #christmasatyourcoop #christmasfun #community