Small things, Big Difference

We're a relatively small business compared to the 'big guys' but we know small things can make a big difference.

You probably know us best from popping to your local Co-op Daily food store, but there's much more to us than that.

Here are just a few stories from our members, customers, colleagues and suppliers that show how little things are making a big impact.

Co-op Guide to Dating

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Jack Brock, Dementia Ambassador

Our friend Jack Brock is a fun-loving pony with a serious mission – to help support people affected by dementia.

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Blue Cross Rehoming Centre

Charlotte and Becky were greeted with some very waggy tails when they visited the Blue Cross Suffolk rehoming centre to deliver a hamper full of goodies

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Santa's Suitcase

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Norwich Foodbank

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Michael Coe, Great Tilkey Honey

Michael started out with only one hive and with our help he now has a thriving business and is part of our Sourced Locally range and winner of Producer of the Year 2017.

Watch Michael's story

Co-op Juniors Theatre Company

We've supported the Co-op Juniors for over 70 years, bringing thousands of young people together and helping their dreams come true.

Watch the Co-op Juniors' story

Scott, our Anti-Social Behaviour Officer

We reduced anti-social behaviour near one of our stores, by talking with local children about the impact of such behaviours on our communities.

Read Scott's story

Rebecca Miles, Lane Farm

Rebecca and her family are true champions of local and have been producing delicious bacon, ham and sausages for our stores over the last 10 years. 

Read Rebecca's story

Sam Fairs, Hillfarm Oils

The Fairs family have been farming in Suffolk since 1967 and share our passion for high quality, local produce. They’ve been part of our Sourced Locally family for 10 years. 

Read Sam Fairs' story

Simon Alders, Recovery Hub Ipswich

When the Recovery Hub, an innovative addiction treatment centre, needed new premises we offered a building plus help with rent and set-up costs to get them started.

Read Simon's story

Lisa Lightly, Tiptree Travel

Nominated for a Travel Award wasn’t the best but for our Tiptree colleagues, it was the reaction from the local community that meant the most.

Read Lisa's story

Michael Davies, Funeral Repatriation

Michael Davies works in our Funeral Services team, specializing in repatriation of those who have passed away abroad. Michael’s training other colleagues to help understand this complex process.

Read Michael's story

Evelyn Rutter, Funeral Bereavement Support

We provide bereavement services across Essex and Suffolk for anyone who has lost a loved one and needs some extra support. We are here for you as long as you need us.

Read Evelyn's story

Ann Osborn, Rural Coffee Caravan

We have donated over 8,000 teabags through our Co-op Cuppa scheme, helping the Rural Coffee Caravan tackle rural isolation in their communities.

Read Ann's story

Emma Tacon, The Tacons Farm

The Tacon family work closely with us to minimise food waste, agreeing volumes of their fresh produce to be supplied to our store

Read Emma's story

Julie Preston, Member

Our store in Colman Road looked out for Julie’s mum, a regular customer who was suffering with dementia. Letting Julie know if things were ok and helping her mum stay in her own home for longer.

Read Julie's story

Lorraine, one of our Sourced Locally demonstrators

Lorraine’s enthusiasm during her Sourced Locally instore food demonstrations meant she generated over 4,000 customer votes for our Producer of the Year campaign on her own!

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Gary Chase, Building Services

When the hospice needed to move a shed to improve accessible parking Gary, Lewis and Chris from our Building Services team lent a helping hand.

Read Gary's story

Steven Fendley, Waste Management

Our environment is important to us. 100% of our food waste recycled, most of which is converted to biogas to create electricity.

Read Stephen's story

Susan Coulson, Chorus Iceni

We’ve helped fund this all-female barbershop Chorus, enabling them to perform and entertain hundreds of local people from all walks of life.

Read Susan's story

Colleagues supporting our community

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There are things that we do because...

...we’re passionately local

 

 

 

 

Like our award winning Sourced Locally initiative which supports local producers, helps grow our local economy and delivers fantastic fresh produce to our stores.

...we're practical

 

Like paying our suppliers on time; a big difference for a small local business. Or working towards making all our colleagues trained Dementia Friends; a big difference to our shoppers and their families. And only buying energy from green sources; a big difference to our environment.