2025 is a special year for Coop Fortnight as it falls in the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives and this year’s theme is #CoopHeroes.
We know co-operation is key to making a difference to local communities, so we want to take some time over Co-op Fortnight to celebrate and highlight some of our inspiring Co-op Heroes who are the living proof that co-operatives make a huge positive difference in the world.
Meet our green-fingered hero Co-op Member Clemence from Exeter. Clemence set up and runs St Thomas community garden helping the planet and her local community by reducing Food waste and carbon emissions.
“Our work focuses on using kitchen ‘waste’ and turning it into compost for our gardens, a great resource to grow our own local food and to build a circular economy,” says Clemence.
“We want to reduce food waste in the garden too by harvesting as much as possible and using or eating part of vegetables that are often not eaten – for instance, the green of the leek is delicious but is often thrown away. If a lettuce has bolted and can’t be eaten, we can cook it in soup or use it as a mulch in the garden.”
Clemence also runs Zero Mile Gardens CIC, a project that is currently part of our Co-op Local Community Fund, which aims to develop a network of thriving and self-sufficient food-growing spaces in the neighbourhood.
“We run volunteer sessions and events around the issues of food, social justice and environment as well as workshops and community activities.”
Clemence Scalbert, Co-op Member
Meet our community spirited hero Geraldine, a Member Activator from Hertfordshire who connects with other members and her local community to learn what’s important to them while also collaborating and connecting them together for mutual support to make change locally.
“I love my role as a Member Activator because I get to meet directly with members, colleagues, and community groups across Hertfordshire to talk to them about all aspects of Co-op Membership – including our member prices, ethical commitments, and ownership benefits of having a say in how and what we do.
“I spend much of my time in Food stores, Funeralcare homes and engaging with member-owners in groups in the local community to hear what’s important to them while also collaborating and connecting them together for mutual support.
Geraldine Strohm, Co-op Member Activator
“I see this as the best way for me to really bring to life Co-op’s vision of co-operating to build more value for our members every day.”
Last year Geraldine set up the Hertfordshire Co-operative Action Network (Herts-CAN). The forum concentrates on bringing members together with like-minded groups and organisations to tackle local and national issues.
Since setting up the forum, she has achieved so much from helping to provide food, entertainment and Christmas gifts for children who would not otherwise have been able to celebrate. Geraldine also hosted educational Fairtrade events and ran chatty chair sessions during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Gareth Harper, Managing Director of Peace Players – a Co-op Local Community Fund Cause in Northern Ireland – is part of a team of Co-op Heroes. Every day, Gareth and his dedicated colleagues use the power of sport, especially basketball, to break down barriers and build bridges between young people aged 9 to 25 who are growing up amidst the continued challenges of religious division, prejudice, and sectarianism.
“We’re incredibly proud to play a part in creating opportunities for young people to come together, challenge stereotypes, and build mutual respect and understanding across historically divided communities in Northern Ireland. It’s not just about basketball, it’s about shaping a more peaceful and inclusive future, one relationship at a time. By working together and fostering collaboration, we can help build a more prosperous, united, and shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland.”
Gareth Harper, Co-op Local Community Fund cause
Do you know any Co-op Heroes?
If you know a Co-op Hero in your community, please share their story on your own social media platforms during Co-op Fortnight and throughout the rest of the International Year of Co-operatives. Don’t forget to tag @coopuk #CoopHeroes.
Chance to win £50
Take part in our ‘Co-op or not a co-op? Play to win’ Join in opportunity to find out more about Co-ops and how they differ from other organisations and be in with a chance of winning £50 on your membership card.
More in Community
Members discover the difference they make at our Co-op’s Right By You events
Our Member Activators supported more than 100 Co-op’s Right By You events across the UK in September, bringing members together to highlight the difference they make by choosing Co-op. Members discovered the impact of their everyday choices, learned about the positive change they’re helping to create and explored actions they can take to make an…
Join us at a Co-op’s Right By You event this September
Throughout September, our Member Activators will be hosting and supporting over 100 Co-op’s Right By You events across the UK with chances to try great products and get money off. When you buy Co-op products as a Co-op Member, you can be sure we’re doing right by you. Fair prices and offers that help you…
Join Stefan & Beth at your local Ashton-on-Mersey Community Event
Pop along to your local Co-op Ashton-on-Mersey community event I’m Stefan, your Member Activator, and I’d like to personally invite you to join me and Beth, your Store Manager, at our upcoming member event at your local Ashton-on-Mersey Co-op store. As a Co-op Member, you’re part of something bigger than a membership card. Co-op is…