Meet local game changers making a difference

Local gamechangers bring people together to tackle big issues Co-op members and their communities care about. They work to make communities a little bit fairer for everyone, whether this is through bringing their community together, spending time volunteering or by choosing a local cause to support.

Meet some of our local gamechangers to find out about the work they do, how they got started and their advice for those who are interested in volunteering.

Donna

Donna works at the Lighthouse Pantry, one of our membership-based pantry in Middleton.
We set up pantry’s in December 2018 to help local families and individuals reduce their weekly food costs, so they could have more money in their household to cover other bills or needs.

What’s a typical day like at the Lighthouse Pantry?

A typical day starts around 7:30am when I collect the donations for our food pantry. Then, we get the building ready for the day, making sure it’s clean and ready for our visitors when we open at 9:30am.
The pantry is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We also have our café which is open every day and we have a number of social activities, booked sessions and appointments, so it’s full steam ahead each day! Plus, we have
deliveries throughout the day which need to be received and put out into our pantry. There’s a lot to do so the day goes by really fast.

Why is it important for you to help others in your community?

It’s really important to help our community and offer a one-stop shop for people so they’re not lost in the system attending numerous appointments all over the borough. We, as a community hub, have pretty much everything under one roof and are able to signpost to other agencies or services like debt management and cooking classes if need be, so no one ever leaves us without their issue or question being unanswered or sorted. We all live in the Middleton area, so we understand the issues many face, and a lot of us have had our own experiences which means we’re well equipped to deal with many things.

How has volunteering made an impact on your life?

Volunteering was something I always wanted to do, but with full-time work, I never had time to commit to it. When my circumstances changed after the loss of my mum, my dad and my uncle within a year, I found myself lost and in a bad place. They asked me to volunteer at the
Lighthouse and this changed my life and my whole perspective.
It was an absolute lifesaver for me and gave me a purpose after a great loss in my life. I was able to be around people who supported me and kept me going through a really difficult time.
From volunteering, I applied for a full-time role at the Lighthouse. I’ve worked for the police, the NHS and the council, and I can honestly say that I’ve never been happier in a job. My role here is so rewarding and very humbling on a daily basis. I feel truly blessed to be a part of the Lighthouse project and family.

Jo

Meet Jo, who works for the legal services team in Co-op Manchester.
How are you involved with your community?

I support fundraising in the Manchester part of Co-op legal services. Manchester is the heart and soul of Co-op and it’s vital to get involved and do your bit to help the community.

I’ve recently attended an event in Leeds, where we spoke about how legal services can be promoted via the Co-op Member Pioneer network. I’m also about to begin working with our charity partner to see how we can introduce more work opportunities for young people.

Why is it important for you to help others?

My husband calls it my ‘superhero pants’. It’s just in my nature, it’s who I am. For me, it’s about being the best human I can be. And so no one could ever say she could have done that, but she didn’t.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming more involved in their community?

Go for it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s a cliché, but you only ever regret the things you don’t do. One small simple gesture that takes nothing of your time might just be the best thing that happened to another person – be that a cup of coffee, a conversation or even
just a simple smile. Be the difference, because you can be.

Samuel

Meet Samuel, a Co-op Member Pioneer coordinator.

What’s your role?

As a Co-op Member Pioneer co-ordinator, I support ten Co-op Member Pioneers who work to make a difference in their local communities.
Co-op Member Pioneers are local game changers who use their knowledge and connections to work with Co-op colleagues and the wider community. This could be by communicating information about Co-op’s Local Community Fund, connecting local groups to store and Funeralcare and by bringing together local organisations to make positive decisions in their community.

What initially inspired you to get more involved with your community?

I started off as a Member Pioneer myself. This was back in 2020 when our communities were crying out for support and connection. Through my role as a Member Pioneer, I got to know my community better and I connected with local groups which led me to work on some fantastic projects that made a positive impact.

Why is it important for you to help others?

Outside of my role, I believe helping others is an essential part of living in a community. If we can’t take time out to support family, friends, neighbours and strangers, then communities will cease to exist. I enjoy working for Coop because its foundations were built on ethics that are in line with this.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming more involved in their community?

I would say go and join a local forum. Most communities already have local meetings set up where people can connect and find out how they can support their local community.

Volunteering is also a great place to start. By going out there, you’ll discover opportunities and support networks that you never knew existed.

Our local gamechangers are powered by Co-op members.
Every time you buy Co-op branded products or scan your membership card, you raise money to support amazing work in communities across the UK.

Learn more about local gamechangers and discover how you can use
your time, skills and enthusiasm to make a direct impact in your community and beyond.

We can connect you with groups that need support, help you choose a cause or find where volunteers are needed in your local area. We also
offer community grants, financial support and assistance for Co-op members’ causes with our local community funds. Find out how you can apply here.