Our Co-op came to you & you & you & you this autumn

In October, we welcomed hundreds of members to our Co-op Corner Cafés and pop-up events in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester, while our Member Activators hosted over 120 local events and engaged with more than 7,700 Co-op Members across the UK. For those that couldn’t join us in person, we also ran online conversations.

Members have told us they want to see their communities thrive again and – as we are always in your corner – we wanted to work together to help do just that.

Members attended in-store and local events in their communities to find out more about the Co-op they own, share ideas to help us make a difference locally, and stand up for the people and places we serve.

Gavin Rasmussen, Member Activator for North West Wales, tells us all about the autumn events he hosted at the St Asaph Parish Church Community Fridge and the Chocolate Festival of Wales.

Bringing the community together in St Asaph

More than 50 members of the community attended St Asaph Parish Church for one of our special autumn events on 5 October – held in conjunction with the St Asaph Community Fridge. This event was a wonderful reminder of what makes our Co-op so special and what we’re doing to help our communities thrive.

The Community Fridge collects and redistributes surplus food from our Co-op Food stores in St Asaph, Denbigh, and Bodelwyddan. This not only reduces food waste but also provides a warm and welcoming space where local people can gather over a hot drink and a snack and connect with others in their community.

Members share their thoughts on our products

One of the highlights of the day was our food tasting and feedback session, where Co-op Member Owners sampled our Co-op Irresistible All Butter Cookies – from the melt-in-the-mouth Shortbread Rounds to new favourites like Salted Caramel and Blonde Chocolate Cookies.

Members were invited to share their thoughts on flavour, texture, and packaging, helping shape the future of Co-op’s Irresistible range. It was a great opportunity to showcase how our products are developed with member input at their heart. This was reflected in the feedback, with 100% of those who shared their thoughts saying they wanted tasting sessions at local community or in-store events like this one.

Building digital confidence with other co-operatives

We were also joined by Digital Confidence Denbighshire – a co-operative that helps people feel more comfortable navigating the digital world, from using email and staying safe online to exploring apps. For many in attendance, this boost in digital confidence will make it easier to access tools like the Co-op App in the future.

Strengthening local connections

The atmosphere at the Community Fridge highlighted what I love about Co-op events: members chatting together, local co-operatives supporting one another, and people leaving feeling more connected to their community. We also know our members love to learn more about their Co-op at events like these because they’ve told us that member education is important to them.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their views, and supported their local Co-op. Events like these remind us that when we come together – whether through food, conversation, or learning – we can make a real difference in our communities. It’s also heart-warming to hear that members appreciate having a safe and friendly community with everything on their doorstep, including their Co-op which is convenient and easy to access with great colleagues.

What members had to say

“I regularly attend the Community Fridge – it is a great way to save a bit of money while helping stop good food from ending up in landfill. I loved sampling the Co-op Irresistible biscuits and chatting with neighbours over a cup of tea. Having Digital Confidence Denbighshire there was brilliant too – it has given me a boost to try more things online.”

“First time trying the Irresistible All Butter cookie range – wow! Gorgeous!”

Celebrating community at the Chocolate Festival of Wales

My second autumn event took place at the vibrant Chocolate Festival of Wales, where the spirit of community was just as rich as the chocolate we shared.

I had the pleasure of engaging with around 60 member-owners, offering samples from our Fairtrade Chocolate for Change range and sparking meaningful conversations about how members can help shape the future of Co-op products.

The event was a celebration of connection, conversation, and community. Your presence reminds us why we do what we do.

What’s next?

The feedback from our local events – along with what we’ve heard online and at our national pop-ups – will help us take action on what our members care about and will also influence how we support our communities to thrive with a Co-op they feel connected to in the future. Look out for further updates on what we heard and the steps we’re taking in the coming months.

Dates for your diary

Look out for Celebration events taking place in your local area between 19 – 22 November. Member Activators will again be hosting local events as we celebrate local causes and community projects doing amazing work across the UK, thanks to support from Co-op Members. Find an event near you here.

Find out more about our Member Activators or contact the Member Activator in your region by using our online directory.