Co-ops are a gift that gives back, no matter the nature of the business, the size, or the location

and here in Sandbach this couldn't be more true.

Once a year, Co-ops of all shapes and sizes come together to show the power of cooperation

during Co-op Fortnight. In 2022, Co-op Fortnight takes place from Monday 20 June to

Sunday 3 July.

In Sandbach the four Co-ops – Lawton Way, Middlewich Road, The Hill and Saxon Cross,

are right at the heart of the community.

During the next two weeks, our four Co-ops will be continuing to sow the seeds of change

and helping to lay new foundations and paths for the local community.

The Co-op has launched the #UnwrapCoops campaign for the fortnight.

#UnwrapCoops will harness the power of stories to give members the chance to celebrate the

Positive influence their co-op has had on their lives.

Celebrating creates an irresistible energy. Sharing people's successes inspires others to take

part. Stories emotionally engage people and creates interest in #WhyCoops are great for

everyone.

Co-ops are owned by the people closest to the business, not distant investors. This means

beyond profits, co-ops focus how they bring value to their members and community.

Our four Co-ops – Lawton Way, Middlewich Road, The Hill and Saxon Cross - have been

been life-changing to the community of Sandbach.

Each year, three Sandbach groups or organisations benefit from The Co-op's Local

Community Fund.

When Co-op members buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p for every £1 they

spend goes into their Co-op Membership account and the Co-op give the same amount to

support community organisations and local causes.

In December, three local causes shared a bumper £18,658.30 from the Co-op's Local

Community Fund.

One of the groups to benefit from this amazing scheme were children at St John's Church of

England Primary School in Sandbach Heath.

The outdoor classroom at St John's Church of England Primary school

The school received £6,287.42 to build an outside greenhouse classroom and path in the

sow and grow area.

Children regularly use the outside classroom for a variety of work and the project has been a

huge success.

Another group to benefit was the Sandbach School and Sixth Form College's CAUC Electric

Car team.

They received £5,905.30 to help build a new streamline electric car.

Residents at a home in Sandbach for adults with physical disabilities were given the chance

to enjoy a cinema experience thanks to the same fund.

Hill House Leonard Cheshire Home received £6,465.88, half the cost of a large screen home

cinema system, including a projector, screen and sound system, for film nights.

David Hursthouse, Hill House's Assistive Technology Project Manager, said he was "bowled

over" by the generosity of the Co-op's members.

"The fact that they selected our cause is brilliant," said David. For the past three years, Hill

House has been bringing new life changing technologies to residents, introducing both

specialist and commercially available accessible technology to make it a 'Centre of

Excellence'.

And this year, youngsters at Sandbach United Football Club and Elworth Hall School

Association (the PTA for Elworth Hall Primary School) will benefit.

Elworth Hall Primary School is using the money to build a sensory garden – showing once

more how the Co-op helps to sow the seeds of change and breathe new life into the local

community with a diverse range of projects.

The Co-op is a gift that keeps on giving and during Co-op Fortnight we will be showing how

the Co-op literally 'wraps' its arms around the community, providing the seeds of change.

Become a member of the Co-op today and receive £3 off a £10 shop. https://www.coop.co.uk/membership?gclid=CjwKCAjw-8qVBhANEiwAfjXLrvSqfnu5ecT_2AXBhudUskDEldXl_LMPccITRxPSME6hPUks34WA2hoCJYoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

When a new member joins the Co-op using theCo-op Appfrom now until – 12 July, they will

receive a digital offer for £3 off, when they spend £10 or more in our food stores.*

*Offer excludes alcohol, fuel, lottery and stamps. Members can buy excluded items in the

same transaction,&bsp;but the total of their basket needs to be £10 without them for the offer to

work. Full Terms & Conditions can be foundhere