The East of England Co-operative Society is working with two Suffolk schools to lead an exciting social enterprise initiative.

The Society has teamed up with Stowmarket and Stowupland High Schools to run an eight day social enterprise project with Year 10 students.  The Society’s Education Development Department is also working in partnership with trainers co-operative 1st Question and Team-Ed, the Education Business Consortium for Suffolk, as well as the Co-op’s food store in Combs Ford.

The students will participate in a training programme learning about different types of businesses and co-operative enterprises, and by working co-operatively together will set up and run their own co-operative enterprise under a café banner. 

The Café/Shop will be located outside the East of England Co-op’s food Store in Combs Ford and will trade on Friday 3rd July between 11am – 2pm.   The students will not only learn how to set up and run their co-operative business, but will also learn the skills of co-operation through working together and team work. With 1st Question trainers and employees at the Combs Ford store, the students will source goods and equipment for the trading day. They will run a small café and also sell products they have manufactured with any profits made going to charity.

Pam Walker, Education Development Officer for the East of England Co-operative Society said: “We all learn best by doing and we really hope these young people have a great experience of setting up and running their own co-operative business, and realise that, by working together, they can achieve a huge amount.

“Do please come along between 11am and 2pm on 3rd July, have a bit of lunch, do some shopping and support these young people who will be working hard to make their co-operative business a success.”

Notes to Editors

The East of England Co-operative Society is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia and has over 200 trading outlets which are located in 73 towns and villages, plus the three regional centres of Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester.

The Society’s diverse business activities include: food stores and supermarkets, department and home stores, jewellery, travel, pharmacy, optical and funeral branches, petrol forecourts and motor dealerships.  

For further information:
Pam Walker, Education Development Officer, East of England Co-operative Society
Tel: 01473 280316
Email: p.walker@eastofengland.coop
www.eastofengland.coop

Or

Andrea Coptcoat, Administrative Officer
1st Question Co-operative
Tel: 01473 280316
Email: 1stQuestion@eastofengland.coop

Or

Miriam Harrup, Communications Manager, East of England Co-operative Society
Wherstead Park, The Street, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2BJ
Email: m.harrup@eastofengland.coop