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

For 2022, the annual Co-op fortnight takes place from Monday 20 June to Sunday 3 July.

This year, the Co-op is doing something a little different that is uplifting and truly engaging.

It is celebrating the diversity of the Co-op network so that everyone can see there is plenty of space to join the team.

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

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

#UnwrapCoops gives members the chance to celebrate the positive influence their Co-op has had on their lives.

#UnwrapsCoops will harness the power of stories and give members the chance to celebrate the positive influence their Co-op has on their lives.

Sharing people's success inspires others to take part. Stories emotionally engage people and creates interest in #WhyCoops are great for everyone.

During the Co-op fortnight, the company is going to broadcast its members' stories to inspire people's lives.

There are plenty to choose from because co-operatives are some of the biggest undiscovered successes in the UK – worth £40bn to the UK economy.

During the Co-op Fortnight, the company will broadcast its members' stories to inspire people's lives.

Because they are owned and run by the people that need them, they're more resilient than other forms of business.

Co-ops are owned by the people closest to the business – not distant investors.

This means beyond profits, Co-ops focus on how they bring value to their members and community.

People are the heart of what the Co-op does, and these people have intriguing stories to tell.

Teddington's Co-op has been working with local causes throughout the area and across London to ensure those in need are being given a helping hand

Sasheela Ajithkumar is the community coordinator at Teddington's Co-op and ensures it is creating innovative ways to help the local community.

Regular raffles are hosted to raise funds for the mental health charity, Mind – one of Co-op's national charity partners.

Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets for 50p when paying for items at the checkout to stand a chance of winning a series of eye-catching prizes. Previous raffles have helped to raise £300 plus in donations which have then been donated directly to Mind related causes.

Teddington's Co-op community coordinator Sasheela Ajithkumar raising funds for local causes through their regular raffles.

During Co-op fortnight Sasheela says they are promoting their membership cards.

When customers become a Co-op member at the Teddington branch, 2p for every pound spent on Co-op branded products goes onto their membership card.

The Co-op then gives the same amount to community organisations and local causes.

Age Link, a local charity working to prevent loneliness and isolation amongst the elderly, and Trussel Trust Foodbank, are causes that frequently benefit from £250 cheques that have been accumulated through funds raised from Teddington Co-op's membership points, underlining the power of cooperation to help those in need.

Age Link's annual Christmas party is a big date in the calendar for the charity and its members.

Fundraising from the Co-op in Teddington has helped pay for entertainment including professional singers and dancers to attend celebrations, as well as group boat rides on the River Thames, making the festive celebrations ones to remember.

In addition to the food basket placed next to the checkouts, which encourages customers to donate what they can, cheques have been used from membership points to deliver substantial food deliveries to the Trussel Trust food bank in Epsom, where Sasheela is a weekly volunteer.

Sasheela's relationship with Head of Partnership at the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA), Sharon Evans, epitomises Co-ops pledge to supporting local charitable causes.

ACAA is a grassroots charity working with Afghans and Central Asians living away from their homeland, providing them with support, skills and knowledge to live and prosper in the UK.

The charity's wide range of services includes English language classes, employment workshops, a women's support group, youth and family support services and a Saturday school and homework club.

Sharon is a Teddington resident and built up a friendship with Sasheela on visits to do her local shop at Co-op.

When Sasheela became aware of Sharon's association with ACAA, the Co-op community coordinator ensured food donations were regularly passed on to the charity.

Refugees and asylum seekers have been temporarily located in hotels across Teddington and Kingston until permanent housing can be sourced, and three meals are provided per day, with dinner served at 5pm.

A kitchen within ACAA's office based in Feltham is able to facilitate up to 80 people, and the charity cooks daily for the various attendees they have coming in for group sessions, classes and communal activities. 

ACAA volunteers hard at work in the charity's kitchen

Donations from Teddington's Co-op have been vital in keeping meal plans fresh and vibrant and giving those attending the charity's base a sense of the culture they have left behind.

ACAA has also been a direct beneficiary of the Co-op's Community Fridge programme, designed to help aid charities in their day-to-day services.

ACAA members with UK rapper and tv personality star Big Zuu as they receive their new fridge from Co-ops community fridge programme.

To discover more on Co-op Fortnight and the intriguing stories that reflect the company's campaign, visit their website here.

Become a member of the Co-op today and receive £3 off a £10 shop.

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, but the total of their basket needs to be £10 without them for the offer to work. Full Terms & Conditions can be found here.