Co-operate has been a long time coming, but it's here now - are you ready?

Submitted by Linzi Nedoszytko on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 12:16

Nathan Brown of Olmec won the Co-operatives Fortnight Check-in Challenge using the Co-operate app. Checking into five co-operative stores, nath_brown tweeted photos to @CooperativesUK account, of the outlets he visited and promoted to his Twitter followers.

Nathan chose to spend his £50 voucher at October Books, based in Southampton.

Needed birthday card so went to October Books. great selection. Used Co-operate app @CooperativesUK #coops2012 #coops pic.twitter.com/bZmWQA4T

Learn more about Nathan's experience using the Co-operate app.

'Co-operate has been a long time coming. As long as I have been actively involved in promoting and developing co-operatives, one of the great "wants" has been a way to enable us to maximise our spending within the movement - creating a virtuous circle. "Wouldn't it be great if we had a directory?", "Does anyone know if there is a co-op nearby that does......?" Well now it is here. Co-operate is easy to use. I hit the button on my smartphone and it tells me where the nearest co-ops are, in order of how close they are. Or I can search by the services/products they offer, again the results being returned in order of how close they are. So, when I needed a bank, Co-operate led me to the Co-op down the road from work. And if you need to check any more details like opening times, a phone number or email address enables you to contact them.

Browsing through the listings at home I was amazed to find that just down my road was a media co-op. I had heard of them before, and even been interviewed by them but they had kept very quiet about the fact they were a co-op. And below them in the listings were names of some familiar co-ops. But Co-operate isn't just for co-op "geeks", it is a really easy user friendly way to find the gems that are often hidden away. Especially with the recent banking crisis and the success of Move Your Money UK, the timing couldn't be better in enabling people to find their nearest Co-op Bank or mutual building society so they can get their money shifted.

Moving in familiar circles I didn't find too many new coops during Co-operatives Fortnight but the Co-operate App will really come into its own when we are travelling around in the summer. When we want to pick up some food we know that all the best wholefood shops and cafes are co-ops so Co-operate will be our guide. The only thing Co-operate doesn't have is the ability to plan ahead if you are visiting somewhere by putting in a postcode. You have to be in the vicinity to check what is nearby, but that is no bad thing. Sometimes it is nice to have a pleasent surprise - and as long as you can find a mobile signal, it takes no time at all!'

What are you waiting for? Download Co-operate today, and take part in the Move your money challenge.

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International Year of Cooperatives

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Co-operate has been a long time coming, but it's here now - are you ready?