Co-operatives recognised for outstanding contributions to their communities

The recognition was to celebrate York Supplies, Coalville C.A.N. and Flo’s – the Place in the Park’s contribution to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The goals, adopted in 2015 by countries globally with the target of 2030, address 17 different areas that will positively impact people, communities and the environment.

• York Supplies has used the co-operative model to save and democratically run a community business, which helps the UN goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
• Flo's – The Place in the Park is a community spaces that runs activities specifically focused on the well-being of the local community, which helps the UN goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being or all at all ages.
• Coalville C.A.N.’s purpose is to ensure decent work and employment to all and has supported young people into employment, which supports the UN goal to promote and offer full and productive employment and decent work for all.

York Supplies, Coalville C.A.N. and Flo’s – the Place in the Park were recognised in a report published which reflected on nearly 10 years of the Business Support for Co-ops programme – delivered by Co-operatives UK in partnership with grant funding from The Co-operative Bank totalling £3.2m since 2016. 

The programme has played a critical role in co-operative development for almost a decade. While the main activity has been a business support offer for new and existing co-operatives – supporting more than 4,000 organisations. The funding has delivered a fantastic range of activities additionally. Including: resources and digital tools; free workshops and webinars; and innovative tech and digital pathways, including a business accelerator.

The Co-operative Bank’s co-operative values and ethics have underpinned their approach to banking since they were established in 1872. As a business with deep and historic roots in the co-operative movement, they have enshrined co-operative values into how they operate. Their unique, customer-led Ethical Policy, which has been informed by the views of over 370,000 of their customers since 1992, guides how the bank does business and what issues it will campaign on. The Co‑operative Bank offers everyday community banking to co‑operatives through their Charity and Community Bank Account– an ethical way to bank for free. 

The UK authority on co-operatives, Co-operatives UK empowers co-operative enterprises with expert governance, HR, training, and legal support. It champions the co-operative model, enabling fair, sustainable, and member-owned businesses to thrive.

Jane Charlesworth, Board Member and Treasurer, York Supplies Community Society, said:

"We’re proud to be recognised by The Co-operative Bank for our contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We've been able to build on the community relationships we inherited from Jon Jaffa, the previous owner of York Supplies, including formalising and expanding our allotment discount scheme and extending it to community gardens and school gardening projects. Our community engagement committee convener, David, has been busy talking to lots of people to see how York Supplies can help their gardening projects and together we're building a mycelium of connections across the community.

“After a challenging first year of running the shop, it is an honour to win this award and have all our hard work recognised on the first anniversary of the co-operative getting the keys to the business.” 

Harry Jerome, Secretary of Coalville C.A.N., said:

"It was fantastic to be invited to the Co-op Retail Conference and receive the award. We've been working hard to support our local community in Coalville, and a big part of that has been giving young people the opportunity to volunteer and train with us, including support to move from volunteering to paid roles with other organisations, such as local schools and even a central co-op store.

“Now we can proudly display our award and celebrate our contribution towards the 8th UN Sustainable Development Goal – promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all."

Melissa Latchman, Communities Manager from Flo’s – the Place in the Park, said:

“It's a great feeling for Flo's to be honoured with this award recognising the contributions our health and wellbeing work is making towards the achievement of SDGs. We really appreciate all the support!"

James Wright, Policy Lead at Co-operatives UK said:

"It was fantastic to be able to celebrate these amazing co-operatives and the contributions they make to their communities. And, in the UN Year of Co-operatives, to use this opportunity to showcase how co-operatives support the United Nation's sustainable goals – something our movement is committed – was really special. We're so grateful to the Bank for its grant funding, which means we can support many co-operatives like these, who do great things to build stronger, fairer communities."

Find out more

• Find out about support available through the Business Support for Co-ops programme
• Find out about the United Nations-declared International Year of Co-operatives 2025