Meet our funders #2 – Your Co-op (The Midcounties Co-operative)

Your Co-op is a family of businesses operated by The Midcounties Co-operatve and has been involved in Co-op Loan Fund ever since the fund was set up in 2002.

The name Midcounties Co-operative was first used in 2005 following the merger of Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op with West Midlands Co-op. Both societies had been instrumental in the setting up of Co-op Loan Fund.

Your Co-op can trace its roots back to 1853 when the Swindon Co-operative Society was established. Soon afterwards co-op societies were started in Gloucester, Walsall, Chipping Norton, Oxford and Cinderford. There were dozens of co-op societies in the west midlands by the end of the nineteenth century. Slowly these societies began to merge and by the end of the twentieth century there were only two: Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op and West Midlands Co-op.

Nowadays Your Co-op operates a range of succesful and award winning businesses in various sectors including: Your Co-op Broadband (The UK’s Only Co-operative Telecoms Supplier), Your Co-op Business Solutions, Your Co-op Childcare, Your Co-op Energy, Your Co-op Food, Your Co-op Mobile, Your Co-op Travel and over 70 Post offices operating in the mid-counties area.

Supporting local people and community projects is one of the guiding principles of Your Co-op and because they are owned by their members, the members decide who needs help the most. Your Community Fund for example makes £500 grants available to projects making a real difference in local communities. Your Co-op’s Food Bank Christmas Appeal also helps provide vital support for local food bank partners and their recipients during the festive season which is difficult for many people.

Your Co-op has also supported the growth of Fairtrade for 28 years and has put the environment, climate change and their own ecological impact at the heart of everything they do. We are proud to have Your Co-op as a funder, fellow co-operator, and supporter.

Making a donation

Co-op Loan Fund welcomes donations from any co-operative that wants to support the work of the fund. Co-operatives that make donations of over £50,000 may appoint a representative to the board if they wish. Co-operatives making small donations will also benefit from publicity. If you wish to discuss making a donation please contact us today.