Here's a quick update from Chorlton and District Co-ops  (formerly Chorlton Co-op Cluster) - organised by and for local co-ops and co-op members.

Stayin' Alive - now Stayin' Inside

The camapaign is still up and running and consulting with local people on what they would like to see happen in the Chrolton Picture House (Co-op Funeralcare).

The survey runs until 2 May so make sure you contribute.

Complete the Survey

Chorlton Coronavirus Community Response

Chorlton Coronavirus Community Response is a Facebook page where people are organising help for the most vulnerable people in the community. If you're a Facebook user you can see it here

Key information from the group:

Here is a map of the local support groups

And here is a list

And here is a form to give information about a group that isn't listed

(you can see these even if you're not a Facebook user)

Unicorn news and initiatives

Unicorn has adjusted opening hours to give more time for stock to be put out and to allow a slot for older and vulnerable people. These changed 7th April. Details below and here.

Unicorn is also now limiting the number of people in the shop at any one time for the safety of customers and workers. This has caused some pretty long queues, so it's great that Unicorn is now giving you the opportunity to book a slot and avoid the queues.

Book your slot!

Co-op news and initiatives

Coop on-line ordering and deliveries

The Coop is now doing deliveries. You can now get a slot quite quickly - even the same day. It's a great way of getting food delivered at lower risk to you and store colleagues.

Place your order

Stores

The Co-op is closing stores at 8pm to give staff a chance to sanitise and re-stock for the following day. Stores open in the morning at 7am. The period between 8am and 9am (10-11 on Sundays) is reserved for older, vulnerable, carers and NHS workers.

Customers are asked to keep 2m apart if possible. There is also a limit on the number of people in the store.

Screens have been fitted in store to protect staff.

You can read more here.

Co-operate - ideas for helping out

The Co-operate site run by the Co-op aims to coordinate cooperation locally. You can see it here.

You'll find:

• Ways to help locally
• How to get support
• How to volunteer
• Staying healthy and entertained

We've provided details on Chorlton activities here.

Coop repurposes advert

The Coop had been planning a TV campaign to promote its Easter egg range. Instead it aired a promotion for donations to Fareshare with a whimsical look at people using videoconference services like Zoom. You can see it here.

To donate to Fareshare:

text MEALS to 70490

Or visit here.

Next meeting 9 May - by video

We held our first Chorlton and District Coops meeting by Zoom video on 21 March and it went well.

Our next meeting will be 10.30 - 11.30 am 9th May by Zoom.

How to join by Zoom

If you have a laptop, smartphone or tablet, just follow this link when it's time to join: https://zoom.us/j/988008800 (but don't use it yet!) This will install a small bit of software that lets you join the conference. You can switch your camera on or off.

Alternatively, you can also join by telephone. Just dial: 020 3051 2874 and then enter the Meeting ID: 988 008 800when it asks.

Please register

If you intend to join us on-line in May, please register by clicking on the button below.

Register here

We're Chorlton and District Co-ops - local Co-op members making our voice heard in the Co-op and working with other co-ops in the community. We hold short informal meetings every two months and we organise local activity around issues like Fairtrade. We recently changed our name (again!) from the Chorlton Co-op Cluster.

Anyone who is interested in co-ops and co-operation is welcome to join us.

Shaun Fensom