A number of the borough's organisations and charities have received the support of a new forum which has been established. The Carshalton Co-op Local Forum has been set up as one of 37 pilot projects around the country investigating how the Co-op its branches and its staff can get more engaged with its members and their local community.
The forum has identified the following groups and detailed the current support that they have received.
1. Rosehill Blossoming Rose Market stalls: The Forum worked with staff and local councillors to help fundraise for the new market stalls at Rosehill. The crowd funding target was reached and some temporary stalls were in action at the launch at Rosehill on Friday 20 November when the Christmas lights were switched on as part of an event running from 4 – 7.30 pm.
2. Sutton Mencap: The Forum is fundraising to buy toys for their Christmas Grotto (12 December), this is a special occasion for families with adults or children with learning disabilities who find environments like Department Stores challenging. Time and care is taken to tailor the day for the individuals giving them and their families a unique experience. A Justgiving page to buy a special “Tangle” toy for each child (cost £4.45 each) has been set up. For full details go to TANGLE https://www.justgiving.com/SuttonMencapGrotto . You can also donate by texting TANG48 and the amount you wish to give to 70070.
3. The Diamond Riding Centre http://www.diamondcentre.org.uk “A very special place for disabled riders”. This is one of the charities being supported by Yule Fest http://www.beechesyulefest.co.uk/programme/ on 4 Dec. The forum will be assisting with fundraising at this event and running a stall outside the Co-op in Carshalton Beeches. The forum is also talking to the Centre about the possibility of members and staff volunteering to help support riding sessions and further fundraising.
4. Sutton Carers Centre: The Forum is encouraging its members and Co-op staff to persuade any Carers they know to register with their GPs as Carers and the Sutton Carers’ Centre so that if one day they need support, it is there for them.
5. There is a hope of future co-operation on a project with local charity Jigsaw4u.
6. Carshalton Lavender - discussions are taking place with Carshalton Lavender as to the possibility of their products being available in local stores.
7. The Sutton Community Farm will benefit as the Forum has agreed to buy some shares in the farm's newly launched community share scheme. Full details of the scheme can be found at SHARE . The group will also promote the share scheme by distributing information at the markets and stalls they’re running.
8. Sutton Community Fairtrade Group https://fairtradeinsutton.wordpress.com The forum will be donating some Co-op Fairtrade goods for their stall at the Frost Fair at Carshalton Ponds on 5 December and co-hosting a Fairtrade Breakfast with them during Fairtrade Fortnight (29 February – 13 March 2016).
If you would like to know more about the Forum go to CO-OP
If you would like to take an active part in the Forum email [email protected] or tweet the Forum on @SuttonCoopMemb
Jane Davies is the local Member Pioneer working with Marilynne Burbage. Neither work for the Co-op but are local members supported by Amy Morris of The Co-operative Group.
Caption: Amy Morris, Dutto Selvarajah (Manager), next to Jane, Andrew Scott (checked shirt) & other Staff at Carshalton High St launching the Forum project in the store.