Tell Co-op what you couldn’t live without in your local community - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[AmeliaMumsnet]

Whether it’s meeting new friends, amenities for the kids, or clubs and charities, it’s so important to make the most of the community you live in. Co-op want to know what you couldn’t live without where you live. Whether it’s where you are now, or the place that really feels like home, which clubs, activities, or services really make a difference to you in your local area?

Here’s what the Co-op have said: ‘Local community values are so important to us - that’s why we give 1% of everything our members spend on selected Co-op branded products and services from Co-op Group businesses, including food stores and funeral homes, to local initiatives in your community. So far, we’ve paid out £9 million to over 4,000 local causes! You can find out more, and sign up to become a member, here.’

You can read the Co-op’s membership T&Cs here.

Whether it’s a local event that brings everyone together, an after school sports club that gets your DC outdoors and active, or even just the beautiful natural scenery, Co-op want to know what really matters to you locally. So tell them about those local services, amenities or events that you just couldn't live without by posting in the thread below.

Every MNer who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Sleepysausage]

We have lots of little independent businesses around us. It's wonderful to live in such a creative and friendly area. I love that I can easily buy local produce and support my community.

[MagicAlwaysLeadsToTrouble]

We have a really lovely but really small kids play park in the crescent of two rows of houses. In the summer the surrounding families meet together to let the kids play, we share food, bring drinks and it's just so lovely. I feel so lucky to have it on our doorstep.

[Cambam2010]

We live on a fairly new build estate (15 years old) that has a small play park in the centre, opposite my house. During the developement stage the residents really didn't want the play park to go ahead but for me it is great. Whenever we have visitors the kids all love to go off to the park, to use the equipment and to race around on their bikes. It is an ideal size and a couple of the parents supervise at any given time whilst the others are able to chill out in my house and garden. It stops the kids climbing the walls and gives them fresh air and exercise.

Due to having this park opposite my house, we have more friends visit and we entertain more. It is win win all round.

[sharond101]

My ds's nursery. They are amazing and keep my Son entertained for a fee hours every day.

[theresamustgo]

our local history club - a fabulous resource that really integrates everyone and helps us to feel at home in our area - as well as campaign when things are being dismantled or destroyed.

[TW1984]

My local library. I can't imagine a world without books, and I can't afford to buy everything I want to read! Also, it's important to me that my daughter is involved with books and stories - we love going to our library each week and choosing some new books to read together.

[StripeyZazie]

Recently moved to a village with beautiful scenery, local shops and a real community feel- people smile and say hello to everyone in the street. The local Co-op is very much at the heart of this community- soon after we moved I left my purse in the Co-op and didn't realise until a couple of days later. Went back and it was through the back, safe and sound.

The community notice board is always full to brimming and the store is a real hub/meeting place, especially at around 5pm on a Friday. The range of goods is excellent, and we never feel stuck, even though we live in a small village!

[Jayfee]

The library...a hub from cradle to the grave

[Buxtonstill]

Our local swimming pool is fab. It keeps the kids healthy, and they see a lot of school friends outside the classroom for splash sessions. The staff are very friendly and know all the kids by name.

[georgedawes]

The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is fab, they run so many brilliant low cost (and free) events nearby, and they're great for all the family. They definitely have at least one must go to event each school holiday! I like them a lot.

[IAmTheWorwax]

The playgroups! Sure start used to have loads on but funding has been cut right back, so now a few mums set up their own groups. They are an absolute life saver when you're on your own with the baby most of the day.

[asuwere]

Our local library! They have story sessions for my youngest during the day, its close enough to walk to and they also run events during the holidays which is great for my older DC. The DC enjoy reading and this saves having the house being overrun with books (plus saves lots of £££)

[southernsun]

We are quite lucky in that our road is in the heart of the village so we have 2 schools, a pub, several restaurants/takeaways, paper shop, co-op and a couple of local shops all within a few minutes walk which makes things convenient.

The local park/recreation ground is also close by and holds several community events during the year which is well attended by local residents.

[hiddenmichelle]

The local library. They have saved me a fortune on books! My kids read a lot and can easily get through 2 a week so the Library is often where I can be found collecting new books they have reserved!

[Belmo]

A little baby music class that my son loves, and it gets us out of the house and meeting people.
And the park, of course!

[kamaxtra]

There's a gorgeous marina near my flat which houses local boats and is home to plenty of ducks, cormorants and beautiful swans. It's such a lovely, relaxing, peaceful place to sit and just relax.

[Reow]

I discovered recently the importance of community when my cat went missing.

We moved to our area 2 years ago and haven't really spoken to many local people or neighbors. When we put out signs and posted on local groups SO many people were wishing us well and trying to help.

We were stopping and taking to builders working on houses, people walking dogs, random teenage boys smoking in the local park, and people on our facebook groups were telling us about possible sightings and trying to help.

It's amazing how helpful and kind people can be when there's an animal involved.

(We found him!)

[Ganne1]

When we moved into our suburb of a small town, we had a school, a small supermarket, a post office, a grocer's, and a hairstylist. Now all have gone, except for the school. Luckily, we have plenty of facilities in the centre of the small town, two miles away. The best things are the ironmonger's and the library, although some of the restaurants are pretty good. But the very best thing is the pétanque piste!

[CopperPan]

We have a lovely vibrant community with lots of different restaurants and food shops. I couldn't be without them. We have a great library and public spaces like the park and square, and galleries and museums as well - some of them are world class as we're in London!

[tubbyj]

Having a local park that we can take DS to is a god send

[andywedge]

The local walks and coutryside - vitally important to get out with the kids in the wide open and beautiful land

[IonaAilidh11]

we have a great park where the kids spend hours at

[aggga8]

my local friut&veg market and local parks /playground for kids

[gd2011]

The local park.

[maryandbuzz1]

Our quiet Derbyshire village always has a open gardens weekend. It's a great way to meet new people by opening your garden and chat to neighbours after the event.