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MNHQ

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

351 replies

AmeliaMumsnet · 08/05/2017 15:07

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

Tell Co-op what you couldn’t live without in your local community - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
TinfoilHattie · 09/05/2017 16:14

Definitely the local playpark which was refurbished a couple of years ago and is now the meeting place for all local kids. It's saved me a fortune over the holidays as there's always something free to do and it's guaranteed the kids will meet friends there whenever they go.

starlight36 · 09/05/2017 16:29

We have some great local parks and woods nearby which we spend so much time in. Brilliant for the kids to informally meet up with their friends as there is usually someone around who they can play with. It has saved us a fortune as we often take our own picnics and outdoor toys along and it keeps them all occupied for hours.

Elizasmum02 · 09/05/2017 16:32

ive been going to the same local independant coffee shop for 15 years the service is great and its got a wonderful atmosphere most the friens i have now are all costomers of this fantastic coffee shop

AnimalAddict · 09/05/2017 16:38

The local park, such a lovely place to enjoy :)

HamletsSister · 09/05/2017 17:17

Our community centre and community swimming pool are great.

But, the best thing of all is the sense of belonging in a close knit, small remote area.

mooota1514 · 09/05/2017 18:03

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!

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 09/05/2017 18:10

We have a little park. It's great for all the kids to congregate and be kids. Parents can meet each other. Sometimes we send them with packed lunches during the holidays and they play most of the day.

I hate the thought of DD being stuck indoors.

Headfullofdreams · 09/05/2017 18:24

Local pub

NerrSnerr · 09/05/2017 18:34

I couldn't live without our local library. We attend baby groups, get books out, do seasonal activity sessions etc. The staff are lovely and it's a meeting place for friends. It's now run by a charity as the council we're going to close it.

ohlittlepea · 09/05/2017 18:38

We have a lovely park, there's a library in the park which is perfect if it rains or to warm up on cold days, a duck pond, tame squirrels who like to be fed nuts and play equipment that the community have painted. It's a lovely place for an afternoon with a toddler :) people seem to be relaxed and chatty there so it's a good place for the community to bond.

glennamy · 09/05/2017 18:54

We live in a village so the community is quite known to each other. It also has a local Primary school which allows adults with children to keep in touch with local events, which are also mentioned in the monthly news booklet.

Sammyislost · 09/05/2017 19:04

Our local play park. It's not perfect, but it is a great space for the kids to run around and socialise. There is also a small woodland area attached which the kids love to explore!

Last year they held a party in the park for the Queens jubilee, and there was free ice cream, and hot dogs, bouncy castles, horse rides etc! It was brilliant, and to see so many of the locals in one place was great.

I've seen the Co-op supporting our local community by donating money to the school, and it's amazing!

littletwofeet · 09/05/2017 19:33

Beautiful parks with cafes, children's play areas, lakes. Would be lost without a few nice parks to choose from.

Ikea1234 · 09/05/2017 19:42

We are lucky to live in the Hampshire countryside, and we have some great local places, including Milestones museum, Winchester City Mill, Mottisfont House and grounds and Winchester Science Centre.

We are also fortunate that our son goes to a school where after school clubs are held every day en masse! He attends a climbing club, theatre technicians club, digital tech club, film club, debating club and he writes for the school newspaper. We are so lucky that the teachers give up their time to give our son, and others, these opportunities.

GiraffesAndButterflies · 09/05/2017 19:43

I wouldn't want to live somewhere without a play park within reach. Makes such a difference to have an easy, free, quick treat on the doorstop.

Gazelda · 09/05/2017 19:50

The fabulous volunteers and groups who put on brilliant community events. Carols, fireworks, carnival, summer fete, runs, Apple-fest. They bring the community together and raise funds for small charity groups. The events are a focal part of the village, they make it a wonderful place to live.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/05/2017 19:52

Libraries - we have a choice of 5 within very easy reach, so feel very lucky.

Coffee shops - I still see going out for a coffee as a treat, and love the fact that we now have several good ones within easy walking distance, and lots more just a short journey away.

A good local pub, with a lovely beer garden, within walking distance.

A range of local shops, in which we can get emergency bread/milk top-ups, but can also get enough for several meals if we aren't wanting an online delivery for a few days.

And today I managed to get an almond croissant reduced to 22p in our local Co-Op, which, I must admit, I couldn't live without at the time. It was delicious!

freefan · 09/05/2017 19:59

I've only been in my area for a few years but there is a lovely community hub that works to get people mixing and socialising, whether it is bus trips, community lunches, or helping to plant flowers and shrubs in the local area. Really makes a difference.

pgwynne · 09/05/2017 20:20

We have lots of country parks around where I live so am really lucky. We love taking our bikes there to cycle around. We a.so take a picnic to make a day of it.

juju3 · 09/05/2017 20:22

The annual craft weekend at Clare Priory in Suffolk - always good fun and helps support the local religious order

emmav6 · 09/05/2017 20:24

every year in the town near us they have a party in the park for everyone to enjoy. free to attend and brings the community together

moosexxx · 09/05/2017 20:26

For me it’s the local park. It has a bandstand where bands and choirs play regularly. Three different play areas for the children to enjoy, a sensory garden and tennis courts.
It also has open places for cricket and football and plenty of space for the children to play games and find conkers.
All in all it’s very well looked after, and provides us all with opportunities for fun.

towser44 · 09/05/2017 20:29

2 parks with lovely playground facilities, a lake and lots of open space. Makes for easy (and cheap) entertaining after school!

CheeseEMouse · 09/05/2017 20:33

Our local parks and open space. An oasis in the middle of the sprawling urban area.

olivia280177 · 09/05/2017 20:44

I love our Country Park. It is really well kept, the car park is free, there's toilets and a very reasonable little cafe, along with zipwire, play area and a lovely lake that creates a natural walking circuit. I have been taking all of my children for years and we have had some great times there together.