The Midcounties Co-operative’s Fairer Futures Programme Wins Community Engagement Programme of the Year at the People in Retail Awards

The Midcounties Co-operative is delighted to announce that its pioneering initiative, The Fairer Futures Programme, has been honoured with the People in Retail Award for Community Engagement Programme of the Year. This recognition underscores the remarkable impact the programme has had on the local community and its dedication to social responsibility.

The Fairer Futures Programme was launched as a groundbreaking collaboration between The Midcounties Co-operative and social enterprise Miss Macaroon to tackle youth unemployment in Walsall, a region marked by high levels of economic inactivity, and help local young people overcome barriers to employment.

Working together with local employers, the programme aims to help create opportunities to transform and empower the lives of young people who are facing challenges in finding long-term employment, including mental health issues, disabilities, and social anxieties.

By providing personalised mentoring, counselling, and work experience, in its first year alone the programme has successfully supported 22 young people in the West Midlands into long-term employment, providing them with the tools and support they need to build a brighter future.

The award judges commended the Programme’s efforts, highlighting the dedication of The Midcounties Co-operative’s colleagues: “The dedication of The Midcounties Co-operative team, who went above and beyond to mentor, train and offer real-life work experiences, has been incredibly inspiring. This initiative doesn't just offer jobs—it offers hope, confidence, and the chance for young people to transform their lives, which makes it a shining example of true community engagement.”

Natalie Fresen, Chief People Champion for PIRA 2024, praised the programme's transformative impact: “The Midcounties Co-operative's Fairer Futures Programme, in partnership with Miss Macaroon, stood out as a winning entry for Community Engagement of the Year due to its transformative impact on youth unemployment in Walsall, a region with high economic inactivity. The initiative's long-term commitment, community impact and ability to create a genuinely inclusive and supportive environment made it a remarkable and deserving winner.”

Phil Ponsonby, CEO of The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We are incredibly honoured for The Fairer Futures Programme to have been recognised as Community Engagement Programme of the Year. We couldn’t be prouder to see the success of the programme so far, and the hard work of both the dedicated team at Miss Macaroon and our remarkable Walsall colleagues, being recognised for delivering a lasting impact on young people within the Walsall community.

As a member-owned organisation with people at its heart, it’s our responsibility to provide opportunity for the communities we serve. By partnering with Miss Macaroon, it has enabled us to positively impact the Walsall community, removing barriers to employment, and doing good together to contribute to a brighter, fairer future for all. It absolutely goes to show that taking the leap and investing in projects like this is so important and we hope The Fairer Futures Programme inspires other businesses to launch similar projects to widen the support for unemployed young people.”

The Midcounties Co-operative is committed to continuing its efforts to support disadvantaged young people and make a positive impact on the community. The Fairer Futures Programme will keep evolving, with plans to expand its reach and establish more long-term partnerships with local employers.

For more information about The Fairer Futures Programme, please visit: https://missmacaroon.co.uk/the-fairer-futures-programme/