Case study: Co‐Operative Food Store – Clipstone, Nottinghamshire This is a case study of a working tripartite between a local Co‐op store, Dawn House School and MENCAP charity. The Co‐operative Group is the largest consumer co‐
operative in the UK. The Co‐op Food Group is also the biggest community food retailer, with more than 2,200 stores and 52,000 employees. The Co‐operative Food focuses on the convenience store and supermarket sector, and for more than 15 years has been at the forefront of responsible retailing issues. Alongside the Group's financial and operational objectives sits its community, social and sustainability goals. The Co‐op's ground breaking ethical plans set out to support the local communities it serves. An example of this can be found in the Clipstone store, Nottinghamshire. The store shows amazing commitment to customer service, staff development and all importantly, engagement with the local community. The Co‐op through Tina, the store manager, has developed close working relationships supporting students from ICAN’s nearby Dawn House School and work experience students from the charity MENCAP. Communication is a real strength in store and is key to the successful partnerships Tina and her team have developed. Dawn House is an outstanding specialist school for SLCN and children with Asperger Syndrome in the local area. MENCAP is a national charity representing the voice of people with a learning disability. Both organisations have praised The Clipstone store for the enthusiasm and commitment it has shown in understanding, supporting and welcoming their students. Through Tina’s leadership her staff have developed a far greater understanding of the needs of Dawn House pupils. The Clipstone team have shown a commitment to supporting pupils through positive interactions, working with the school to ensure each placement is successful. An example of this would be of a Dawn House student gaining NVQ level 1 in retail work supported by the Co‐op staff at every step of this process. The staff group clearly modify how much information they give students, being clear that they give instructions in smaller chunks and checking understanding as they go along. They will think carefully about the tasks they ask pupils to do, acknowledging individual strengths and abilities. Tina has worked closely with Dawn House School, attending sessions to discuss the needs of an individual, to plan for when they go to “work” so that the pupil will be able to succeed. Tina has also presented workshops in school on a number of occasions which firmly demonstrates her commitment to supporting young people with SLCN to succeed in her store. In addition to Dawn House pupils, the store welcomes work experience students from MENCAP. The Store’s commitment to differentiate their training packages and support, means the store now employs a MENCAP work experience student. Within the store there is a huge priority placed on good communication and this runs through the in‐house training programme. Specific time and support is given to colleagues who have difficulty with literacy skills reflecting the ethos of including everyone to understand and to share their thoughts and views. Clipstone personnel are clearly wishing to learn how best to communicate with all members of their community, whether it be a student or a member of staff. The impact of the work this Co‐op store has achieved, has been immeasurably exceptional.