Congleton's Co-op Member Pioneer is "absolutely loving" the "best role she has ever had".

Congleton's Member Pioneer is Alison Wright, who works with the teams at the Bromley Road Co-op store and Funeralcare.

Alison took up the role in November last year, saying that it was the chance to work within the community that made her interested in applying.

Member Pioneers can be colleagues or Members of the community. They create local action plans that mean Co-op can provide support at a local level. They work very closely with the Local Community Fund recipients which are Local Causes that are supported by the local Co-op Members. They can be charities, local community groups or food banks.

Alison has been steeped in passion for the community long before taking up her current role, as she was a Cub Scout leader in Holmes Chapel for 15 years.

Alison is currently volunteering every Friday at a community café in Congleton called The Old Saw Mill.

The Big Heart Luncheon Club; a weekly subsidised lunch group for older people and those who are lonely or in need has been taken on by The Old Saw Mill. The project means 55 elderly residents get a warm and hearty nutritious meal delivered to them every Friday courtesy of Congleton Town Council.

Alison has been involved in the project since September when there were around 30 residents receiving meals, but the numbers continue to grow, and Alison expects that upward trend will continue into the New Year.

Alison added: "The service is growing and is now delivering to Goostery and Holmes Chapel as well."

She wanted to get involved with the project because The Old Saw Mill promotes the same community principles that the Co-op prides itself on.

Alison said: "They [The Old Saw Mill] have an unbelievable team and the volunteers come from all walks of life. They are so invested in helping the community. That's what Co-op wants, to bring everyone together."

The lunches delivered to residents, who are socially isolated and living locally, cost £6 which includes a main meal and a pudding. The Old Saw Mill are also offering a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, home-delivered for £10.

"There's a lot of people for whom a gesture like this would mean the world, we can add your own message to a card that will accompany the delicious, home cooked, chilled meal delivered on Christmas Eve to be reheated on Christmas Day."

Alison, who is also the Co-op Member Pioneer for Holmes Chapel, has been calling some of the residents receiving the lunches on a weekly basis to have a welfare chat.

Alison continued: "It's such an unbelievable community service being provided and it gives residents, who may be lonely, that human contact.

"That is priceless."

Alison said that when speaking to a resident during a welfare visit, she was told that it was the only cooked meal he has a week.

Alison added: "I had to video the resident saying that, because it was so powerful, and I wanted to show the girls at The Old Saw Mill the difference they are making."

Amongst other initiatives, Alison held her first joint Quarterly Online Community Local Cause Forum with Congleton, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach. Linking together the Co-op Member Pioneers, the Local Causes and retail stores.

Each Local Cause was able to introduce themselves and their projects for the next year.

Alison is planning a "really great celebration" for November 2021 to celebrate a year of the forum working together.

Alison has also been working hard to link the communities of Holmes Chapel with Congleton.

When asked about what it felt like being a Member Pioneer, Alison concluded: "It is the best job I have ever had and I am absolutely loving it."

To find out more about Co-op's Member Pioneers and how you can cooperate with them in your community, follow the link here coop.co.uk/member-pioneers.

When Co-op Members buy own-brand products and services, 2p for every £1 spent goes to support local causes and community organisations. To find out more about Membership, follow the link here coop.co.uk/membership.