Co-ops: there’s an app for that

As someone relatively new to the co-operative sector what I find striking is the sheer diversity in organisations it represents. Whether it’s food or schooling, electricity or banking, there are co-operatives in all parts of the economy and across the whole of the UK.

That’s why we at Co-operatives UK are launching Co-operate today – it’s an exciting new smartphone app, the first to make it easy to find co-operatives for all of your needs, wherever you are in the UK.

With over 13,000 co-operatives and mutual outlets on it, Co-operate will surprise users as they discover the diversity of organisations around them and we hope to inspire them to make an informed choice on where they do business.

The app will also allow users to work together and unlock discount vouchers for use in co-operative outlets included in the app across the country, including food stores, pubs, restaurants, energy providers and travel companies.

This is the start of a programme of exciting activities over the coming month, as we enter Co-operatives Fortnight 2012, running from 23 June to 7 July, a time of activism across the country.

By downloading Co-operate you can turn your mobile phone into a tool for social change – you can’t say better than that.

You can download the app for Android or iPhone from www.uk.coop/co-operate.