As well as a supermarket chain, the Coop is also a co-operative business that works to strengthen communities. As part of this, Coop were looking to build a platform where local people could find each other to make ‘good things happen’ in their area.
When Coop came to ustwo, they had launched a small Beta that enabled people in Manchester find and post local activities. They tasked us with validating a skills matching service that would help organisers find local volunteers with specific skills.
We ran various pieces of research with a groups of volunteers and organisers across the country, creating a test bed of people online as well as attending community events ourselves. The aim was to create a set of basic prototypes that might solve the needs for both organisers and volunteers.
When Covid-19 hit, the idea of community activities became temporarily obsolete, as did the need for a platform like this. On the other hand, there was a massive new need for volunteering of a different kind, and a major opportunity in working with a supermarket chain like the Coop.
In just 9 days, we pivoted the platform to connect those that needed their food shopping delivered with those that were able to deliver it, as well as supporting local organisers in shifting their community groups online.
As lockdowns fluctuated and the world started to grapple with the ‘new normal’ we continued to shape the platform in response to shifting needs.
We restructured the previously jumbled content and features into a new information architecture, positioning the platform as a marketplace that supported both offline and online activities. Along with this, we created a sub-brand for Co-operate gave it a distinct community feel, while still remaining recognisably Coop.
Co-operate is live today, with a presence across the United Kingdom.
You can take a look at volunteering opportunities in your local area, or get started with your own community activity by visiting co-operate.coop.co.uk.
