Lesley Perkins is the Member Pioneer for the Falmouth Co-op and started in the role in 2018.

What is a Member Pioneer? They can be Co-op 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.

Lesley spoke to Falmouth Nub News to tell us about her background and what attracted here to the role.

Can you tell our readers something about yourself?

I spent 40 years working in both the public and the private sector, in health and social care. I ended that career to become a full-time carer, working with people who have dementia.

In terms of the link between my background and this role, I have always been interested in community initiatives and how I can support and collaborate with the community.

How did you come to find out about the role?

I have always been a Member of the Co-op so I have always been aware of what they do. I saw there was a role advertised locally, the opportunity to help the Co-op and the community, that is what attracted me to the post.

What do you like most about the job?

The job is very public-facing. I also like the values and the opportunity to put those values into practice. The values are working together, fairness and meeting people.

Is there anything exciting coming up?

Next year I'll be working with the three new causes. A big part of my role in supporting the causes is promoting the Co-op Membership, the more Members we have, the more funding that can be given to our wonderful Local Causes.

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.