This we've introduced new measures to improve the shopping experience for neurodivergent customers and members.

You will now be able to access a range of resources at their Millennium Park and St Peter’s Village Grand Marché stores in Jersey, and their Nocq Road and St Martin Grand Marché stores in Guernsey.  

As a business, we aim to provide a comfortable shopping experience for all. We understand that for some, shopping can be overwhelming and distressing, so wanted to create a calmer and more sensory-friendly shopping experience. We're now now pleased to offer the use of a social story, ear defenders, visual support tools and more resources available at our customer service desks, suitable for all ages, in these selected stores. We aim to roll this initiative out to all its stores across the Channel Islands if successful. 

While we already run an established ‘Quiet Time’ on Mondays from 3pm until 5pm and on Saturdays between 5pm and 7pm at Millennium Park, St Peter’s Village, Nocq Road and St Martin Grand Marché stores, these new measures aim to make shopping a calmer and more enjoyable experience for neurodivergent customers. 

Emma Veitch, Interim Head of Retail Operations at CI Coop said: “I understand how stimulating and overwhelming it can be in certain environments and have spent a long time trying to make shopping a calmer experience for my own son who has Autism and ADHD. From my own experience and with the advice from others within the neurodivergent community, the Coop have introduced aids that we hope will create a calmer and more enjoyable experience. The Coop is at the heart of our community, and we hope ‘Calmer Coop’ will support anyone who requires it.” 

Niamh Mc Dermott, co-founder and assistant chair at AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey said: “We were delighted to be invited into the store to meet with Emma and hear about all the fabulous work she is doing to help make shopping a less overwhelming experience. 

“There are so many barriers for our neurodivergent community when it comes to going to a supermarket therefore it was lovely to see the Coop embracing neurodiversity. We were impressed with the passion and dedication Emma has towards making the Co-op a more inclusive store and all the accommodations she is putting in place. 

“We are delighted to work collaboratively with the Coop to support them on this journey. We hope other companies follow their example.”

Visit our Calmer Coop page for information about what's available, including a Social Story and Communication Card that can be downloaded in advance of your visit if preferred.