Why is there a need for Responsible Business week? Because somewhere along the way, businesses became irresponsible as the drive for profit that benefits a few increased while answerability decreased. But co-operatives’ inherent accountability – their responsibility – to members, make them the ultimate responsible business structure.

Now in its fourth year, Responsible Business Week (18-22 April), organised by Business in the Community, is described as the awareness week for responsible business, and claims to give a “high profile opportunity for businesses and organisations of all sorts to demonstrate the many ways that they can work together to turn ambition into positive action for a fairer society and a more sustainable future”.

For 2016, the organisers are calling on businesses and organisations of all kinds to share and exchange ideas for responsible business. “We know that ideas get better when shared,” say the organisers. “Ideas for putting responsible business into action can only get better by being shared further, refined, tested, challenged and built upon.”

Co-operatives and communities

For co-operatives, working together and sharing ideas is the foundation of principle six: co-operation among co-operatives. “Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures,” says the International Co-operative Alliance definition.

As a responsible business we put a large emphasis on making a positive contribution to the communities in which we trade

And principle seven, concern for community, explains how co-operatives work for the sustainable – and responsible – development of their communities.

To coincide with the week, Central England Co-operative is donating two heavy goods vehicles to budding mechanics in its region. The two vehicles, which previously made deliveries to society food stores, will get a second lease of life when they become training vehicles for students on the HGV Maintenance and Repair course at Stephenson College in Leicestershire, allowing them to get hands-on practical experience.