This is the story of Semley Village Stores, who show how a rural community shop can become a powerhouse of teamwork, youth development and local impact.
You can dance; you can jive…where team spirit shines
You may spot the cheeky ABBA nod, but there’s a good reason for it. At the Rural Community Business Awards 2025, guests left the ceremony to the sound of ABBA’s iconic 1976 hit Dancing Queen. Why? Because it was the song proudly performed by Semley Village Stores’ legendary “PYPs” – the Paid Young People whose energy and enthusiasm helped the shop win the Nina Foskett Award for Team Spirit.
The Team Spirit Award was a new category, created to celebrate community groups that embody camaraderie, collaboration and genuine encouragement for one another. Semley’s intergenerational teamwork, infectious positivity and commitment to nurturing young people made them stand out as worthy winners.
The ‘PYPs’
A commitment to investing in local people
As well as being champions in the Team Spirit category, Semley Village Stores were also finalists for the Investing in Local People Award. One of the most direct ways Semley supports local people is through paid employment. In a village of around 450 residents, with no public transport and very few job opportunities, the shop provides meaningful work for those who live nearby. Many of the adult staff are local parents, and the team also includes Ukrainian refugees who value both the income and the flexibility.
The shop employs a manager, two part-time assistant managers, sandwich makers and – uniquely – a team of Paid Young People (PYPs), affectionately known as “PIPs”. Seven PYPs currently work at the shop, all within walking distance. For them, Semley offers not just a job, but a rare chance to gain experience and independence close to home.
Their training – often completed as part of Duke of Edinburgh volunteering – covers EPOS, barista skills, customer service, and food handling. But the biggest gains are confidence, communication skills and valuable CV material that sets them up for future opportunities.
The shop’s motto, “we have no barriers – everyone is welcome,” priding itself as being welcoming for all. The building is wheelchair accessible, and roles are advertised locally and through the school. One young volunteer, who is neurodivergent, gained his first work experience at Semley. With support and a strong reference from the team, he went on to secure a full time job at a nearby café and delicatessen.
Semley’s commitment to its village goes even further. Since 2020, the shop has reinvested £40,000 back into the community. This funding has helped the primary school build a new library and install new railings and fencing; supported the church’s “greening scheme”; equipped the village hall with state-of-the-art technology for a thriving Film Club; and contributed to biodiversity projects including wildflowers, bird boxes and swift callers.
A team for everyone – bridging the generational gap.
Also recognised at the awards was Rosie Catherwood, a finalist in the Community Contribution Award and the Shop Committee Secretary at Semley Village Stores. Rosie oversees the running of the team, mentors young volunteers, and was the driving force behind the PYP scheme.
Rosie has helped local young people grow into confident team members. As one PYP put it: “She created a safe space for me to learn how to grow. She is not just a mentor – she is also a friend.”
But this kind of intergenerational harmony doesn’t happen by accident. Different communication styles, varying levels of confidence with technology, and unconscious biases around age can all create barriers. Successfully bridging these gaps takes intention, patience and thoughtful leadership.
That’s why our next Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Special Interest Group meeting will explore these challenges – and the benefits of overcoming them. Drawing on their work, Rosie and one of the PYPs, Poppy, will join us to share their experiences of building and belonging to a thriving, age‑diverse team. Join us as we continue this important conversation and learn from a community business where teamwork truly comes alive.
