241 Co-operators

22/04/2026

Community-owned pubs are achieving strong long-term survival rates, with Plunkett UK saying local ownership is helping save rural venues from closure.

13/04/2026

Some key info here from Co-operatives UK about changes in employment law.

Is your co-operative or community business ready for what the government is calling the "biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation"?

We've a blog from our wonderful HR Manager, Kate Fielding, which takes you through the biggest changes and challenges - and what you should do right now.

We've also a handy resource (which is open access) covering key dates and the changes in more detail - and a webinar to book onto (no cost for Co-operatives UK members) looking at the new Employment Rights Act.

The link you need is in the comments.

02/04/2026

Have a look at this funded training for people managing social enterprises based in England. Application deadline 29/04/2026. One year course starts 01/10/2026

You will develop skills to:

- Generate income to be invested in your community through trading.
- Create a resilient, growing community business.
- Adapt to changes in external environments.
- Develop emotional resourcefulness.
- Build and benefit from new networks.
Positively impact your community.

APPLICATIONS OPEN - Trading for Good: Community Business Programme 2026!

If you're running a business for community benefit, based in England, then find out how this programme can help you strengthen your income and your impact.

📚 Unparalleled Learning Experience
11 learning sessions are spaced out over 12 months — both online and offline. Bolster your skills in generating traded income and building resilience and ensure that you're equipped to navigate the challenges of running a community-focused enterprise.

💷 Match Trading™ Grant
Fuel your business growth with our Match Trading™ grant, offering up to £4,000, proven to support the the development of trading income streams, promoting financial sustainability and enabling you to reinvest in your community.

🤝 Ready-Made Support Network
Join a cohort of like-minded individuals who share your commitment to community betterment. Benefit from peer-to-peer learning, expert insights, and become part of our extensive network of over 3,000 SSE fellows.

📝 Applications open NOW
📅 Programme runs: Oct 2026 - Oct 2027

Register your interest in just 1 minute➡️ https://www.the-sse.org/programme/trading-for-good-community-business/

️ℹ️ Info sessions:
Monday 16 March 2026 at 2-3pm or
Thursday 16 April 2026 at 10-11am

01/04/2026

Based in/near Cumbria? This might be of interest.

Curious about co-operatives and mutuals? Based in Cumbria?

Join this online workshop to explore co-operative and mutual models as alternatives to traditional legal structures for social enterprises. This workshop is designed for community groups, social enterprises, and anyone exploring democratic ownership.

📅 21 April
🕠 5.30-7pm
💻 Online
👥 Limited to 15 places

You’ll learn:
• What co-operatives are and how they differ from other models
• Mutual ownership and democratic governance
• Community shares and raising finance
• How to assess whether a co-operative or mutual model is right for you

Hosted by Social Enterprise Cumbria Partnership and led by our Co-operative Development Manager, Petra Morris. Find out more and book your place: https://buff.ly/zvHLwin

01/04/2026

27/03/2026

Some great training coming up fro Co-operatives UK, including essential training for Board/Committee members and officers (Sec, Chair, Treasurer).

10/03/2026

This looks like a good job opportunity for someone into community and horticulture.

We have a fantastic job opportunity for a P/T Development Worker (Horticulture) at Bradford Organic Communities Service (BOCS) Ltd

Join our team working on our National Lottery funded Project at Wibsey Community Gardens supporting volunteers and leading small groups growing vegetables, salads, fruits and herbs. BOCS is looking for a horticulture development worker to support people to take part in organically growing fruit, vegetables and herbs and to develop skills and confidence improving health and wellbeing.

You will be based at Wibsey Community Gardens in Wibsey Park. Hours are part time, 5.5 hours per day, one or two days per week

Involved in
• Growing from seed, potting on, planting out, watering, weeding, and maintaining the site.
• Ensuring onsite health and safety.

The role
• Position: Development worker for BOCS ltd
• Salary: £24,496 fte per annum (£7,699) pro rata
• 2 days per week, 9.00 - 3.00pm
• Location: Wibsey Community Gardens

For more information and application forms please contact
Jen White on 07707 658465/[email protected]

Closing time and date: 4 pm on Friday 13th March 2026
Interviews: Thursday 19th March 2026

01/03/2026

Excellent partnership between two member-led organisations (Tod Community Energy and Tod Hippodrome) to reduce carbon, save money and provide energy resilience. Invest now in their community share offer. Todmorden Community Energy https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/todmorden-community-energy-hippodrome-solar-power?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=qr #

Great turn-out for launch of community share offer for the solar-powered roof at Todmorden Hippodrome. Great partnership between the theatre and Todmorden Community Energy with grant funding from Todmorden Town Council
Calderdale MBC and Community Foundationfor Calderdale . £50.000 is the target so let’s make it happen ! https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/vnG9ExNl?utm_campaign=thanksShare&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

25/02/2026

📣 We're hiring! 📣

The ELC is looking for a new Finance Coordinator.

We want to find a thoughtful, strategic, and values-driven Finance Coordinator to help secure the financial resilience of our pioneering land justice organisation.

Sound financial stewardship is essential to our mission.

That’s where you come in...

As Finance Coordinator, you will play a senior operational role at the heart of the organisation, ensuring we are financially resilient, legally compliant, and able to make confident strategic decisions.

You will translate financial information into clear insight. You will help our Board and governance circles navigate risk and opportunity. You will ensure that the land we protect remains secure for generations to come.

If you are motivated by combining financial rigour with social and ecological purpose, this role offers rare depth and influence in a small, ambitious organisation.

Click here to find out more: https://ecologicalland.coop/home/work-with-us/

26/01/2026

Our Yorkshire Pub Rescue with Jon Richardson

The Plough is coming to the small screen. The four-part series launches on Wednesday 4th February at 9pm on More4.

Here is more info. https://theploughfadmoor.co.uk/2026/01/26/our-yorkshire-pub-rescue-with-jon-richardson/

23/01/2026

Co-operatives UK have a load of useful resources and training. Some are for paid-up members only, but others are free to access. See the link below to resources about annual general meetings.

AGMs are a primary way to engage members.

Need advice and guidance for best practice? Find useful guidance and recommendations to ensure your AGM benefits your co-operative AND your members.

Find our more: https://buff.ly/xPzjepf

23/01/2026

Co-ops supporting co-ops. Principle 6 in action. Thanks POD Calder Valley Shared Transport Calder Valley CLT

Share offer closing soon. Hurry, closes 27th January 2026. Click here to invest now, or read below for more information. Time is running out – We need your help to make this happen Offer closes 27th January 2026 We’ve already raised £175,000 in investments, donations and grants, including £50,...