Co-op Culture

21/10/2025

Let's see what they come up with.

TODAY – co-operatives in Westminster

From 2.30pm this afternoon, MPs will debate support for the co-operative sector. Key questions being posed include:

- What steps the Department for Business & Trade is taking to support co-operatives
- What growth expectations government has for the sector over the next five years
- An assessment of the financial contribution of co-operatives to the UK economy

We’re delighted that the debate will draw insight from our Co-operative and Mutual Economy 2025 report, which highlights all the big figures are income and memberships, alongside insight taking in resilience, gender pay-gap, women in leadership and more.
📘 Read the report: http://uk.coop/economy

Today's debate will be led by Jim McMahon MP and is a great example of a growing recognition in Westminster. We'll share a summary of what was said after the debate - so watch this space.

16/10/2025

Social Venture School is in Wakefield on 19 and 20 November, and it’s free to attend!

The two-day course will guide you through the Social Venture Toolkit, so you can leave with a basic business plan. It will help you…

- Choose the right legal structure/business model.
- Communicate your ideas.
- Understand finance and create a sustainable model.
- Find and apply for funding.
- Consider stakeholders and relationships.
- Complete impact monitoring.
- Connect with people who are on similar journeys to you.

Sign up now: https://bit.ly/WakefieldSVS25

The programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Business For Good West Yorkshire project.

12/06/2025

We were involved in Episode 7 of the Corporate Bodies podcast https://corporatebodies.substack.com/p/episode-7-the-immune-system

25/03/2025

Development Support Officer

⭐ WE’RE HIRING! ⭐

👋 Want to be part of a team that’s empowering communities in a way that changes lives for the better? ✅

🤩 Join us as Co‑operative Development Support Officer, enabling groups, co‑ops and community businesses to progress their applications to our Community Shares Booster Fund and Business Support for Co‑ops programmes.

🏠 Organisations like Three Seas Cornwall (pictured) that’s creating affordable community-led housing for local people, with help from the Booster Fund.

💪 Our programmes support the development and growth of ethical, democratic businesses – to create a fairer society through shared wealth and member ownership. 💚

👁️ We’re seeking a confident, IT-literate multi‑tasker with superb admin and client management skills who shares our values of solidarity, self‑responsibility, equity and honesty – and our passion for building a fairer world. 🌍

Application deadline: midnight, Wednesday 16 April 2025.

🔎 Find out more and apply: https://buff.ly/zl23MZO

05/03/2025

⭐️ Great news for community business! ⭐️

📢 We’re announcing extensions to TWO funds that support community share offers:

1️⃣ The Community Shares Booster Fund is extending its support throughout 2025 and beyond, thanks to a new tranche of funding from Access – the Foundation for Social Investment:

✅ £360,000 for match equity investment
✅ £200,000 for development grants

2️⃣ The application timeline for the Energy Efficiency Sharematch Fund has been extended!

The fund, which we deliver in partnership with Crowdfunder, supports societies investing in low carbon measures via community share offers. And they’ve now got until March 2026 to raise the capital to be matched by the Fund!

🔎 More info 👉 https://buff.ly/WoYJqHQ

05/11/2024

According to our 'Community Ownership: A Better form of Business' report, 35 new community businesses were established in 2023. Despite 6 closures, the total number has now reached nearly 800. 📈

But what are the types of community business? 🤔

According to our report, the top 5 are:

🛍️Shops
🌲Woodlands
🚜Farms/Growing Schemes
✅Multi-Purpose Hubs
🍻Pubs

These are just a few examples of the types of businesses we support. Our records also include a variety of other businesses such as cafés, breweries/distilleries, sports clubs, cinemas, bakeries, and many more. You can read more about these in our recently published report ➡�https://plunkett.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Better-Business-Report-2024.pdf

At Plunkett UK, we are proud to support local communities in setting up vital assets and assisting community-owned businesses that are already trading.

Our dedicated team is here to help! You can reach us by emailing [email protected] or calling 01993 630022.

28/10/2024

Are you involved in running a social club? Stir to Action are co-ordinating some potential support for social clubs across the UK:

"The Centre for Democratic Business is currently speaking to a range of organisations and individuals who are concerned about, or part of, revitalising the future of Britain’s social clubs.
We know that social clubs – all of kinds – are important local institutions that make a difference to the lives of communities all over Britain, but many are struggling with financial issues, the lack of access to advice, and recruiting new members.
Please fill out our survey so we can build more evidence about the current position of Britain’s social clubs, and attract more financial support and progressive policy for the wider sector.
Please complete the survey by 1 December 2024."

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

09/10/2024

Tickets are on sale for this yearʼs Democratic Business Summit – a one-day event to advance democracy across the UK business economy. Building on the success of last yearʼs event, the Centre for Democratic Business is bringing together policy makers, businesses, federations, academics, and funders to continue to develop and promote more awareness of how democratic business can transform our broken economy.

With a new government – and manifesto pledges to “double the size of the co-operative and mutual economyˮ – we have a unique opportunity to make sure our business movement is working together to influence how public resources are used to strengthen and grow this part of the business economy in the UK over the next few years.

03/06/2024

Get away from your desk and join us for a FREE Study Visit at a West Yorkshire Co-operative from the 24 June to 5th July 24.

You might be an existing business, a startup or a business advisor looking to expand your co-operative knowledge - check out the programme, sign up and come and find out more about how these inspiring businesses started, their growth model, where they get business support, how they make decisions, their routes to finance, and how they connect their business model to social purpose.

We’re really looking forward to meeting you!

Check out the programme & sign up here https://airtable.com/appq4RatYsscuPfAR/pagwh741MAho8aXZO/form

This programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Business for Good West Yorkshire project.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority SEE Ahead Co-op Culture School for Social Entrepreneurs participate Voluntary Action Leeds Stir to Action Co-operatives UK Key Fund Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber

12/04/2024

📢LAST CHANCE TO APPLY!!

💼 Calling All Social Enterprises, Co-operatives, and Community Businesses in West Yorkshire!

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? The Business For Good West Yorkshire Growth & Resilience Programme is here to support your journey. With a focus on organisations based in West Yorkshire, this programme is your chance to enhance your entrepreneurial, resilience, and leadership skills, all while connecting with a network of like-minded innovators.

This programme, run by Co-operatives UK and the School for Social Entrepreneurs, is designed to support alternative businesses that are eager to expand their impact and safeguard jobs. With tailored support, you’ll not only advance your own skills but also contribute to the strength and resilience of West Yorkshire’s vibrant community.

🗓 APPLY BY 19TH APRIL to ensure you don't miss out on this exclusive local opportunity. Let's grow together and make a difference in our communities. https://bfgwy.org.uk/grow/

This programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Business for Good West Yorkshire project. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

West Yorkshire Combined Authority SEE Ahead Co-op Culture Voluntary Action Leeds Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber Co-operatives UK Key Fund participate School for Social Entrepreneurs VSI Alliance Nova Wakefield District

02/04/2024

Are you thinking about setting up a Social Enterprise, Co-operative or Community Business but not sure of which structure would suit your organisation the best? 📄

Join Business For Good West Yorkshire for the next in a series of free online 'start-up' workshops and get specialist support navigating legal structures and obligations, roles and responsibilities, and board recruitment.

📣Choosing Your Legal Structure and Managing Your Alternative Business
📆Tuesday 30th April 2024, 10am - 12pm
📍Online via Zoom

Delivered by Helen Hoyle from SEE Ahead, this workshop looks at:
- Details of different legal structures available
- Roles and responsibilities
- Legal obligations
- Recruitment of board members

To book your free place visit https://bfgwy.org.uk/choosing-your-legal-structure-and-managing-your-alternative-business/

This workshop is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Business for Good West Yorkshire project. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

West Yorkshire Combined Authority SEE Ahead Co-op Culture Voluntary Action Leeds Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber Stir to Action Co-operatives UK Key Fund participate School for Social Entrepreneurs