Co-operatives UK

🎉 We’re celebrating! Today we’re proud to share a new report showcasing the impact of Business Support for Co-ops, a programme that's been funded by The Co-operative Bank plc since 2016 🙌 🤝 AND: We're proud to share that our partnership will renew in 2025, allowing us to continue this valuable work 💪 🤩 The report highlights the programme’s amazing achievements. Together we’ve empowered more than 4,000 groups via a range of activities! 👏 Since starting in 2016, the funding has enabled us to deliver an amazing range of activities: from direct business support; free events and webinars; the #UnFound Accelerator and #CoopHackathon events; and offering heavily subsidising registration for new #coops. 🏆 The support offered through our Business Support for Co-ops programme – delivered via a UK-wide network of expert co-operative development advisors – gets an average rating of 4.85/5 ⭐️  AND: More than 80% of #coops receiving this direct support are still trading! 👊 Our CEO Rose Marley said: "The Bank has been an unwavering ally in strengthening the UK’s co‑operative movement. Its investment into the Business Support for Co‑ops programme is more than funding – it’s a testament to their belief in the power of co‑operatives to build stronger, fairer communities." Maria Cearns, Chief Operating Officer, at the Bank said: "We’ve proudly committed more than £3 million to the Business Support for Co‑ops programme, because we believe in the power of co‑operation and the positive change that co‑operative businesses can bring to our communities." 🔎 READ all about it 👉 https://bit.ly/41Jfijn 👏

"The people of Rochdale, pioneered a new norm, A member-owned business, which took the whole world by storm." Happy 180th Birthday to Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society! The first co-operative to create a set of seven principles which would go on to be used by co-ops around the world for the good of member-owners and the wider community. Read more in this blog by the Co-operative Heritage Trust, where you can also watch and read the rest of the poem, quoted above, by Maria Angotti: https://lnkd.in/eAqgzv7t #coops #cooperatives #coopheritage #heritage #180 #Pioneers180

READ our CEO Rose Marley's end of year blog: "As we approach the end of 2024, I've an incredible sense of pride and excitement. Together, we've advanced the co-operative movement in meaningful ways, positioning the sector for even greater impact on the 180th anniversary of the Rochdale Pioneers. "With the Labour government committing to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual economy, we look towards a very special 2025, as we celebrate the United Nations' International Year of Co-operatives (IYC), with even more optimism." 🖊️ Read in full 👉 https://buff.ly/4gO38dj #endofyearblog #2024wrapup #ceoblog #coops #cooperatives #IYC2025

⭐ WANTED ⭐ The Co‑operative Governance Expert Reference Panel is seeking applications from experts in governance with a focus on financial co‑ops and/or credit unions. The Panel shapes strategic priority and best practice for governance in the UK co‑op movement. Application deadline: midnight, Friday 10 January. Find out more: https://buff.ly/49Ez0id #coops #cooperative #coopgovernance #finance #creditunions

🔎 Looking for a new podcast? Feast your ears on Punchcard from workers.coop, the UK based federation of worker led co‑operatives. 📣 Punchcard amplifies the voices, impact and profile of #workercoops – and shines a light on the world of worker‑controlled, democratically run co‑operative businesses. 🔘 Tune in to hear from a variety of guests sharing their stories, experiences and insights as members of worker #coops: www.workers.coop/podcast

🗺️ 🇮🇳 WATCH our CEO Rose Marley's vlog following an inspiring week at the International Cooperative Alliance’s Global Conference in #NewDelhi #India As well as recapping on the many brilliant moments, Rose also looks ahead to the fast approaching UN International Year of Co-operatives 2025 – the anticipation is building globally! 🗣️ “We very much look forward to showcasing how co-operatives build a better world through the co-operative business model: the UK’s greatest export!” 📼 WATCH THE FULL VLOG https://lnkd.in/eh8Sc4Jg 🙌 A huge thank you to the many contributors, including Co-op News, Co-operative College and The Co-operative Heritage Trust. Look out for cameos from *most* of the UK delegation in the full version Rebecca Harvey Dr Sarah Alldred Anca Voinea Jacqui Thomasen Denise Scott-Mcdonald Kate Brown Claire Dalton FCG Pete Westall Aaron Stewart Heather Richardson Blase Lambert Liz McIvor Tom Ivey Violetta Nafpaktiti + Debbie Robinson 👏 #coops #cooperatives #icanewdelhi2024 #NamasteICA #IYC2025 #CoopYear #coopsBuildABetterWorld #vlog

✳️ #Coops – get more from your CUK membership with our Contact Package ✳️ Our member‑only Contact Package provides direct access to Co‑operatives UK’s expert advisers. And it just got better. The support package covers everything from governance, HR, legal and financial queries – and now health and safety support. Our advisers understand the unique challenges and needs of co‑operatives and community businesses, saving you time and providing tailored advice. Whether you’re running an AGM, reviewing governing documents, hiring staff, or navigating contracts, our Contact Package has you covered. 🔎 Find out more >> https://buff.ly/4fbZEzX

➡️ Guidance and support for closing co‑operatives ⬅️ Although #coops are proven to be more financially resilient than other businesses, there are still occasions when they face closure, winding down or insolvency. We have guidance for: 📖 Solvent societies looking to dissolve or cancel their registration: https://buff.ly/4f7mRTU 📖 Societies facing financial strife: https://lnkd.in/eEVenNRw Our advice team also has access to a network of insolvency practitioners who understand co‑operatives. Contact the Advice Team for more info: https://lnkd.in/eAEPwWMn

NEW GUIDANCE TO HELP ENSURE YOUR CO‑OP’S SUCCESS... Succession planning – putting plans in place to fill key roles in your organisation when they become vacant – can reduce the risk of losing crucial skills and help ensure long‑term success. Our new guidance provides good practice succession planning considerations and actions for co‑operatives. 🔎 See it here 👉 https://buff.ly/4gpg1dv #coops #cooperatives #successionplanning #businessplanning

✊ BE PART OF IT. We are proud to be part of this powerful short film that celebrates shared ownership in the West Midlands. 💪 ‘Be Part of It’ is a poem created by Jasmine Gardosi, former Birmingham Poet Laureate, captured on film with moves from Dance Co-operative Birmingham. 😍 It includes footage of West Midlands co-operatives and mutuals GLUE Collective, the The Developer Society and Hockley Mint – all captured by the brilliant by media co-op. 📺 WATCH IN FULL a film that showcases the diversity of creative co-operative industries, and people, in the region 👉 https://lnkd.in/efe3u3C2 👏 The film was commissioned by the West Midlands Ownership Hub – a partnership between West Midlands Combined Authority, Co‑operatives UK and the eoa – and funded by Power to Change. #coops #mutuals #creatives #creativeindustries #ownership #bepartofit