Co-operative Assistance Network Limited

How can co-operation and co-operatives be seen not just as relevant, but as a central organising principle in the climate movement? What is the best way that we can together build effective alliances across communities that address the need for systemic change? Why is climate justice a central issue for the co-operative movement?

This conference will be an important focal point and - we hope - an energising springboard for practical action at scale.

Go here for more information and to register. Early Bird prices hold until 20th September.

Ways Forward is organised by Platform 6 Development Co-operative Limited, which is supported by CAN through the provision of a director.

Village community enterprise at Little Canfield in Essex

Community Economic Development (CED) is all about people coming together to have a positive effect on their local economy.

Whether it’s to create, or save, a village resource like a community shop, pub or pop-up market, or perhaps to acquire or renovate a building to create a shared local space for community activities or use as a venue, CED involves people shaping their local communities and their local economies.

They could come together as individuals, or as a group of representative organisations.

Voluntary organisations or local businesses could also work jointly to create economic opportunities for mutual advantage – and consequently also benefit the communities in which they operate. And other key institutions such as colleges, hospitals, credit unions or the local authority could also become involved in CED projects.

CAN has worked with people on a raft of CED projects over the years.

Many small businesses struggle to maintain a coherent and up-to-date set of policies. There are two aspects to this: policy development and policy management, and we can help with both. We recently carried out a full review of our policy set and management systems and in doing so we have developed tools that we are keen to share with our clients.

We're pleased to bring you news of another CAN-supported community share offer, again in Bristol: Stokes Croft Land Trust hit its minimum target of £272,000 in early May to unlock £75K from the Booster Fund, managed by Co-ops UK.  

Helping to safeguard ‘this vital community space’

 
“CAN went above and beyond…” Emma Moore, Director, Zion Community Space

CAN was pleased to be called in to support the development of a community share offer for Zion Community Art Space, which for over 11 years has provided a vital community hub in parts of Bristol. The community share offer is now live and the capital raised will purchase the building that it currently leases and safeguard all that goes on there for future generations.

“Changing lives through social connections is at the heart of what we do,” says Zion, which over the years has provided a place to chat over a cup of tea or lunch, somewhere to meet friends, learn something new, find a support group or to enjoy comedy, music, theatre and more.

The community benefit society says that to safeguard this “vital community space for the future” and to create a “bigger and better community hub for all in Bedminster Down, Bishopsworth and beyond” it decided to launch its offer.

Enabling an active and involved community in Wolverton

Brian Titley from CAN and Marie Osborne from Future Wolverton with the Business Impact in the Community award

CAN client Future Wolverton walked away with the Business Impact in the Community Award at the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards in March.

‘On a mission for financial literacy’

CAN is helping a number of clients to set up their finances using Xero accounting software, to give them a greater understanding and control over their financial management.

Putting power back where it belongs – with givers and receivers of care

CAN recently provided some timely consultancy for Equal Care Co-op, which is developing co-operative models of care and has just launched a community share offer.

CAN has been upgrading its human resources offer to help organisations to understand their HR needs and meet recent customer demand created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

CAN collaborates with University of Bristol on co-op research project

CAN recently worked with the University of Bristol on a research project which sought to compile up-to-date information on the size and health of the city’s co-operative sector, and to understand what #BuildBackBetter, ‘post-Covid’, means to local co-ops.