Just starting out?

Co-operative and mutual businesses are enjoying a renaissance. Interest in starting, converting to or growing co-operatives is coming from all sectors of the economy - from public services to public relations. Even if you've been giving start-up advice for some time, it's still possible that you've never had to advise somebody who's thinking about starting a co-operative before. Or perhaps you're looking for a simple, clear explanation of the basics to work through with a client. Co-operatives UK can help you.

What is a co-operative?

If you want a simple guide to everything you need to think about before starting a co-operative, to getting the initial idea to the first day of opening. If you or your client would like a simple grounding in the world of co-operation, just visit www.uk.coop/start: you'll find guides, resources and a help quiz to give you the basic information you'll need to properly consider the co-operative alternative. And once you've done that, you can find out what's needed to turn a successful co-operative into an even more successful co-operative with www.uk.coop/grow, a helpful collection of resources, advice and case studies to help you understand what it takes to make a co-operative thrive.

Professional standards

We are currently developing national standards for co-operative business advisors across the UK. It’s early days in this ambitious project, which includes producing standards for both generalists and specialists working in the field, a register of practitioners, and continuing professional development.

More information will be published on this website but for information you can also contact John Goodman here at Co-operatives UK, john.goodman@uk.coop or Jim Brown at jim.brown@bakerbrown.co.uk

Keep up-to-date

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