Case studies
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Coming together to build a local hub: Smarden Community Store
Content by Booster Fund
Smarden is a village close to Ashford in Kent. In 2019, its post office and shop closed, so local residents decided to raise funds to build a new store with post office and café services.
3 years 5 months
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Growing the community: Sutton Community Farm
Content by Booster Fund
The Community Shares Booster Programme enabled Sutton Community Farm to build a much-needed new barn and build a larger membership to better engage the local community and widen their customer base.
3 years 5 months
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On the front foot through challenging times: October Books
Content by Business support for co-ops
In January 2020, October Books, a worker-owned and run community bookshop in Southampton, was on the verge of taking great new strides.
3 years 9 months
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“Work that feels meaningful” – South East London Community Energy co‑op
Content by Business support for co-ops
Tea, coffee, cake and energy advice. Over 1,300 operational solar panels. Access to energy saving gizmos, insulation and grants. Put simply, this is how South East London Community Energy (SELCE)…
5 years 8 months
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“A great sense of community” – October Books
Content by Business support for co-ops
From constrained to creative. From frustrated to fulfilled. From boredom to belonging. That’s the difference being part of the October Books co-op has made to Jessica Haynes.
5 years 8 months
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Neighbouring community-owned energy co-ops benefit from peer mentoring
Content by Business support for co-ops
The Hive’s peer mentoring scheme has supported two neighbouring community-owned energy co-ops in South East London.
6 years 3 months