Case studies
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Co-op News: connecting co-operators worldwide
First published in Manchester in 1871, Co-op News is a news service reporting on the activity of co-operatives throughout the world.
2 years 9 months
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“I feel valued and listened to.” – Signalise co-op
Content by Co-op Fortnight
Signalise is a sign language interpretating service that aims to revolutionise the way healthcare providers request, contract and deliver interpreting services for deaf people.
2 years 10 months
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A pedal powered local community champion – Chorlton Bike Deliveries
Content by Business support for co-ops
Chorlton Bike Deliveries Co-op has achieved a great deal in a short space of time. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced the UK’s first lockdown, the inhabitants of Chorlton in south Manchester took to…
3 years 3 months
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Bringing a Victorian ballroom back to life: Stretford Public Hall
Content by Booster Fund
Booster funding matched the investment provided by over 800 local residents to fund the restoration of Stretford Public Hall’s Victorian grade II listed ballroom, for community use.
3 years 5 months
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From car park to paradise: Hulme Community Garden Centre
Content by Booster Fund
Hulme Community Garden Centre is a charity owned by its community, employing nine local people and with a turnover of £300k per annum. When it wanted to grow its indoor space and social impact, the…
3 years 5 months
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Supporting the local community: Projekts MCR
Content by Booster Fund
Following a successful crowd funding campaign, Projekts MCR secured £134,338 with 70 investors in 64 days to expand their skate park, add energy-saving LED floodlights and be better able to support…
3 years 6 months
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Case study: Carbon Co‑op’s online AGM
Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, many co-ops have had to adapt so much of their member engagement, including moving AGMs online.
3 years 7 months
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Designing a creative co‑op: Creative Coop
After eight years toiling away in London for design agencies Ben Philp was, to put it bluntly, “fed up”. Multi-tiered chains of command, a lack of ethics and long hours for limited reward had all…
3 years 9 months
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Making Manchester’s The Meteor “bigger, better and more influential”
Content by Business support for co-ops
The Meteor is an independent, community‑based media outlet that’s been providing news, features and commentary to the people of Manchester since 2016. In July 2019, it became a co‑op.
4 years 2 months
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Local wealth is made in Wigan
Content by Empowering Places
Some 15,000 people live in Wigan’s Abram Ward. “It used to be called ‘Giro City’,” says David Baxter, Principal Officer of Made in Wigan – which is tackling social inequality in the area.
4 years 3 months
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Signalise Co-op: “We bring deaf people and interpreters together”
Content by Business support for co-ops
"We know of a deaf man who was in hospital for 21 days without any interpreting support. Global agencies often provide poor sign language services in favour of profit," explains Jen Smith on why…
4 years 5 months
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Farmers stand united through co‑operation: Aspatria Farmers
The UK’s farmers must stand united to combat the threat of multi-national corporations in the food supply chain, says Tim Wilson, CEO of Aspatria Farmers.
4 years 8 months
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A co-op with people power that keeps a proud heritage alive: Norwich Mustard
Content by Co-op Fortnight
Norwich Mustard co-op is proof that when an industry that’s been synonymous with a city for centuries is suddenly shut down by a large multinational – there’s a way for individuals to take control and…
4 years 9 months
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A co-operative community of wine lovers: The Wine Society
Content by Co-op Fortnight
The Wine Society has been selling quality wines at affordable prices since 1874. “We’re one of the original Victorian co-ops,” says Public Relations Manager Ewan Murray.
4 years 9 months
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Projekts MCR – a skatepark changing lives in Manchester
Content by Business support for co-ops
Projekts MCR is a skatepark based in Manchester city centre. It recently received support from The Hive – the support programme for co-ops delivered by Co‑operatives UK in partnership with The…
5 years 4 months
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“Co-operation was the natural choice” – Natural Foodstore Diss
Content by Business support for co-ops
When the owner of the The Natural Foodstore in Diss, Norfolk, announced her plans to retire after over 25 years, workers at the store decided to take action...
5 years 12 months