Further support and resources

Mentors should make use of their own experience, knowledge and networks to sign-post mentees to further advice, support agencies and resources etc.

Co-operatives UK

Co-operatives UK offers a useful step by step guide on setting up a co-operative (community business).

Co-operatives UK also provides a simple subsidised digital registration service to register your Co-operative or Community Benefit Society with a regulatory body on your behalf. Registration costs £150 which includes VAT and the statutory fee. This fee is subsidised thanks to The Co‑operative Bank, as part of Business Support for co-ops programme for co-ops. If you use this service, you will also receive one year's membership to Co‑operatives UK.

Our funding and support section lists a range of agencies, support programmes and funding agencies.

Community Shares

Community shares is a user-friendly name for withdrawable, non-transferable share capital, which is unique to co-operative and community benefit societies. Since 2012, over £200m has been raised by more than 126,000 people in community shares across the UK.