Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

Co-operative Womens Challenge 2020

The Co-operative Group Northern Region Membership Team has been working hard on the Womens Challenge. In particular the Widening Opportunities for Women Challenge which wants to widen participation in the Co-operative Movement. The Co-operative Group has committed itself to ensuring 33% of area committees are made up of women by 2014 rising to 50% by 2016.
The Northern Membersip Team have a mentoring programme for 20 women and are running recruit events on:

7th October Hull
10th October Whitby
14th October Hebden Bridge
15th October Sheffield
16th Newcastle
17th October Leeds

To book your place or find out more about the programme please contact Nicola.wylde@co-operative.coop or linda.gomila@co-operative.coop

Co-operative Enterprise Hub

The Co-operative Enterprise Hub is looking to inspire the next generation of co-operative pioneers and arm them with the necessary skills and knowledge to grow their co-operative and, in turn, the UK co-operative economy.

The Hub has been set up by The Co-operative as a one-stop shop for free advice, training and access to finance for new and existing co-operatives. Services are delivered, free of charge, throughout the UK by experienced co-operative development advisers.

Typically, the hub offer support to co-operatives that are:

Preparing to start trading
In their first year of trading
Experiencing rapid growth
Planning to move premises
Developing a new product, service or market
Wanting to change their management structure

To apply go to the Hub Website

Society for Co-operative Studies Annual Conference 2013 - 'Making the Case for a Co-operative Future'

18-20 October 2013, Gilsland Spa Hotel, Cumbria

SCS are delighted to be using the Co-operative Movement's own hotel and conference centre at Gisland Spa as our venue for the first time.

The theme for the conference, "Making the Case for a Co-operative Future" reflects recent developments in some of the largest co-operative enterprises in the UK and the ICA's Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade.   It gives SCS an opportunity to explore together how we can make a convincing case for the future of 'Co-operation' through data, planning, strategy, education and by drawing inspiration from our history and from practical examples in the UK and further afield.

Contributors include:
- David Button (Key-Note Speaker)
- Chris Herries (Chair, Co-operatives UK)
- Stephen McCusker (Loop Systems / Manchester School of Architecture)
- Rosie Evered & Sean Farmelo (Students for Co-operation)
- Bob Yuill (Scottish Agircultural Organisation Society)

Full details here

Yorkshire Co-operative Resource Centre

Co-operatives Yorkshire & Humber have initiated the setting up of a co-operative resource, learning and information centre at:

Aizlewood's Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield, S3 8GG

contact Steve Thompson

steve.thompson@phonecoop.coop

mob: 0758 1669 640

Co-operators have had no accessible centre for co-operative information and resources in Yorkshire, but things are about to change.

The success of the Co-operative Movement is largely due to the emphasis in education and information right from the start. The reading room and library in the Rochdale Pioneers store in Toad Lane set the mould for access to co-operative education.The Society used to organise lectures and classes there, and it was a permanent resource for learning. Education was placed as a core principle for a very good reason. Without informed members, there would be a failed Movement. Reading and education rooms were a common feature of all co-operative stores throughout the years of the Movement's growth.

Things changed in time. Co-operative education became more centralised and formal and distant.

The Sheffield Co-operative Development Group have provided a room at Aizlewood's Mill for the resource centre. A fascinating collection of resource materials which will form a starting point are already available. This centre will be a learning and information hub open to anyone who wants to develop their understanding of the Co-operative Movement or to gather specific information.

Full details here

Co-operative News

The fortnightly Co-operative News is the only publication that provides full coverage of the Co-operative Movement in the UK. Order your free sample copy today.

Tel: 0161 214 0870

or visit www.thenews.coop

Sheffield Co-operatives

For everything that you want to know about the Co-operative Movement in Sheffield see www.sheffield.coop

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber Enhanced Benefits Package

Join our enhanced scheme for a number of new benefits including a free place at Futures North 2011. The package is being delivered jointly with Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber and includes benefits such as membership of a business club for social enterprises and co-operatives and inclusion on a marketplace e-directory.

The package starts at just £25 for small co-operatives and full details can be downloaded here.

The Phone Co-op Affinity Scheme

CYH have an affinity scheme with The Phone Co-op. Any individual or organisation can join so If you're considering joining the The Phone Co-op there are several benefits you can receive by quoting our affinity number AF0461- details are available here.

If you are not a member but wish to be membership of Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber is free and open to all organisations who support co-operative values and principles. A membership form can be obtained by downloading a form from here