Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Co-operatives UK launches online support service for Third Sector and charitable organisations

by Ethos public relations

The national trade association for co-operatives – Co-operatives UK – has today launched a new online support service to enable more organisations to benefit from its established legal support service for the whole of the third sector.

For 30 years, Co-operatives UK has been providing specialist registration services to the community and voluntary sector and has helped over 400 third sector organisations register or restructure.

As the trade body that campaigns for co-operation and works to promote, develop and unite co-operatives, Co-operatives UK has unique tools and resources to help guide people through the early stages of setting up not just co-operatives but all kinds of third sector and charitable organisations.

Now, its new online support service will enable more people in the third and charitable sectors access vital information and legal expertise. The new online service will include:

• Access to Co-operatives UK’s experienced Legal Team, which offers high quality professional legal and governance advice and guidance to new start and established third sector organisations;
• A ‘set fee service’ which provides third sector organisations with bespoke legal support and deals with all regulatory bodies at a guaranteed price.
• An accessible guide through all of the basic steps to consider before setting up a third sector organisation;
• Case studies and examples of how other successful third sector and charitable businesses work;
• Links to relevant resources and publications.

“Our new Third Sector website makes our legal and registration services more accessible” says Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK.

“We provide a comprehensive range of legal support services to third sector organisations - from model rules to governance guidance, company registration to new business structures.

“And our new website will be able to provide more help and support to organisations across the board – from small social enterprises who are just starting out to existing businesses looking to expand or established charities in need of affordable advice.

“Businesses can be assured that there are no hidden costs, with our set fee service,” Ed Mayo adds.

“And for those who require additional help, our team also provides a dedicated follow-on assistance and support programme.”

To access the new online support service for third sector organisations, please visit www.uk.coop/thirdsector/third-sector

You can also follow Co-operatives UK on Twitter @CooperativesUK and on Facebook - www.facebook.com/CooperativesUK

Posted at 15^th August 2012

Co-operatives UK launches online support service for start-up co-operatives

by Ethos public relations

With a surge of interest in co-operatives, the national trade association for co-operatives - Co-operatives UK - has today launched a new online support service for start-up co-operatives.

As the trade body that campaigns for co-operation and works to promote, develop and unite co-operatives, Co-operatives UK has unique tools and resources to help guide people through the early stages of setting up a co-operative business.

It provides assistance and support to help start-up co-operatives get off the ground and is at the heart of a national network of specialist co-operative business advisers who can provide further advice.

The new online support service will help to strengthen Co-operatives UK’s position as the first port of call for anyone thinking about starting a co-operative – a business that is owned and run by its members.

The new online support service for start-up co-operatives will include:

-  An accessible guide through all of the basic steps to consider before setting up a co-operative;

-  A useful quiz designed to help determine whether the co-operative option is the right one;

-  Case studies and examples of how other successful co-operatives work;

-  Links to relevant resources and publications;

-  Clear links to specialist business advisers who can help make a co-operative dream a reality.

Commenting on the launch of the new online support service, Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “The co-operative sector as a whole has been outperforming the UK economy since the start of the credit crunch, reflecting a turn to more trusted businesses following the financial crisis of the last few years.

“With the co-operative way of doing business enjoying such a renaissance, our new online support service will really help people to develop their ideas and access the advice they need to build sustainable co-operative businesses.”

The new online support service launches as part of the International Year of Co-operatives 2012 - a unique opportunity for co-operative businesses and their members and supporters to come together as a global movement to promote how co-operatives build a better world.

This is the first of three phases of the new online support service. In May, the second stage will focus on how to grow a co-operative. In June the final phase will focus on providing business advisers with the support they need when working with co-operatives.

To access the new online support service for start-up co-operatives, please visit www.uk.coop/start.

To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.

Posted at 18^th April 2012