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Today, May 1st, is International Workers Day – a global celebration of workers and the working classes. Who better to talk about today than workers.coop?

With the stated aim  of ‘Liberating Work’, and a belief ‘in a world where everyone has access to rewarding, meaningful and sustainable work’, workers.coop was conceived two years ago, at the Worker Co-op Weekend in May 2022. Five months later, in October 2022, the Co-operative Society was registered and work began apace.

Nineteen months after registration, today, workers.coop has firmly established itself as a part of the UK co-op scene.

It has 87 members, numerous working groups, a busy events calendar and ambitions plans – we particularly like their plans to spread the word about worker cooperation among new generations and groups of workers. In an increasingly task based work environment, with limited opportunities for personal growth and leaning, the need for a focus on workers is only increasing.

They are running the ever popular Worker Co-op Weekend in a few weeks, from May 17th to 19th in Bakewell. A recent addition to their offering is the (bookable online) “Co-op Conversations” service where people can talk through an early stage co-op idea with one of workers.coop supporters. They also have a busy online forum where members can chat, share ideas and ask questions.

Their website is packed with information and resources. There are case studies from across the co-op space demonstrating the scope of the model – Agile Collective, Fruit Works Co-op and Leading Lives covering different sectors; websites, fruit trees and social care. They outline reasons to join – from the values led to the financial. All members of workers.coop can save 50% on their membership of Co-operatives UK, and worker co-ops in start up mode can ‘pay what they can’ for two years.

Find out more about workers.coop on their website here

Explore their events calendar here

Find their resources here

Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) has launched new episodes of its Reset and Rebuild podcast highlighting the benefits of inclusive business models.

Hosted by Co-operative Development Scotland team leader, Darah Zahran, and featuring experts from Greencity Wholefoods, Co-operate Scotland LLP, Worker Co-op Federation, us and ground-breaking new booking co-operative Kooble, the podcasts have been produced to support CDS’ wider campaign to showcase the role inclusive business models, such as employee ownership and co-operatives, can play in creating a fairer, stronger and more democratic economy. The series showcases success stories from the sector and providing practical information to those considering one of these models.

This series of podcasts sets out to energise businesses, communities, policy makers and the wider eco system in Scotland to consider inclusive business models and encourage them to connect with CDS to access support.

The Reset and Rebuild Podcast series is now available to listen/ download on the Co-operative Development Scotland blog site: https://bit.ly/49eUMag

Our own Business Development manager Tim Coomer features in Episode 16, which explores understanding and accessing finance as a key challenge for new and growing coops. Listen here

Today, the 7th of April, is World Health Day. The theme for World Health Day 2024 is ‘My health, my right’. To mark this day, we’re profiling a co-operative that is working towards more accessible healthcare.

Signalise is a platform co-operative run by its members to provide interpreting services for people who need to book BSL interpreters and other communication professionals in Liverpool and Merseyside.

They aim to have membership from the three user groups involved in Deaf people’s access to health care – Deaf people; other interested parties such as healthcare providers and commissioners who need to purchase services and have a statutory duty to care for Deaf service users, and the communication professionals who facilitate communication between Deaf people and health staff.

A few years ago, when starting up, Signalise were keen to find out what all three user groups thought about interpreting services for Deaf people. They undertook a survey of users across the five boroughs of Merseyside; Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley & St Helens. You can read the report Signing the right path here.

Did you know it costs the NHS £30 million per year in the poor diagnosis and ineffective treatment of Deaf people? The current system doesn’t work and leaves Deaf people without any choice or control. Interpreters have boycotted agencies who demonstrate a lack of knowledge and respect of the Deaf community and interpreting. Agencies have gone into liquidation as a result of traditional working practices that cannot meet demand led services. This is why the work that Signalise does is so important.

Find out more about Signalise here.

This week, from the 18th to the 24th March, is Neurodiversity Week.

Conversations about diversity and inclusion are increasingly including neurodiversity and this week aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about, and celebrate, neurological differences, as part of the infinite variety of ways to be human. How familiar are you with the concept?

The term is a broad one, created in 1998 by Judy Singer, and tends to include varied ways of thinking or experiencing the world such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Autism, ADHD and Tourettes Syndrome. The Neurodoversity Week Resource Hub is packed with information collated from across the internet to help us all understand more about Neurodiversity.

The Week, and the campaign, want to help us all recognise and celebrate those who think differently. As with so many campaigns by and for those of us who stand outside the mainstream, they state that the main problems neurodivergent people face frequently come from systemic and structural issues, inside systems designed by and for the majority.

There are lots of events running throughout the week, starting with an Introduction to Neurodiversity on Monday 18th and including Neurodiversity for HR Professionals, and Good Practice for Neurodiversity Professionals.

Are you part of an organisation that wants to increase your support for neurodivergent people? Check out the full calendar at a glance in a handy table here and sign up through the individual event links below the table.

After many years of supporting Stir To Action, we’re delighted to announce that once again we’re one of the sponsors of this years Festival, with our sister organisation, the Co-op Loan Fund

The ABCs Festival will be a two-day interactive event at Bristol’s Arts Mansion at Ashton Court from 10-11 July 2024.

Always an inspiring event, providing not only great insights but the opportunity to make great connections – we’ll be there. Join us and hundreds of other people who are transforming their local economy and participate in practical workshops, inspirational panels, and ideas surgeries.

The evening will see entertainment from live bands and DJs from across the UK.

Tickets are on sale now, with Early Bird single day tickets starting at £35. Book now – see you there!

Today, February 20th, is the World Day of Social Justice an international day recognising the need to promote social justice. Adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on 10 June 2008, approved by the UN on 26 November 2007 and starting in 2009, this day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of creating a fair and inclusive society for all

At the heart of the day is the ILO Declaration which focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all, through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights.

World Social Justice Day, and cooperatives and community businesses, share a profound connection rooted in their commitment to fostering fairness, inclusivity, and economic equality.

Cooperatives, as collaborative enterprises owned and operated by their members, embody social justice principles by prioritising democratic decision-making, equitable distribution of benefits, and community empowerment. These entities contribute directly to addressing the social and economic disparities we see around us.

While the UN points out that momentum is growing around the belief that social justice is a vital, central tenet of happy and healthy societies, significant injustices persist and there is much work to be done.

On this day, we look around us at the cooperatives and community businesses we work with and we see that change is possible when people are put at the heart.

As we reported back in October, music co-op The Globe is reaching a milestone this year.

10 YEARS A CO-OP is a five-day, multi-genre music festival that celebrates the tenth anniversary of The Globe being community owned. On 30 April 2014 it became the first pub/venue in the UK to be owned and run by a cooperative committed to live music.

Ten years ago The Globe was a failing pub. Today it is a thriving grassroots venue that holds over 30 gigs a month and hosts workshops and courses for musicians, songwriters and dancers. This is a remarkable achievement and well worth celebrating.

The festival line up includes rock, jazz, folk/acoustic and more. It features national and local artists and performances by emerging musicians from The Globe’s programme of learning and participation. Scroll down for more details of the programme.

Buy tickets early
The Globe is a relatively small venue and we expect some events will be sold out, so we recommend buying tickets well in advance. As an extra incentive we are offering a limited number of Earlybird tickets at a reduced price.

Livestream available
We will be livestreaming the first and last gigs of the festival. The livestream video can be watched live, or after the event.

Join us
Running a small music venue is often a struggle and in recent years many have closed down. We are convinced that The Globe has succeeded because it’s community owned. People have been prepared to get involved, share their skills and experience and invest time and money when we’ve really needed it. We need new people to join the cooperative and help guide The Globe through the next 10 years. Details of how to join are here https://jazz.coop/join-us-membership-form/

PROGRAMME

Friday 26 April
Folk/Americana concert featuring Izzie Walsh + Jeri Foreman & Ruth Eliza + Catch The Sparrow
followed by late night Old Time jam session

Saturday 27 April
A day and night of Indie Alt-Rock/Pop bands including Pensacola Mist, Goodsprings, Fiona Liquid, Marginal Gains, Fashion Tips
followed by late night DJ session

Sunday 28 April
A relaxed afternoon jazz jam session and a foot-stomping evening gig with New Orleans Swing Jazz band Alligator Gumbo followed by a swing dance DJ

Monday 29 April
Learning & Participation Showcase featuring participants from The Globe’s various courses and workshops including Bluegrass, Folk, Jazz and Songwriting

Tuesday 30 April
This day is the anniversary of The Globe becoming community owned. There will be celebrations in the early evening with buffet, cake and good cheer. It’s also International Jazz Day so we will round off the festival with the Clark Tracey Quintet featuring some of the best jazz musicians in the UK.

Book your tickets and find out more about this incredible milestone event here

Are you ready to join a new generation of co-operative advisors who are committed to democracy in the workplace and local communities?

Through Stir To Action, the Co-op Culture barefoot training programme is enrolling now, for an April start. Also available is standalone Finance training on January 30th.

• Could you apply the skills and experience you have developed working in a co-operative or community business to support other organisations?
• Are you already offering informal mentoring support to other co-operatives and community businesses?
• Would you like paid work in co-operative development? Could this be the next step in your career?

If the answer to the above is yes, check out the programme, meet the trainers and apply, here.