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With the Bank of England emergency interest announcement today, and reports of stockpiling, we know that many organisations are keeping a close eye on their financial position.

If you are a customer and are facing any financial difficulties as result of the current situation then please get in touch so that we may help.

Co-operative and Community Finance are monitoring the current COVID-19 situation and have contingency plans in place that will enable us to operate throughout any eventuality.

We are continuing to monitor the latest reports and advice from the Government, Department of Health, the National Health Service and the World Health Organisation and should it be required the business is able to support all staff working from home.

We are following Government guidance for businesses and are also looking at reducing the requirement for people to travel on public transport (for example, making use of telephone or video-conferencing rather than face-to-face meetings) so current diaries may need to be re-organised.

Again – if you are a customer and are facing any financial difficulties as result of the current situation then please get in touch so that we may help.

The carols are in the air, the sprouts are on the grocery shelves – it can only mean one thing. Christmas.

In these uncertain times it can feel hard to think too far ahead, but we spoke to the team and asked what they’d be asking Santa for. Can you spot the theme running through their wishlists?

Operations and FCA Compliance Manager Alain says,

“All I’d like for Christmas is to help communities to help themselves. This can be done by investing in shares in ICC that enables vital neighbourhood regeneration, access to services and jobs through viable community businesses models, allowing your money to work for change across Britain. Happy Christmas!”

Business Development Manager Tim is thinking of festive cheer and says, ‘All I’d like for Christmas is to see the total number of pubs taken into community ownership by Christmas 2019 exceed 100, and perhaps I could ask that there be over 380 shops in community ownership supporting rural and neighbourhood communities too.’

Investment manager Ian has gone all out and we can’t really disagree:

‘I would like for Christmas: A new bike from Edinburgh bike co-op, a Falkirk Foundry Garden bench from Specialised Castings, a food hamper from Rice Up, Book vouchers for October Books, a case of beer from Boundary Brewing Co-op, Organic CBD Coconut Oil from Hempen … oh, is it not just about me?  I guess then I’d like people to create positive change by buying their Christmas presents from their local workers co-op.’

Finally, Accounting and Administration Manager Anne says, ‘All I would like for Christmas is to establish stronger partnerships with other institutions to provide co-ops & community owned businesses with not only financing opportunities tailored to their needs but also the financial tools they need to serve their communities.’

Whatever you’re hoping for this Christmas, we hope it includes peace, love, rest and connections with people you care about – and present you can give, receive, enjoy and see the meaning in.

Over the past two years, the Co-op Foundation has awarded more than £2.1 million in interest-free loans and grants to help community spaces all over the UK build their trading activities and become more financially sustainable.

Spaces supported include a community-run lido in Cornwall, a village hall in the Hebrides and a co-operative farm in Northern Ireland.

Grangetown United, a community centre in the north east of England, received £80,000 of investment to help turn a derelict building into a vibrant hub for local people. ‘If the centre wasn’t open I’d just be sat at home…’ Watch the lovely video here or read more

We are proud to have supported the development and roll out of this highly successful fund, in an advisory capacity. The fund will pause after Christmas to evaluate its success and anticipated to reopen at some point later in 2020. The deadline for final applications is 31st December 2019. Click here to find out more and submit your application before the end of the year.

Today, 10th December, is Human Rights Day, a United Nations designated Day.

The date was chosen to honour the UN’s adoption and proclamation, shortly after World War II, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

This was the first global articulation of human rights. Many women were involved in its creation and development, not least Eleanor Roosevelt who was ultimately, posthumously, awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize.

Human rights are at the foundation of co-ops and co-operative working. They are the original social enterprises, businesses that put people and planet first, recognising that we can trade, thrive and do business with one another, only if we have a healthy environment and society to do that within.

Like the UDHR, co-operatives businesses are based on clearly stated values and principles – read them here These steer our work, guide our decisions and help us do what we’ve set out to – live thrive, and care for others. Movements like FairTrade are closely connected with co-ops, and many co-ops choose to trade in only, or mostly, fairly and ethically traded goods.

We wish all our fellow co-operators a very happy Human Rights Day.

The Somerset community woodland was named national winner of the Connecting the Community Award, which we were proud to sponsor, at the Plunkett Foundation Rural Community Business Awards 2019

Neroche Woodlanders – a social enterprise based at Young Wood on the edge of the Blackdown Hills – has beaten competition from across the country to win the award, which celebrates a business that is tackling loneliness and isolation in rural areas.

The Plunkett Foundation supports rural communities across the UK to tackle the issues they face through community business.

James Alcock, Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation, said: “Neroche Woodlanders have made a huge difference to a lot of people. The small touch of working with a local bus company to connect services and bring people to the woods is an example of how they literally go the extra mile to help. This community business brings people together. They are very worthy recipients of the Connecting the Community Award and they will be an inspiration to others across the country. I’m delighted to be able to celebrate their continued success with this award.”

Twenty one community businesses were shortlisted for the 2019 Rural Community Business Awards. Finalists ranged from farms and pubs to cafés, shops and a woodland.

Tim Coomer, Business Development Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance, said: “We are thrilled for Neroche Woodlanders. Their programmes of work supporting the health and well-being of families and young and old alike through education and physical activity is a fantastic way to support their local community. Young Wood sounds like an amazing and inspirational place and in community stewardship will, I’m sure, be protected and managed for many future generations to come.”

The Plunkett Foundation is marking its centenary year. Since 2013 the charity has been recognising community businesses with their annual awards. This year the awards featured seven categories – all of which celebrate the achievements of groups across the country who have come together in community organisations and found the answer to the challenges they face through community businesses.

The awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 27 November at Burlington House in London.

Co-operatives UK popular Practitioners Forum is an annual sell-out, for very good reason. It offers superb, practical, professional development for people operating in key roles in co-operative businesses large and small.

Coming up in November, Practitioners Forum is made up of a series of specialist forums covering Communications, Finance, Governance, HR and Membership. Delegates are able to mix and match across forums creating a fantastic professional development opportunity for co-operative practitioners to learn from experts and network with peers.

Sessions this year include, ‘When will I be famous?’ which looks at generating broadcast media coverage for your co-op, a tax update from KPMG, peer to peer mental health support and much, much more.

Practitioners Forum 2019 takes place at The Studio, Manchester on Thursday 7 November. Book your place soon if you want to go! Unfortunately we can’t be there this year but if you do get to go along and come back inspired to start a new venture or have unanswered questions about finance then please do drop us a line!