News Archive
Recycled containers to house new co-op centre
One of the longest running co-operative enterprise centres in the UK is going to be rehoused in premises constructed from recycled shipping containers bought with a loan we provided. The Hendon Co-op Centre in Sunderland is being relocated a short distance into new, larger, innovative and environmental premises. For over 25 years the centre has […]
Top London social enterprise to deliver government Work Programme
We have made a second loan to a training provider, this time to assist its delivery of a major government contract to help people from ethnic minorities find work. The Twist Partnership (Twist) is a social enterprise that delivers learning and training programmes to individuals, groups and organisations. Twist’s aim is to empower its participants […]
New Housing Co-op in London
A new venture in collective living in North London is about to start, made possible by substantial loans from Co-operative & Community Finance, the Co-operative Loan Fund and the Ecology Building Society. The Drive Housing Co-op will complete the purchase of a large detached property in Walthamstow on 29 July. The Victorian building, which was […]
Improving energy efficiency in social housing
A unique service that helps providers of social housing to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency is able to continue and expand thanks to a loan from Co-operative & Community Finance. Greater London Energy Efficiency Network (GLEEN) has worked with a range of social landlords to develop a web-based management system to issue Energy Performance […]
Only shop in the Village re-opens
A loan from us along with the hard work of a Cheshire community has produced over £100,000 to ensure their one precious shop doesn’t close. The only shop in the village of Gawsworth, Cheshire, will re-opened at 11am on 10 March, placing it happily in community hands. The community bought the property and refurbished the […]
Loan turns the heat on wood recycling social enterprise
Somerset Wood Recycling combines the environmental benefits of reuse and recycling with the social impact of providing training and opportunities for disadvantaged people. A loan from us is being used to part-finance the installation of a biomass heater in the warehouse of a wood recycling social enterprise. The commercial wood-burning stove will warm the employees […]