On behalf of the movement, Co‑operatives^UK undertakes and seeks opportunities wherever possible to influence and shape public policy, ensuring the views of co‑operatives are heard and represented. We encourage our members to help form our policy work, responding to government consultations on a range of issues that affect co‑operative businesses. We also practively seek opportunities for new policies or changes in existing areas that affect our members.

To find out more about our current policy areas, click here.

This service aims to help co‑operators develop themselves and the businesses they are involved in. Each year thousands of people come together in regional, national and international events to learn from one another and to share experiences of co‑operation.

Our programme of events has been put together to support all the different sections of the co‑operative movement - some events aim to provide specialist knowledge and networking opportunities while others aim to showcase the work and aspirations in all sections of the economy.

Examples of events delivered by Co‑operatives^UK include:

• Secretaries Forum
• Accountants' Forum
• Worker Co‑operative Forum
• UK Co‑operative Forum
• National Retail Consumer Conference

To check out a current programme of events delivered across the movement go to www.events.coop

Members have access to a series of information resources and publications from Co‑operatives^UK, mostly free of charge or at a reduced fee for our members. Our publications range rom Starting a Co‑operative through to Trading for Mutual Benefit.

To find out more about our publications, click here.

Co‑operatives^UK, through its membership and the wider co‑operative movement, obtains information on the financial performance of co‑operatives and mutual organisations, to help build a picture of the size and scope of the movement in the UK. This information feeds into the annual publication of the Co‑operative Review, presented at our annual conference.

Members are also encouraged to measure and improve their financial, co‑operative, environmental and social performance through a series of ten indicators for the movement. These indicators have been developed by Co‑operatives^UK's Co‑operative Performance Committee.

Along with the Co‑operative Performance publication, Co‑operatives^UK undertakes research into specific areas that may affect or be of interest to our members. In the past these have included regeneration, business support and diversity across the movement. Some of these develop into policy initiatives or help inform our work with government or requirements for training across the movement.

To find our more about our annual Co‑operative Review click here.

Along with more direct political lobbying, Co‑operatives^UK works on behalf of the movement to raise the profile of co‑operation at a regional, national, European and international level. This is delivered and facilitated by Co‑operatives^UK, its members and partners.

The work includes getting involved wherever and whenever we can to spread the word about co‑operation. In the past this has included speaking at events, promoting co‑operatives to the national and specialist media and working with regional co‑operative council partners.

Co‑operatives^UK also offers its members help in writing and distributing press releases. This service is delivered by Co‑operatives^UK.

To talk to somebody at Co‑operatives^UK about help with your press releases, contact Giles Simon on 0161 246 2941.

Co‑operatives^UK administers and facilitates a Co‑operative Business Development Panel. The panel is made up of individuals from member co‑operatives across the movement who are tasked with identifying new opportunities across the co‑operative movement.

The work of panel has resulted in a range of new projects and strands of key work. These include Community Investment, community shares work with government, publications on co‑operative consortia, and waste recycling co‑operatives.

To find out more about the Business Development Panel, click here.

Along with our co‑operative development members, we offer a wide range of legal services, free or at a discounted rate for our members. These include:

• Constitutional & Governance Advice - Members can access advice, guidance and support on any issues relating to their constitutions and governance arrangements within their business.

  Issues can range from reviewing and amending their governing documents through to a complete review of their governance arrangements and advice and support on establishing good governance practices.

• Employment Law Helpline - Specific advice is provided on any aspect of employment law that relates to a member's business. Issues can range from contracts of employment, disciplinary and grievance procedures, adoption and maternity pay and leave and redundancy.

• Legal Surgery - Up to 2 hours per query free legal advice provided by Co‑operatives^UK legal team in partnership with Cobbetts Solicitors. The advice can be for any legal matter that relates to a member's business, including leasing issues, employment matters and contractual arrangements.

Members can receive a full accountancy service from Co‑operatives^UK, including simple, impartial and accurate information regarding accountancy related queries. This is delivered by our Finance Team, and wherever possible by others across the co‑operative movement.

The service includes management accounting services (creation and maintenance of management recording systems), preparation and submission of annual returns, and credit control.

To find out more about our Accountancy Services, contact Michael Shepherd on 0161 246 2975.

Co‑operatives^UK facilitates a national steering group, on behalf of the movement, to encourage co‑operative businesses to engage Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in their business. Members can access information and resources online to help develop more inclusive ways of engaging and attracting a wider range of customers, members or employees.

To find out more, click here.

Members have access to a series of information resources, with a focus on governance, mostly free of charge, or at a reduced rate for members. These include:

• Factsheets on a range of legal and constitutional issues, including directors' duties, IPS legislation, roles and responsibilities of the Secretary, register of mergers and money laundering. To find out more about our legal and constitutional factsheets call out legal team on 0161 246 2900, or email legal@cooperatives-uk.coop
• Worker of governance, and further resources on good governance for worker co‑operatives.
• Consumer Society corporate code of governance.

Outside of events, Co‑operatives^UK encouarges its members to connect with other members across the movement to seek advice, information and best practice. Members can contact Co‑operatives^UK to link them up with other similar businesses or businesses with similar issues or ideas to help provide solutions, generate ideas and share information.

Contact John Atherton (Worker Co‑operatives)

Contact Sundeep Grewal

Free Business Banking for all members with a turnover of £1 million or less, provided in partnership with the Co‑operative Bank.  There are negotiated rates for those businesses whose turnover is above the million pound threshold.

Free business banking means no monthly service charge and no fees for crediting or debiting funds to or from the account.

Also, as account holders, members help support other co‑operatives. For every £100 held in balances, the Co‑operative Bank donates 20p to the Co‑operatives^UK New Start Loan Fund, which provides money for new co‑operative and mutual enterprises.

To find out more click here.

Provided by The Co‑operative Insurance says, our members can access a choice of products and services to help them protect what matters most, at an affordable price. All the tailor made package policies come with a host of great benefits to ensure your co‑operative has the cover it needs.

• A choice of cover ‑ designed to meet the specific needs of your co‑operative.
• A 24 hour freephone claims line ‑ if the worst happens and you need to make a claim you can contact us any time of the day or night via our free claims line, email or fax.
• Free Commercial Legal Protection cover ‑ providing protection for legal costs and expenses for events such as; debt recovery, employment disputes, tax protection, contract disputes and bodily injury.

The Co‑operative Insurance has a team of experts on hand to give advice on your insurance needs and they realise that one size doesn't necessarily fit all. If your insurance needs are a little more complex they are happy to build a bespoke insurance solution from their range of market leading products. With their bespoke policies there are another great range of benefits including a dedicated relationship manager, a team of specialist underwriters on hand to give advice and risk management advice available online or via the risk advice helpline

Click here to find out more.

Members are eligible for a direct 6% discount on the cost of their business telecommunications. The service is provided by the Phone Co‑op on behalf of Co‑operatives^UK. 

Members of Co‑operatives^UK who sign up with the Phone Co‑op are also eligible for:

• a free 0845 number - normally £60 per annum.
• a free 0870 number - normally £60 per annum.
• access to the full range of Phone Co‑op services.

*Please note that the discount does not apply to line rental charges.

To find our more click here.

Co‑operatives^UK faciltates and supports our members getting the most of coming together, including discounts and special offers between our members. There are many services that our members offer that they wish to offer at a discount to other members and to help promote the co‑operative Principle 6. Anyone of our members can upload their logo and offer descripion on to our Member Offer page and start offering a discount to other members.

Click here to see the current member to member discounts.

Co‑operatives^UK provides a starter website for members, focusing on those that are just starting out, or do not yet have a presence on the web.

The service includes working with the member to develop a webpage and providing training and guidance on how to amend the website. The service is intended to provide a basic first presence on the web, and only includes a simple point and click functionality.