It’s Co-op Fortnight from 22 June to 5 July, and with this year’s theme being Co-operate and we can change the world, there is no better time to celebrate how co-operatives are changing the lives of residents in Royal Greenwich.
Since launching our long-term vision, Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future, we have responded to a government call for evidence on the growth of co-operatives; supported the development of 65 businesses and honoured the importance of co-operatives and socially motivated businesses at our Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards. As well as pioneering new co-op led approaches to healthcare and awarded over £242,000 through the Community Energy Fund, we have also had the exciting news that £20 million of Pride in Place government funding will be coming to Thamesmead Birchmere Park, with decision-making being devolved to a board of community representatives.
Councillor Asli Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives, said: “We want Royal Greenwich to become a fairer and more equitable place by putting power into the hands of communities and building wealth from its foundations. Co-op Fortnight is great time to recognise the milestones we have reached since setting Together for Greenwich in motion and celebrate how co-operatives can empower local people and bring about real change.”
Ways we’re supporting local economic development co-operatively
Shaping national policy
Partnership and collaboration are at the core of Together for Greenwich. Earlier this year, we responded to the government's call for evidence on its ambition to double the co-operative and mutual sector. We brought together findings from our Co-operative Commission along with stakeholder research, insights from businesses and community lived experience, which will help shape future policy at a national level. London & Partners, a Mayor of London initiative, cited our co-operative focus in its Business Support Strategy as an example of how to support small businesses by raising awareness of mutual ownership.
Grants for new co-op businesses
Through the council’s Generative Business Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), we have supported 65 enterprises with grants, governance advice and early-stage development help, strengthening the local support system for people wanting to start and grow co-operatives or community-led businesses. A record number of co-operatives and social enterprises were shortlisted at the Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards in March, with Business of the Year going to Mama2Mama Baby Essentials, a baby bank and community hub, in recognition of the vital work they have done to support over 900 families last year. Mama2Mama has recently opened a new hub in Pett Street in Woolwich. The new category Co-operative or Community Business was awarded to UK Latin Community, a grassroots community interest company working across London to support children, young people and families.
Anchored in Greenwich
The Anchored in Greenwich partnership – a strategic network of major institutions and organisations based in the borough – continues to leverage their collective influence to bolster the local economy and keep business within Greenwich. We supported our Anchored in Greenwich partners, Greenwich and Bexley Credit Union, relocate premises by granting them a five-year lease to office space in the Woolwich Centre. We also established a Co-operative Champion Network for council staff to build internal expertise and encourage a culture of shared ownership and collaborative problem-solving.
Pride in Place funding
Twenty million pounds of government funding will be placed directly in the control of a community board to decide how it will be invested in Thamesmead Birchmere Park. From better community faculties, green spaces and cleaner streets to jobs and other opportunities for local people. The local MP, Abena Oppong-Asare, is running a survey to gather feedback on what residents' priorities are, and we are looking to recruit a chair who will lead the board.
Innovations in social care
We have made good progress in implementing co-operative ways of working to improve social care. In collaboration with the University of Greenwich and industry experts we have explored adult social care solutions that prioritise people over profit as part of a two-day hackathon, and have drafted a co-operative care compact with residents, workers, and care providers to define shared values and outcomes for a more co-operative care system. We are encouraging the growth of micro-enterprises to innovate new approaches to homecare, mental healthcare, and learning disability provision. There are twelve in progress, ranging from home-based support to SEND confidence building to community cooking skills. We have also launched the Greenwich Learning Partnership, a co-operative body for all our schools that will shape how we develop education for young people in the borough, strengthen support for children with SEND, and build long-term resilience across our school sector.
Community energy
Together for Greenwich supports community-led projects to generate and own renewable energy, cut back on carbon emissions, reduce fuel poverty and reinvest profits locally. A huge milestone was launching our £1 million Community Energy Fund, a four-year flagship initiative designed to supercharge renewable energy and make it more affordable, at the end of last year. Following the first round of applications, £242,305 will be awarded in total for six projects supporting pre-feasibility work, five projects focused on low-carbon heating and retrofitting, seven projects to deliver training and eleven projects that will directly reduce carbon emissions.
Want to learn more about co-operatives and community ownership?
- Join our partners Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA) for the Introduction to Co-operatives course on 1 July.
- Visit Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future to read the full strategy and the recommendations made by the Greenwich Co-operative Commission.
- Read our case studies in this year’s Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network (CCIN) annual publication.
- Get involved with CoopUK and share your stories by using the hashtag #CoopFortnight.
- Keep an eye on our social media channels for more updates.