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Publications

See Magazines page for New Sector etc.

Understanding Social Enterprise was downloadable from Social Enterprise London - have a look under 'Social Enterprise?' section.

Co-operative Working 1, 2 and 3 is a part of a range of publications produced by Co-operatives Research Unit at the Open University- now at Social Enterprise Research Unit?? A selection of learning materials covering different aspects and different stages in the development of worker co-ops. From CRU, Technology Faculty, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, phone 01908 653054, email: A.S.Walters@open.ac.uk

Radical Routes How to set up a workers' co-op and How to set up a housing co-op booklets. Contact Footprint Workers Co-op to check availablity, email: footprint@footprinters.co.uk

There is a Society for Co-operative Studies (international but based in UK) which publishes a regular Journal, but probably only for those really interested in all aspects of co-operative activity.

Networks and Educational

Academic providers, including School for Social Entrepreneurs, can be found on Professional Development page.

• CIC Association "the home of regulated social business".

• Community Action Network - CAN-online. Links activists and social entrepreneurs.

• Co-operative College.

• Social Enterprise Academy, in Scotland, providing learning and development programmes for leaders and potential leaders of social enterprises.

• Social Enterprise UK (was Social Enterprise Coalition) aims to provide a voice for the sector. Also see Social Enterprise Scotland (previously Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition).

• Social Enterprise Network is the national network for those with an interest in social enterprise and social entrepreneurship in health and care (in NHS).

• Social Firms UK works mainly through regional networks. They have some publications on mental health service users moving to work, asset transfer etc. (Social Firms are here defined as businesses set up to create employment for disabled people.)

• Social Enterprise Partnership has various of the other bodies mentioned here as partners/members. See their Register of Business Support for possible advisers etc.

By location

• Scotland: Senscot Social Entrepreneurs Network Scotland; Community Business Scotland Network. Directory for the Highlands Buy into Highland.

• Social Economy Network is for the Northern Ireland social economy.

• Wales Co-operative Centre.

• Social Enterprise London. Has plenty of useful info. 1a Aberdeen Studios, 22-24 Highbury Grove, London, N5 2EA, phone 020 7704 7490, email: info@sel.org.uk

• Co-Enterprise Business development agency for social enterprises and Community Business in Birmingham. Website disappeared Jan 2010, so may have closed. 138 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR, phone 0121 687 8790.

• Co-operative Futures supports development of social enterprises in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Swindon and Wiltshire.

• Social Economy East Midlands.

• Social Enterprise West Midlands; Birmingham & Solihull Social Economy Consortium.

• North East Social Enterprise Partnership.

• RISE - the voice for South West social enterprise.

Other web sites

• Assist Social Capital A Scottish project to promote the concept (and relevant action?).
  
  
• Community Development Foundation Social inclusion, regeneration, network society are some of the options.
  
  
• Community Enterprise Ltd Business Support, Training and Consultancy Services for the Social Economy, based in Edinburgh.
  
  
• Co-operative Assistance Network Trainers and consultants with various briefing sheets on the web site, including on housing, food and childcare co-ops.
  
  
• Co-operatives UK is the merged body of co-op 'trade associations' - worker, consumer, housing, community and other co-op types. Legal and other services and support, training. Holyoake House, Hanover St, Manchester, M60 0AS. Co-operative & Community Finance is a sister organisation providing loan finance for co-operatives, employee owned businesses and social enterprises.
  
  
• EMES Research Network European social economy research network.
  
  
• Learning City Network Developing learning partnerships between cities, employers and communities.
  
  
• LetsLink Information on setting up and running Local Exchange Trading Systems or Schemes - trading locally without money (using 'complementary currencies').
  
  
• Social Firms Run by Edinburgh Community Trust.
  
  
• Social Economy Legal a blog (started April 2010) from a trainee solicitor in Belfast. Note that there are some legal differences between Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK.
  
  
• Time Banking A variation on Lets (not to be confused with Time Bank, a volunteering set up). Also see Fair Shares.
  
  
• Co-opNet discussion forum.
  
  
• uk.coop is the online directory of co-operatives.
  
  
• For an international angle on Social Entrepreneurs, take a look at Ashoka or its online resource Changemakers.
  
  
• Institute for Social Entrepreneurs.