Cascade Training South West REBOOT! Training for those passionate about the social economy

Effective, affordable training with social purpose

Cascade Training South West offers a range of affordable training courses, primarily for charities, community and voluntary organisations and social enterprises – as well as for the public and private sectors.

Courses are designed to strengthen management, leadership and other key attributes to enhance performance and confidence, and to build and develop important skills that you need every day within your work or voluntary roles. We also offer a wide range of financial, fundraising and other 'operational' learning opportunities.

All of Cascade's trainers are knowledgeable professionals who are highly regarded in their fields of expertise who lead very participative sessions in order to maximise practical application and shared learning. 

Courses from £99 - £199. Discounts are available for multi-bookings, and for membership of  Co-operatives UK, SCS CIC and organisations with the Social Enterprise Mark.

Find out more:

https://cascade.somerset.coop/

cascade@somerset.coop

0300 456 2265

Introducing our new and enlarged team

SCS CIC has substantially enlarged its worker team with no less than four new recruits. Alongside Alex and Caitlyn, who will continue to work on co-ordination and the retail and food areas respectively, we have:

From left: Alex (seated), Steve, Alice, Mo, Caitlyn, Lina

Mo Critchlow, playing a key role in Devon and developing our nationwide connections;
Lina Hernandez who is our spreadsheet maestro and will ensure all our clients have immaculate record keeping systems;
Steve Howell will be working mainly on housing and property development;
and Alice Ling, who will focus on energy co-ops, Cascade training and agriculture.
This is all made possible by the support of social investors in Somerset Development Workers Co-op.
We have a share offer open now, with 4.5% interest and Enterprise Investment Tax Relief worth 30%. It's a full risk investment for at least three years, but if that doesn't put you off then do please request an offer document by emailing development@somerset.coop.

Shipping containers at the Canalside: a co-operative opportunity for Bridgwater

The Container Home Pilot Project led by Robin Howell (and supported by The Glastonbury Trust and Sedgemoor DC among others) has reached a milestone; the first two finished units are ready to provide accommodation for farm workers.
We'd like to invite you to a breakfast event (pastries will be provided) at the Canalside Centre, Bridgwater to see these extraordinary re-purposed shipping containers while they are on display, and find out more about what could come next - a workers co-operative that produces them at scale for use on sites where conventional housing development would be impossible.
If you are interested in solutions to the housing crisis; in a career in a workers co-operative; in co-operative solutions for urban farming, land use and transportation; and in homes fit for a climate emergency; join us at 9.00am on the 22nd.
Download the flyer here, and show your interest on our Facebook Event page.

Job applications are now live!

Somerset Co-op Services is now recruiting - with a climate emergency, a co-operative renaissance and a public service crisis all unfolding there is both need and opportunity for what we do. We are aiming to build our team up to between four and six people (probably a mix of part time and full time) based primarily in Taunton but with scope for flexible working. It is office based and ranges from detailed orientated administration of computerised records to complex business planning and community organising roles.
We like to think that we are breaking new ground and reinventing the whole idea of the 'co-operative development worker' for the 21st century. It has something in common with small business advice and consultancy; something in common with accountancy and organisational analysis; and something in common with community development and regeneration. But essentially it is about building and strengthening a social movement.
You can go to our 'Jobs and Investment' page where you will find all the information - job descriptions for the different roles and an application form. Remember, the deadline is August 14th!

Happy Co-operatives Fortnight! Here's our newsletter - the first in a while - with news of a gathering of Somerset Co-ops on July 2nd, jobs in and around Taunton working for co-ops, why we should invest in co-op development, and the data on swimming between Tadcaster and Minehead.

SCS is hiring!

A new economy is taking shape – social, ethical, co-operative businesses are emerging in sectors from housing to energy, finance to agriculture and IT to transport. They are empowering workers, customers and communities; they are cutting carbon emissions and regenerating deprived neighbourhoods. But none of this happens by accident.

SCS is one of the UK’s leading co-operative development bodies, driving innovation in people powered business. We are expanding and we need skilled, dynamic and self-motivated workers to join our Taunton based team.

We are looking for co-operative development workers able to plan, organise and project manage enterprise start-ups; fundraisers able to seek resources from charities, statutory bodies and social investors; administrators able to use a wide range of software and interfaces to process data and maintain records; and part-qualified accountants  keen to build up their skills in the more-than-profit sector.

Salaries range from £25k - £34k FTE depending on skills and experience; part time workers (16 hrs pw – 36 hrs pw) are welcome, and flexible working, pension, family friendly employment and more are on offer.

Application deadline is July 20^th.