Ealing Community Co-op

Our feasibility study, funded by the Government Office for London, has shown the `hidden economic impact` of local groups. The study showed we spend an estimated £6.6m between us every year on goods and services. The following table gives examples of the annual Ealing spend by voluntary and community groups on a variety of goods and services:

But most of our decisions on spending are made in an informal way.

Ealing CVS is using the feasibility study to set up an Ealing Community Co-op. This will offer groups a number of benefits such as:

• Information and Advice: advising groups on local `good buys` and helping local groups access national discount schemes
• Purchasing Network: setting up joint purchasing arrangements or `preferred supplier` schemes
• New Community Services: establishing new community services, such as a community audit service
• Community Services Network: running information workshops on better purchasing or green purchasing
• Community Resource Bank:using the ECVS website to promote recycling of equipment (such as PCs, office equipment, or office furniture) to voluntary groups by businesses or statutory authorities

Some information is already available (see the Smart Suppliers and Smart Schemes sections). We will be seeking funding to develop this and set up a Co-op membership scheme

If you would like to read the Co-op Feasibility Study and research it is available under the Key Documents section.

To register your interest in the Co-op and receive further updates and invitations to future workshops please click here