The Hive is a support programme for co-ops. It’s for any group wanting to start a co‑operative or existing co‑ops looking to strengthen or grow. Support includes :

• online resources and guides which talk you through what a co-operative is and whether it is right for you
• apply to attend workshops, bespoke advice or for a mentor
• the legal process of setting up a co-op
• how to convert a non co-operative business into one that is.

Some areas of the country still have co-operative development agencies that provide local support to the co-operative and social enterprise sector. These include places like Greenwich, Leicester, Tower Hamlets, Southampton and Lincolnshire amongst others.  In Wales, there is the Wales Co-operative Centre which provides support.

The foundation provides support to rural communities to set up co-operatives. It has specific resources for community pubs and shops and has government funding support for co-op pubs.

The Co-operative Council Innovation Network offers its members access to a consultancy framework to bring in resources and expert advice to help local authorities with co-operative development.

The movement can offer loans to help your Co-op start or grow. The Co-op Loan Fund has a unique understanding of co-operatives, can offer unsecured loans with no personal guarantees, no set lending terms (flexible between 1-20 years), loans between £10,000 and £85,000, interest charged on reducing balance and they offer ongoing support throughout the term of the loan.