Co-operative Development Services
South West Co-operative Development Limited, known as SWCD, is a development agency that supports the formation and growth of co-operatives, social enterprises and community businesses. We are passionate about making positive change
in the social economy and offer a variety of services to individuals and groups who feel the same. We have helped both individuals and groups to gain assets, finance and sustainable trade; as well as initiating new projects to address
the needs and concerns in the community.
If you are looking for help with writing business plans, converting to a co-operative, setting up and registering a society, going through a period of change, or getting the money to start your organisation, please follow the links
below to see the different kinds of support we offer.
Start Up Support
SWCD can guide new start up businesses through the processes of registering a legal organisation, creating business plans, deciding which financing options are right for you,and anything else needed to start your business.
Converting to a Co-operative
SWCD can support you through the legal and cultural changes needed to convert your business into a co-operative. We can also work with groups looking to do employee buy outs and help you to put together the financial cases needed.
Support for Existing Businesses
We understand that all businesses have hard times, especially recently with large industry and economic changes. We can help with updating business plans, re-doing feasibility studies and marketing work, and help to re-engage communities.
Registrations
SWCD provide a complete registration service for a wide range of legal structures.
We can help make sense of the different legal structures and help you identify the most suitable structure to enable your enterprise to flourish.
We can help you to tailor model rules to suit your needs, both from our own set of model rules or any of the other ones out there.
Raising Finance
Businesses need funding at different phases of their lifetime. SWCD can help in a number of ways: advising on financial models; raising social investment and Community Shares, and support with grant funding. We can also help you write the business plans that will demonstrate your case to potential investors.
South West Co-operative Development Limited
Registered as a Community Benefit Society: 31193R
Registered office address:
10 East Reach,
Taunton
TA1 3EW
Office phone: 0300 456 2265
Email: development@southwest.coop
