CCIN Members’ Update – April 2022

• 1st Apr 2022

Welcome to the April edition of Update

Last month we had a National Day of Reflection on the second anniversary of the first Lockdown. Our prayers and thanks go to those working in the NHS, nursing homes and workers in caring professions who worked tirelessly to protect and preserve life. Over 185,000 loved ones were lost – family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. 

Now the restrictions have eased, we see the number of people testing positive rise.  We must remain vigilant to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable in our communities.

These freedoms have been hard-won, and we should continue to look out for one another, never forgetting those lost and the sacrifices we all made.

Many of the funded project ideas this year will build on the new ways of working that have been developed over the last two years:

• Covid19 Recovery
• Sharing Data with 3rd Sector Organisations
• Tackling Inequality
• Engaging Communities in Local Democracy
• Co-operative Approaches to Levelling Up

Do get involved! Apply here.
 
This month we feature two CCIN funded projects. The first was a Policy Lab led by Birmingham City Council and Affiliate Member Co-operative Futures; it looks at how Community Economic Development Plans can engage local people in decision making that benefits the local economy. The second project was a Policy Prototype led by Woughton Community Council, which is working to find a simple, technology-driven solution to assess the social return on the services it commissions.  We also showcase four fabulous videos from our members in Burntwood Town Council, North Herts District Council, Stevenage Borough Council and Sunderland City Council highlighting the benefits of working with communities to develop cooperative neighbourhoods.  Please take the time to watch these.

For those of you looking out for the call for applications for the Coop of the Year Awards – we’ve been advised by Co-operatives UK that this event will take place in November.  We’ll let you know when the details are announced.
 
This month, we welcome four new members: Worthing Labour Group, Anthony Collins Solicitors, Community Broadband Network Limited, and Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency.
 
Finally, congratulations to all those members shortlisted in this year’s LGC Awards, particularly Cllr Darren Rodwell and the team at Barking and Dagenham. They have been shortlisted in six categories! Good luck to everyone involved.
 
I hope that you enjoy this Member Update.
  
Stay safe.

Sharon