New co-operatives registered recently
C3 launch at Co-op Forum event
The promise of becoming more Competitive, Confident and Credible by making use of advisor support, diagnostic tools and improvement resources was attractive to a number of co-ops, who also enjoyed the opportunity of networking with others and the excellent buffet provided by Café Mono.
One attendee said: This event was well prepared and very relevant to our co-op. We really appreciated getting objective advice from an experienced and knowledgeable person. Others talked about being delighted by the networking opportunities at the event.
For further information about the C3 partnership contact Katy Harkavy at Avon CDA, The Coach House, 2 Upper York Street, Bristol BS2 8QN; tel: 0117 989 2536; e-mail: communications@avoncda.coop or visit the C3 website at www.c3partnership.org
The projects four cafes at Redfield, Southmead, St Pauls and Lawrence Weston help meet the need most often identified by people with learning difficulties - meaningful training and paid work. Jigsaw currently employs 18 people of all ages.
Councillor Peter Abraham, the Lord Mayor of Bristol, led the celebrations and the singing of "Happy Birthday, dear Jigsaw". He also complimented Jigsaw worker Chris Kunya for the good way in which he spoke about Jigsaw and introduced all the speakers.
Jigsaw is a partnership; Avon CDA worked with Social Services and Health, City of Bristol College and Jigsaws own employees to establish and develop the project. Social Services Service Manager Gill Scott acknowledged this and the important part a range of people had played. Many of these attended the birthday party and included: Karen Arnold, team manager; Keith Bates, CDA; Sheren McCann, Catering and Contracts Officer and Pat Bevan, from the College. Gill also played tribute to the role of ex-social services colleagues Dorothy Newman Anderson and Bill McKitterick.
Councillor John Kiely, Executive Member for Housing and Adult Social Services, attended the birthday party and said: "The project is raising awareness and demonstrating that people with a learning difficulty are competent and reliable workers. Jigsaw provides powerful role models for other people with learning difficulties who may be plucking up the courage to take a step towards new challenges. The additional benefit that the scheme provides is masses of confidence. Our Jigsaw workers shine with confidence and its really heartening to see."
For information about future delivery of training programmes, please contact the CDA.
Dedicated Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Co-operative development
project draws to a close. The project, entitled "Providing targeted
business development support to Black and Minority Ethnic communities and
also to the Creative Industries sector" saw Avon CDA
a project that build on co-operative development work that has been available
in Bristol for over 20 years. The project worker, David John, worked across
wards covered by SRB
and ERDF funding
with a focus on the wards of Ashley, Easton and Lawrence Hill which have
the highest BME populations
and also the highest unemployment figures. The project was supported by
Single Regeneration Budget, through Bristol Regeneration Partnership, and
Bristol Means Business Consortium.
The BME Co-operative
development workers key aims were to:
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