A co-operative is a group of people working together as a business. They are owned and run by their members and are based on values of democracy, self-help, social responsibility and caring for the community.

Social enterprises are businesses that trade in the market to deliver their social aims. They are viable businesses, with defined social aims, which are owned and run by members of a community for the benefit of that community.

Co-operative Futures

Co-operative Futures is a policy and development organisation supporting the co-operative, mutual and social enterprise sector across Swindon and Wiltshire (as well as Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire).

It is an invaluable source of help and advice for existing co-operatives and for those contemplating creating a new one.

See the Co-operative Futures website (www.co-operativefutures.coop) for more details.

Phoenix Enterprises

Phoenix Enterprises is a social enterprise - a business with both social and commercial aims. We  work with people recovering from mental health problems in a supportive work environment. Our services include mailings, mail order fulfilment and returns, mail-sorting, hand inserting and document collation.

For more information, see the Phoenix Enterprises website (www.phoenixenterprises.co.uk)