April 2024

Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) has launched new episodes of its Reset and Rebuild podcast highlighting the benefits of inclusive business models.

Hosted by Co-operative Development Scotland team leader, Darah Zahran, and featuring experts from Greencity Wholefoods, Co-operate Scotland LLP, Worker Co-op Federation, us and ground-breaking new booking co-operative Kooble, the podcasts have been produced to support CDS’ wider campaign to showcase the role inclusive business models, such as employee ownership and co-operatives, can play in creating a fairer, stronger and more democratic economy. The series showcases success stories from the sector and providing practical information to those considering one of these models.

This series of podcasts sets out to energise businesses, communities, policy makers and the wider eco system in Scotland to consider inclusive business models and encourage them to connect with CDS to access support.

The Reset and Rebuild Podcast series is now available to listen/ download on the Co-operative Development Scotland blog site: https://bit.ly/49eUMag

Our own Business Development manager Tim Coomer features in Episode 16, which explores understanding and accessing finance as a key challenge for new and growing coops. Listen here

Today, the 7th of April, is World Health Day. The theme for World Health Day 2024 is ‘My health, my right’. To mark this day, we’re profiling a co-operative that is working towards more accessible healthcare.

Signalise is a platform co-operative run by its members to provide interpreting services for people who need to book BSL interpreters and other communication professionals in Liverpool and Merseyside.

They aim to have membership from the three user groups involved in Deaf people’s access to health care – Deaf people; other interested parties such as healthcare providers and commissioners who need to purchase services and have a statutory duty to care for Deaf service users, and the communication professionals who facilitate communication between Deaf people and health staff.

A few years ago, when starting up, Signalise were keen to find out what all three user groups thought about interpreting services for Deaf people. They undertook a survey of users across the five boroughs of Merseyside; Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley & St Helens. You can read the report Signing the right path here.

Did you know it costs the NHS £30 million per year in the poor diagnosis and ineffective treatment of Deaf people? The current system doesn’t work and leaves Deaf people without any choice or control. Interpreters have boycotted agencies who demonstrate a lack of knowledge and respect of the Deaf community and interpreting. Agencies have gone into liquidation as a result of traditional working practices that cannot meet demand led services. This is why the work that Signalise does is so important.

Find out more about Signalise here.

 

UPDATE 23rd April. Signalise are in the running for the Tech Nation People’s Choice Award and they need your support to help them! Like, comment on and share their pitch on Instagram – the pitch that creates the most social media buzz will win, and the winner gets to speak at London Tech Week which would be huge for platform co-op Signalise. Thanks in advance!