After our public event in 2021 showcasing two care co-operatives (recording at link), and a well attended strategy meeting in December 2021, Mutual Aid in Sussex has been focusing on helping setting up a care co-operative in Brighton & Hove.
A small group of us have been meeting regularly since the beginning of 2022 to try to set up a care co-operative in Brighton & Hove, because unlike in other parts of the UK, none exists here.
If you are interested in finding out more and/or getting involved please email mais@riseup.net
We also have a facebook group for the care co-operative – join it if you are interested in supporting, following and/or getting involved (actively or passively): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1278317259362911/
Some inspiration from our public event:
“Could we replace the current care system that relies on underpaid and overworked carers, with an alternative that’s built on worker and service-user democracy, fair pay and cooperation?
“Cooperatives in the care sector function similarly to other care agencies. The real difference is that the organisation is owned and managed by its members – in Shepshed’s case, the members are the care workers themselves. Shepshed has been going for over 27 years and has over 50 workers!
“In North West Care Cooperative, a newer organisation, there are three types of member – the carers, the service users and the parents of the service users. In both co-operatives, the members have a say in decision making, pay structures and how care is provided. You can change the organisation to work how you want it – you just have to decide on it together. There are already many examples of care cooperatives in the UK, and the number is growing…
“Could such a care co-operative exist in Brighton & Hove?”
As the third national lockdown is easing, it’s worth remembering how hard care professionals have been working. But the same workers that have been caring for us have been subject to huge amounts of stress and unfair treatment during this preventable national crisis. Sadly, this isn’t simply because of the pandemic. For decades, care work has been undermined and undervalued. And, unlike other forms of healthcare which we rightly expect to be provided by the NHS, care work has been increasingly turned into a exploitative and profit-making enterprise for businesses.
Members of co-ops and societies from across the city will be getting together to connect and learn from each other. It is a good opportunity to meet other like-minded people.
Sacajawea “Saki” Hall and Kali Akuno – two of the founders of this radical cooperative network – are coming to Brighton on Friday 24 May as part of a tour of the UK. They will talk about the Cooperation Jackson story and what they’ve learned along the way about transforming their community and building a local economy based on solidarity, not profit.
There will be organic olive oils, whole olives, sea salt and a selection of Portuguese wines from the Douro region, all brought to our shores by the power of wind.
Fairtransport via the French Isle of Noirmoutier to collect Fleur de Sel, all loaded aboard Sail Boat’s Jalapeno with amazing Xisto wines and sailed to Brighton and Newhaven for collection onboard or delivery to your door Zedify cycle couriers. Also available with your veg box from Barcombe Nurseries.
Running a co-operative, social enterprise or community group and looking for tips on raising your profile or getting more people involved?
The co-operative now has more than 150 women producing items sold across the Hebron district. The co-op is part of the Idna Cooperative Association for Embroidery and Handicrafts which has been able to open a small community centre in 
As part of 
Mutual Aid In Sussex (MAIS) 