A Devon-wide community support service is set to re-launch itself as a co-operative and hold a series of events to raise awareness and boost membership.
Exeter-based Hikmat Devon, which started in 2005, has now registered as a co-operative and will run awareness and training sessions with support from The Co-operative Enterprise Hub to further the range and reach of its support.
Originally, the service consisted of weekly drop-in sessions for older members of the Chinese and Muslim communities. It now engages approaching 100 users each week and tackles isolation, social exclusion and health issues amongst the county's black and minority ethnic communities.
Ella Huffman, the project administrator at Hikmat Devon, said: "Hikmat has always been a user-led organisation and so it made sense for us to convert to a co-operative.
"By attending our staff meetings, simplifying co-operative rules and regulations and delivering training and membership events, The Co-operative Enterprise Hub has helped us to become a co-operative and create a platform for our members to have a say in how the service is run.
"Users of the service benefit in many different ways, but mainly through increased social activity, improved access to relevant services, better health and wellbeing, enhanced confidence and, where English is a second language, it is often greatly improved - we now want to encourage as many users, staff, supporters and volunteers to become members of Hikmat Devon as possible and shape service delivery."
Lorna Turner, from business support service The Fruit Tree, delivered the advice, training and guidance on behalf of The Co-operative Enterprise Hub, and said: "The co-operative business model fundamentally gives people a voice, a say in how services are delivered.
"It is a robust approach to enterprise that can revitalise local communities and contribute to the re-building of a more balanced and sustainable economy – helping to address some of the unprecedented challenges currently facing society, environment and the economy."
For more information about the services of Hikmat Devon, visit www.hikmatdevon.co.uk call 01392 314753 or email saharaproject@googlemail.com
For further information about member-owned enterprises and the free advice, support and guidance available to set-up, run and grow sustainable co-operative enterprises, contact The Co-operative Enterprise Hub at www.co-operative.coop/enterprisehub
Content produced and controlled by The Co-operative.
