Working in partnership with Co-operativesUK, Co-operatives South East is a co-operative organisation in its own right. Membership is open to any co-operative operating in the region, which is also a member of Co-operatives UK or one of its federal members, in sectors such as housing, credit unions or agriculture.

The key aims of Co-operativesSE are to:

1. represent and promote co-operative values and principles
2. raise the profile of the co-operative sector in the region
3. represent the co-operative sector within regional forums and regional media
4. develop services to members that will assist them to develop as co-operatives, sustainable enterprises and contributors to the well-being of communities in the region
5. involve members and potential members in the wider co-operative Movement and in particular in active membership of Co-operativesUK
6. build partnerships, structures and arrangements with organisations who have similar objectives.

As part of the wider social enterprise or third sector, Co-operativesSE is directly engaged in working with partners in the region for mutual benefit. It is a founder member of the South East Social Enterprise Steering Group. The Regional Framework for Social Enterprise - "It's Business but not as we know it" reflects the contribution we have made to this group and its work.

Co-operativesSE has also been involved either itself or through South East Co-operative Support (SECS), an independent organisation bringing together specialist support organisations across the region, in a number of specific programmes.

A Board of Directors is elected from Co-operatives South East’s wider membership. New Board members are elected at the Annual General Meeting. For further information, please contact our Business and Communications Manager.