Community of Practice – supporting the development of community businesses and co-operatives

Whilst the world navigates uncertain times, community is more important than ever. At Power to Change (opens new window), our mission is to strengthen community businesses to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges at a local level, including the three biggest challenges of our time: climate change, digital transformation and social inequalities. 

An area which can particularly benefit from this community approach to business is that of home care. It is generally felt that the ‘time and task’ approach to the commissioning of care at home is something that needs updating.  Making changes to commissioning processes is always a big step, but the positive impact on people drawing on, and providing these services could be even greater.  Moving away from the ‘time and task’ system of commissioning to a more flexible approach would empower care providers together with the people using their services to create a more personalised approach. 

We believe there is great potential out there in the form of community businesses, care co-operatives, and commissioners. While we recognise this isn’t a fix-all solution to the complex issues of care at home during a cost-of-living crisis, it is essential to tap into this potential and ensure that commissioners and local authorities feel confident and prepared to support this change. 

Developing the potential of community businesses and care co-operatives could benefit the whole community; building stronger connections within the local area, creating or improving job opportunities, and of course providing greater choice for people drawing upon this care and support.  

A key part of such services is co-production, through which organisations learn from and work alongside people with lived experience in order to improve services. 

Along with Co-operatives UK (opens new window), Power to Change has commissioned a Community of Practice (CoP) for commissioners looking to work with co-ops and community businesses. The Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE) and Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) are facilitating this Community of Practice, bringing together nine councils to share ideas and experience - focusing on the development and support of community businesses and co-operatives. 

Between December 2021 and June 2022 the member councils of the CoP met on-line four times, sharing their ambitions and exploring what would be needed to support community businesses and co-operatives in their areas.  

The first report from the CoP shares the key learning so far. We hope this will serve as a building block for commissioners and organisations aiming to expand the care options available in their area, and that it will also provide motivation to those working within communities to consider co-producing with local people who draw on care and support.

To keep up-to-date with news of the CoP and other TLAP projects and events, sign up to the TLAP eNewsletter (opens new window).  

Keen to involve more commissioners in this shift towards community-based care and support, TLAP is hosting a knowledge sharing webinar for commissioners who want to learn more about working with co-ops and community businesses in their area.  

Innovation in Commissioning: Co-ops and Community Business will take place on Thursday 29th September 2022 from 12.30 -13.30. For more information, or to register visit the event page (opens new window).