6 If so, where did you go for information and support and did you receive appropriate advice?
We received appropriate advice from:
· Two international co-op experts Jean-Pierre Girard from Quebec and John Restakis, Executive Director of the British Columbia Co-operative Association
· A social co-operative workshop organised by the Welsh Progressive Co-operators at the Co-ops United Expo event in October 2012
· Laurie Gregory, chair of the Foster Care Co-operative, and Mick Taylor of Mutual Advantage have been assiduous in their support from 2009, and other UK colleagues
· The Leader, Cabinet members and elected members of Newport City Council and the Director of Social Services and commissioning staff
· The Health and Social and Wellbeing Facilitator, Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (Newport)
We are awaiting a response from:
· Last week an application was made to the Co-operative Groups Enterprise Hub for specialist consultancy
· Two well-established employee-owned companies in this field: Stewartry Care (http://www.stewartrycare.co.uk/) and Highland Home Carers (http://highland-home-carers.co.uk/). Co-op & Community Finance are a lender to the latter
We also received a kind offer of assistance from the Wales Co-op Centre and informal liaison takes place.
At this stage, traditional ‘business’ advice is not required, but rather help in understanding the ‘enterprise model’, human organisation, leadership development and member Co-operative education to provide the knowledge and skills that will empower the members to deliver upon their purpose.