CSS offer a range of services designed to meet the needs of co-operatives at all stages of development from formation to future development.

Assisting individuals to form co-operatives.

CSS will work with prospective co-operatives to help set up business and to start trading. We will guide them through the process of preparing a viable business plan and addressing any issues along the way. We will give advice and assistance on how to source funding. It will also provide them with all necessary guidance on setting themselves up as a co-operative.

CSS encourages each co-operative to consider the existing skills of members in deciding what type of business to set-up. This not only maximises the chances of success but also means that the lead time for setting up in business is minimised. This service will not only establish the credentials of CSS as a reliable and quality service provider but it will also secure the success of CSS into the future.

Consultancy and advice

CSS provides consultancy and advice to co-operatives, particularly during the first year of operation. Again, the success of CSS is dependent on the success of each co-operative so it is in the interest of CSS to continue to provide guidance as necessary.

Monitoring and evaluating performance

CSS monitors the financial performance of each co-operative using three-year plans and targets. Again, there will be a particular focus on results in the first year of operation. Over time, data from successful co-operatives can be used as benchmarks for guiding new businesses successfully through their first year of operation.

In time, when the number of businesses in particular sectors e.g. childcare, taxis reaches a critical mass, summary sectoral data will be produced and distributed to each business along with its own data. General indicators of performance for each sector will be developed and will be used to alert individual co-operatives if they are diverging from the norms of successful groups and if corrective action is needed.

Education and Training

Training requirements varies, depending on the existing skills and abilities of the members of each co-operative and their knowledge of their target business. In every case, CSS provides training on the core skills of drafting a business plan, project management and preparing budgets. CSS will develop a wider range of training programmes based on demand from members.

Publications

CSS plans to develop a range of publications and guides for members and wider audiences covering the co-operative business model, general business start-up, issues to be considered in specific business sectors and research data from its members.

Research

This is the most basic and essential activity and it is the first step of the project. It determines each and every step of the project, provides useful resources, information and the basis for needs assessments for the project. This is an activity that will be required through out the project to locate interested members of the target group, information about the available resources within the ethnic minority communities and nationally, and also to provide the groups with factual information.

Meetings and Forums

This is a very important activity and it is the major activity that will be utilized to facilitate and implement the project plan. Series of meetings will be held from the start of the project to the establishment of a cooperative. It is very vital for these meetings to take place because it is through them that people can convene and discuss the requirements necessary to establish a cooperative enterprise.