Coops.uk articleshttps://coops.uk/blogPractical guidance for starting and running co-operatives.en-gbA co-op’s first steps in a cyber incidenthttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-cyber-incident-first-stepshttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-cyber-incident-first-stepsCoordinate the first hour: trusted communication, careful containment, preserved evidence and timely assessment of personal-data risks.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTA digital handover your next committee can usehttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-digital-handoverhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-digital-handoverDiscover inherited accounts, record renewals and prove that the next person can run essential systems before the handover ends.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTA practical AI use policy for your co-ophttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-ai-use-policyhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-ai-use-policyAn example policy for approved tools, confidential data, human review and shared decisions about AI use.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTA practical cybersecurity checklist for a small co-ophttps://coops.uk/blog/small-co-op-cybersecurity-checklisthttps://coops.uk/blog/small-co-op-cybersecurity-checklistPrioritise account control, updates, payment checks and tested recovery with a review your committee can act on.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBackups your co-op can actually restorehttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-backups-and-restore-testshttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-backups-and-restore-testsIdentify essential data, choose useful recovery points and rehearse a restore before a lost file becomes a crisis.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBuild a member welcome pack people will actually usehttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-member-welcome-packhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-member-welcome-packA practical welcome-pack outline covering participation, decisions, everyday work and where new co-op members can get help.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBuild a realistic co-op technology budgethttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-technology-budgethttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-technology-budgetAnnualise subscriptions and allow for setup, support, renewals, people’s time and recovery with a practical sample worksheet.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBuild a yearly calendar for your co-op’s responsibilitieshttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-yearly-governance-calendarhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-yearly-governance-calendarBring meetings, reporting, renewals and handovers into one useful calendar, with clear owners and reminders before deadlines.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTCo-op meetings: an agenda and decision log to adapthttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-meeting-agenda-and-decision-loghttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-meeting-agenda-and-decision-logMake meetings easier to prepare for and decisions easier to follow, with a practical agenda, decision record and action log.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTCo-op newsletters, member messages and consenthttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-newsletters-and-consenthttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-newsletters-and-consentSeparate necessary member administration from marketing, record the right permissions and test unsubscribing before you send.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTDoes your co-op need a member portal?https://coops.uk/blog/does-your-co-op-need-a-member-portalhttps://coops.uk/blog/does-your-co-op-need-a-member-portalTest the operational need before building another login, and plan permissions, support and export if a portal is justified.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTFinding the right support for your co-ophttps://coops.uk/blog/finding-co-operative-supporthttps://coops.uk/blog/finding-co-operative-supportKnow when you need a co-op developer, sector network, accountant or technical provider—and prepare a useful first enquiry.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTGoogle, Microsoft or Nextcloud for your co-op?https://coops.uk/blog/google-microsoft-nextcloud-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/google-microsoft-nextcloud-for-co-opsCompare real work, existing files, support and exit costs before choosing your co-op’s collaboration platform.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow to buy from co-ops without making procurement harderhttps://coops.uk/blog/buying-from-co-operativeshttps://coops.uk/blog/buying-from-co-operativesFind member-owned suppliers, ask useful questions and start with a manageable purchase that fits your organisation’s needs.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTHybrid co-op meetings and formal votinghttps://coops.uk/blog/hybrid-co-op-meetings-and-votinghttps://coops.uk/blog/hybrid-co-op-meetings-and-votingPlan participation, accessibility and a technical rehearsal, while checking your own rules for quorum and valid ballots.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTManage member data with clear purpose and accesshttps://coops.uk/blog/managing-co-op-member-datahttps://coops.uk/blog/managing-co-op-member-dataChoose necessary fields, identify who can use them and set retention decisions that reflect your co-op’s actual obligations.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMember onboarding and offboarding without access gapshttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-member-onboarding-offboardinghttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-member-onboarding-offboardingA practical sequence for approving access, transferring records and removing accounts when people join, leave or change roles.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTPassword managers for shared responsibilityhttps://coops.uk/blog/password-managers-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/password-managers-for-co-opsSet up named users, sensible vault permissions and recovery arrangements so essential credentials survive a change of role.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTPractical AI assistants for a co-ophttps://coops.uk/blog/ai-assistants-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/ai-assistants-for-co-opsChoose bounded tasks, restrict connected access and test whether an assistant saves useful time after human checking.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTProtect your co-op from phishing and payment fraudhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-phishing-and-payment-fraudhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-phishing-and-payment-fraudA practical verification process for changed bank details, suspicious messages and quick reporting without blame.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTSelf-hosted or managed tools for your co-op?https://coops.uk/blog/self-hosted-or-managed-tools-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/self-hosted-or-managed-tools-for-co-opsCompare practical control, support, security and recovery responsibilities before choosing how a service will be run.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTShared email that survives a change of committeehttps://coops.uk/blog/shared-email-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/shared-email-for-co-opsChoose named accounts, shared mailboxes and role addresses with clear responsibility for replies, records and departing members.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTShared files and permissions for a co-ophttps://coops.uk/blog/shared-files-and-permissions-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/shared-files-and-permissions-for-co-opsCreate a clear home for approved records while separating member information, board papers and everyday working files.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTStrong sign-in and account recovery for co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/mfa-and-account-recovery-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/mfa-and-account-recovery-for-co-opsUse passkeys or MFA with recovery arrangements that work when a phone is lost or a committee role changes.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTWho controls your co-op’s domain name?https://coops.uk/blog/who-owns-your-co-op-domainhttps://coops.uk/blog/who-owns-your-co-op-domainCheck registration, renewal and recovery so your website and email do not depend on a former member’s personal account.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTWordPress maintenance your co-op can planhttps://coops.uk/blog/wordpress-maintenance-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/wordpress-maintenance-for-co-opsKeep a WordPress site useful with clear ownership, tested backups, deliberate updates and checks of the journeys that matter.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTWorkflow automation that a co-op can maintainhttps://coops.uk/blog/workflow-automation-for-co-opshttps://coops.uk/blog/workflow-automation-for-co-opsStart with one repeatable process, keep human approvals and design for duplicates, failures and changes of responsibility.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTWrite a useful brief for your co-op’s websitehttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-website-briefhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-website-briefDefine visitors, joining and buying journeys, accessible content and a maintainable handover before commissioning a website.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTYour co-op’s first 90 days of technologyhttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-tech-first-90-dayshttps://coops.uk/blog/co-op-tech-first-90-daysA staged setup plan for founding groups: shared ownership, essential tools, a manageable budget and a tested handover.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTYour first co-op founders’ meeting: a useful agendahttps://coops.uk/blog/first-co-op-founders-meetinghttps://coops.uk/blog/first-co-op-founders-meetingTurn an interesting idea into a shared next step, with a practical first-meeting agenda and a short founding-group record.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTYour first year as a worker co-op: a practical operating rhythmhttps://coops.uk/blog/first-year-worker-coophttps://coops.uk/blog/first-year-worker-coopPlan the first year around customers, cash, delegated responsibilities and member learning, with a monthly meeting outline to adapt.Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTChoosing a legal structure for a UK co-ophttps://coops.uk/blog/choose-coop-legal-structure-ukhttps://coops.uk/blog/choose-coop-legal-structure-ukSeparate membership model from legal form, compare society and company routes, and prepare a clear brief for a co-operative adviser.Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTFunding a new co-op: match the money to the planhttps://coops.uk/blog/funding-routes-for-new-coopshttps://coops.uk/blog/funding-routes-for-new-coopsCompare trading income, member capital, borrowing and grants, with an illustrative funding worksheet and cash-flow questions for founders.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhat is a worker co-operative?https://coops.uk/blog/what-is-a-worker-cooperativehttps://coops.uk/blog/what-is-a-worker-cooperativeUnderstand worker membership, democratic control and everyday management, with questions to ask before joining or starting a co-op.Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTPlanning community energy: a hypothetical worked examplehttps://coops.uk/blog/community-energy-coop-case-studyhttps://coops.uk/blog/community-energy-coop-case-studyFollow an explicitly hypothetical rooftop-energy proposal through purpose, site checks, governance and a practical go-or-pause decision.Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow to start a housing co-op in the UKhttps://coops.uk/blog/how-to-start-housing-coop-ukhttps://coops.uk/blog/how-to-start-housing-coop-ukBuild a shared housing brief, test property and running costs, and prepare useful questions for specialist co-operative housing support.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTLife as a housing co-op member: questions to askhttps://coops.uk/blog/housing-coop-member-lifehttps://coops.uk/blog/housing-coop-member-lifeUnderstand everyday membership, repairs, meetings and shared responsibilities, with practical questions for visiting a housing co-op.Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTA short history of the UK co-operative movementhttps://coops.uk/blog/history-uk-cooperative-movementhttps://coops.uk/blog/history-uk-cooperative-movementExplore the ideas behind co-operation, from early shared provision to Rochdale and international principles, and their relevance today.Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTConverting a business to a worker co-op: a decision guidehttps://coops.uk/blog/convert-business-to-worker-coophttps://coops.uk/blog/convert-business-to-worker-coopPlan a possible worker buyout around employee interest, business viability, funding, professional advice and the transfer of real authority.Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTCo-ops and conventional businesses: what changes?https://coops.uk/blog/coops-vs-traditional-businesseshttps://coops.uk/blog/coops-vs-traditional-businessesCompare ownership, decisions, finance and accountability through an illustrative shop investment, without assuming one model fits every business.Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow to join a credit union: checks before you applyhttps://coops.uk/blog/how-to-join-credit-unionhttps://coops.uk/blog/how-to-join-credit-unionCheck membership eligibility, compare the product you need and understand protection, access and borrowing terms before joining a credit union.Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe Rochdale Pioneers: why the practical details matteredhttps://coops.uk/blog/rochdale-pioneers-birth-of-cooperationhttps://coops.uk/blog/rochdale-pioneers-birth-of-cooperationA source-led look at Rochdale’s influential co-operative shop, with a present-day exercise about trust, records and member participation.Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTCo-operative energy: ways to take part in the UKhttps://coops.uk/blog/cooperative-energy-options-ukhttps://coops.uk/blog/cooperative-energy-options-ukSeparate energy supply, community generation, volunteering and investment so you can choose an involvement that fits your aims and circumstances.Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhy worker ownership matters: voice, responsibility and trade-offshttps://coops.uk/blog/why-worker-ownership-mattershttps://coops.uk/blog/why-worker-ownership-mattersExplore what worker ownership can change, where it needs careful design and which questions employees should ask about real decision rights.Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT