About

SWCD is a development agency that supports the formation and growth of co-operatives, social enterprises and community businesses – focusing on the South West of England. We are passionate about making positive change in the social economy and for the environment and offer a variety of services to individuals and groups who feel the same. We have helped both individuals and groups to gain assets, finance and sustainable trade; as well as initiated new projects to address the needs and concerns in the community.

We offer a number of services to enterprises including consultancy, office support, raising finance and registering new societies.

We’re part of a wider network of Co-operative development Bodies (CDBs) around the UK, supported by Co-operatives UK.

Our mission

SWCD’s mission is to promote the application of international co-operative principles; to help establish new social enterprises and support existing ones, by building financial, environmental and social sustainability.

We practice and promote equal opportunities, and aim to include and empower the vulnerable and disadvantaged. We help our clients succeed by involving multiple stakeholder groups, enhancing the security, capacity and well-being of participants and bringing assets into common ownership. We do this whilst ensuring that SWCD cares for all of its workers and enables the development of careers in co-operative development.

Membership

We are a co-operative of service users. If you are a client of ours or a co-operative based in the South West, you are welcome to join us as a member. We have members from many different sectors. Click ‘Members’ below to find out who supports SWCD and join as a local member.

Could you help us?

We have a share offer open now for social investors who would like to support our work and receive interest and tax reliefs on their investment. If you think that might be for you, please read our share offer document and our business plan using the buttons below. To proceed with an investment, please follow the link in the share offer document to our interactive form.

South West Co-operative Development Limited
Registered as a Multistakeholder Community Benefit Society: 31193R
Registered office address: 10 East Reach, Taunton TA1 3EW
Office phone: 0300 456 2265
Email: development@southwest.coop