Co-operatives UK has welcomed Community Leisure UK as its latest federal member.
The two apex bodies aim to ensure that member-owned organisations within the leisure and culture sector are represented and can benefit from stronger links to the wider co-op sector.
Community Leisure UK is the national association of leisure and cultural trusts, with 112 members running services across the UK, including leisure centres, libraries, parks, museums, libraries and galleries.
Formerly known as Sporta, the organisation announced its name change at its national conference in Birmingham on 20 November. The name change forms part of a campaign to improve the nation’s health through our public leisure and culture services and facilities.
Head of membership at Co-operatives UK, John Atherton, said: “In today’s uncertain times it’s more important than ever to co-operate, and we’re delighted to welcome Community Leisure UK on board. They join a number of other trade associations who make up our federal membership, adding thousands of voices to the national and international co-operative movement.
“We’re already supporting many leisure and cultural organisations, including helping communities save and run local assets such as piers, lidos and cinemas through community share offers. This partnership allows us to connect existing and new members for a stronger and more resilient sector, and for us all to benefit from valuable economies of scale.”
Joining Co-operatives UK will enable members of Community Leisure UK to receive discounts on training, meeting room hire, events and professional advice, and be able to contribute to public campaigns to influence decision makers to secure better outcomes for co-operatives and member-owned businesses.
Cate Atwater, chief executive of Community Leisure UK, said: “This partnership with Co-operatives UK will directly support our co-operative members who deliver vital public services across the nation. This year we have received shoulder-to-shoulder support from Co-operatives UK to try and safeguard the genuine trust model in public services; so, our federal membership will build from here and we very much look forward to our formal partnership.”
