Community Shares Policy Seminar - Thursday 7 July, London 

Nearly 120 practitioners attended the Community Shares policy seminar on Thursday 7 July at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London.  Jim Brown, Baker Brown Associates and lead consultant for the Community Shares programme demonstrated the current growth in the number of community shares and the potential future growth and emphasised the importance of meeting best practice guidelines. 

Andy Walsh, General Manager, FC United of Manchester explained the journey towards building a new stadium for the club and demonstrated the club's commitment to communtiy engagement.  Angela Davis, Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust demonstrated how to galvanise community support even at the most desperate hour when the Pier was on fire.

Ed Mayo, General Secretary, Co-operatives UK was delighted to talk about the "Share Economy" as part of the Co-operatives Fortnight national campaign www.uk.coop/yourstoshare. 

Steve Wyler, Chief Executive of Locality (formerly the Development Trusts Association) chaired proceedings including a lively Q&A session.

The event culminated with the launch of  the Practitioners' Guide to Community Shares.  The 64 page document brings together the learning from the two year Community Shares action research programme

Speakers powerpoint presentations from the event can be downloaded here

If you would like to comment on the event or the new guide please visit the Community Shares discussion group (this will take you to an external site)