GCDA
Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA), is a not for profit company, limited by guarantee and established in 1982 as a social enterprise support organisation serving the diverse communities of Greenwich and neighbouring boroughs. Our work focused on development and support for co-operative models of enterprise and self-help to meet the needs of local communities. Our membership and management is open to all beneficiaries.
GCDA has successfully developed a wide range of activities to help promote local action.
Activities include:
-
Providing governance and business planning support
-
Developing beneficiaries’ skills
-
Developing networks and strategic partnerships
-
Providing representation for local people
GCDA has been central to the development of unique social enterprises through community work, training and support.
-
Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) - when the London Borough of Greenwich (LBG) were considering some leisure centre closures this model allowed the service to remain and it has now grown into a £60m organisation delivering leisure services for 12 local authorities in the London area.
-
Timeline Credit Union – a saving and lending co-operative, which now has over 3,000 members and assets of more than £2m.
-
Greenwich Community Food Co-op (GCFC) - continues to expand and it now has more than 30 fresh fruit and vegetable stalls and delivery points.
Health
Since 2002 GCDA has been working closely with NHS Greenwich in delivering health promotion programmes, co-ordinating the Healthy Greenwich Network including food co-ops, growing projects, MEND, support to community catering projects; lunch clubs, breakfast clubs, and community cafes, and community engagement through community audits, consultations, and establishing new community trusts and voluntary organisations.
New Approach
In our 2009 strategic review we re-considered the core aims of GCDA, our delivery programme continues to support social enterprise solutions but also more programmes working with public and private sector partners in the delivery of projects that address health and economic inequality and provide widespread public services for example school meals, public sector catering training and business start-up.
Business Incubation – SEten
Moving into new premises in 2009 gave us the opportunity to accommodate and incubate new businesses including our own. Please visit our SEten pages for more information about our businesses and our facilities. (link to SEten pages)
