Revitalising Britain's Social Clubs
Protecting the cultural legacy and assets of social clubs and putting them back at the heart of communities across Britain.
Protecting the cultural legacy and assets of social clubs and putting them back at the heart of communities across Britain.
Why they matter
Why they matter
Why they matter
Over the last 18 months, the Centre for Democratic Business has been engaging a range of national organisations and individuals who are concerned about, or part of, revitalising the future of Britain’s social clubs.
Over the last 18 months, the Centre for Democratic Business has been engaging a range of national organisations and individuals who are concerned about, or part of, revitalising the future of Britain’s social clubs.
Over the last 18 months, the Centre for Democratic Business has been engaging a range of national organisations and individuals who are concerned about, or part of, revitalising the future of Britain’s social clubs.
Despite the fact they represent more than a century of community wealth, saving these local institutions and assets isn’t just about nostalgia, it's about protecting and enhancing democratic infrastructure that can serve communities for generations to come.
Despite the fact they represent more than a century of community wealth, saving these local institutions and assets isn’t just about nostalgia, it's about protecting and enhancing democratic infrastructure that can serve communities for generations to come.
Despite the fact they represent more than a century of community wealth, saving these local institutions and assets isn’t just about nostalgia, it's about protecting and enhancing democratic infrastructure that can serve communities for generations to come.
While we know that social clubs – of all kinds – make a difference to the lives of communities all over Britain, they are a strange omission from government and third sector support, and despite being the largest cohort of co-operatives in our economy, have been equally overlooked by our own sector.
While we know that social clubs – of all kinds – make a difference to the lives of communities all over Britain, they are a strange omission from government and third sector support, and despite being the largest cohort of co-operatives in our economy, have been equally overlooked by our own sector.
While we know that social clubs – of all kinds – make a difference to the lives of communities all over Britain, they are a strange omission from government and third sector support, and despite being the largest cohort of co-operatives in our economy, have been equally overlooked by our own sector.
Our work so far
Our work so far
Our work so far
Britain's social clubs stand at a critical crossroads and our initiatives combine rigorous research, practical support, and bold advocacy to breathe new life into these vital institutions. This isn't merely about saving buildings; it's about rebuilding the connective tissue of our communities and strengthening our democratic foundations at a time when we've never needed them more. So far, the Centre for Democratic Business has:
Britain's social clubs stand at a critical crossroads and our initiatives combine rigorous research, practical support, and bold advocacy to breathe new life into these vital institutions. This isn't merely about saving buildings; it's about rebuilding the connective tissue of our communities and strengthening our democratic foundations at a time when we've never needed them more. So far, the Centre for Democratic Business has:
Britain's social clubs stand at a critical crossroads and our initiatives combine rigorous research, practical support, and bold advocacy to breathe new life into these vital institutions. This isn't merely about saving buildings; it's about rebuilding the connective tissue of our communities and strengthening our democratic foundations at a time when we've never needed them more. So far, the Centre for Democratic Business has:
Research and knowledge development
Research and knowledge development
Research and knowledge development
Published an article – More than a century of community wealth: the history & future of Britain’s social clubs – to explore the historical origins and social history of Britain’s social clubs
Published an article – More than a century of community wealth: the history & future of Britain’s social clubs – to explore the historical origins and social history of Britain’s social clubs
Published an article – More than a century of community wealth: the history & future of Britain’s social clubs – to explore the historical origins and social history of Britain’s social clubs
Launched and published findings from our national survey of social clubs to identify the challenges and opportunities for the sector.
Launched and published findings from our national survey of social clubs to identify the challenges and opportunities for the sector.
Launched and published findings from our national survey of social clubs to identify the challenges and opportunities for the sector.
Started a new piece of research in partnership with Power to Change on the connection between democratic infrastructure and political participation and public trust.
Started a new piece of research in partnership with Power to Change on the connection between democratic infrastructure and political participation and public trust.
Started a new piece of research in partnership with Power to Change on the connection between democratic infrastructure and political participation and public trust.
Organising and coordination
Organising and coordination
Organising and coordination
Created a working group of development and heritage bodies that meets on a monthly basis.
Created a working group of development and heritage bodies that meets on a monthly basis.
Created a working group of development and heritage bodies that meets on a monthly basis.
Announced and opening booking for a one-day conference in London on 11th September – Stronger Local Places: Rebuilding the Club Movement – where club members, policymakers, charities, and funders will explore how existing and new social clubs can address today’s pressing social and economic challenges, and how we can work together to put them back at the heart of our civil society.
Announced and opening booking for a one-day conference in London on 11th September – Stronger Local Places: Rebuilding the Club Movement – where club members, policymakers, charities, and funders will explore how existing and new social clubs can address today’s pressing social and economic challenges, and how we can work together to put them back at the heart of our civil society.
Announced and opening booking for a one-day conference in London on 11th September – Stronger Local Places: Rebuilding the Club Movement – where club members, policymakers, charities, and funders will explore how existing and new social clubs can address today’s pressing social and economic challenges, and how we can work together to put them back at the heart of our civil society.
This event is supported by Local Trust, Wrigleys Solicitors, Rayne Foundation, and Architectural Heritage Fund
This event is supported by Local Trust, Wrigleys Solicitors, Rayne Foundation, and Architectural Heritage Fund
This event is supported by Local Trust, Wrigleys Solicitors, Rayne Foundation, and Architectural Heritage Fund
Practical support and resources
Practical support and resources
Practical support and resources
Started planning a legal and campaign guide to support local members to save their clubs from closure or sale, in partnership with Wrigleys Solicitors and the Community Shares Company.
Started planning a legal and campaign guide to support local members to save their clubs from closure or sale, in partnership with Wrigleys Solicitors and the Community Shares Company.
Started planning a legal and campaign guide to support local members to save their clubs from closure or sale, in partnership with Wrigleys Solicitors and the Community Shares Company.
Exploring the potential for a targeted communication campaign to increase awareness, improve engagement, and encourage applications from social clubs to business support providers.
Exploring the potential for a targeted communication campaign to increase awareness, improve engagement, and encourage applications from social clubs to business support providers.
Exploring the potential for a targeted communication campaign to increase awareness, improve engagement, and encourage applications from social clubs to business support providers.
Policy development and advocacy
Policy development and advocacy
Policy development and advocacy
Working with the Co-operative Party and MP Kirsty McNeill on engaging social clubs to create a '21st Century Clubs Charter’, with the aim of being part of a wider call for better government policy and third sector support for this vital but overlooked sector.
Working with the Co-operative Party and MP Kirsty McNeill on engaging social clubs to create a '21st Century Clubs Charter’, with the aim of being part of a wider call for better government policy and third sector support for this vital but overlooked sector.
Working with the Co-operative Party and MP Kirsty McNeill on engaging social clubs to create a '21st Century Clubs Charter’, with the aim of being part of a wider call for better government policy and third sector support for this vital but overlooked sector.
Working with us
Working with us
Working with us
If you're a journalist interested in covering this growing movement or would like to explore the stories behind our work, we welcome your questions and interview requests. Please reach out below or via email.
If you're a journalist interested in covering this growing movement or would like to explore the stories behind our work, we welcome your questions and interview requests. Please reach out below or via email.
If you're a journalist interested in covering this growing movement or would like to explore the stories behind our work, we welcome your questions and interview requests. Please reach out below or via email.
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio
You can subscribe to our newsletter here
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio
You can subscribe to our newsletter here
The CfDB is a project of Stir to Action Ltd, a worker co-operative registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Company number 07951013
Our team is based in Dorset, London, and Manchester
Designed and built by Stir to Action Studio