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UK Network info

About the UK Cohousing Network

The UK Cohousing Network is made up of people from established and forming cohousing groups in England & Wales. We set up as a network of volunteers following the Lancaster Cohousing Conference in February 2005.

We have been successful in obtaining a one year grant from the Cooperative Fund and Sarah Berger has been appointed as part time project manager..

To date the UK Cohousing Network has organised the Lancaster Cohousing Conference; lobbied government; met ministers; supported forming groups and developed and maintained the national website.

Current UK Cohousing Network Directors and Trustees:*

  • Sarah Berger, Project Manager, The Community Project, Laughton Lodge, Lewes
  • Mel Nock, Treasurer, The Community project, Laughton Lodge, Lewes
  • Max Comfort, Springhill Cohousing, Stroud
  • Mark Johnston, The Courtyards, Bradford upon Avon
  • Mark Westcombe, Lancaster Cohousing
  • Maria Brenton, Older Women's Cohousing (OWCH)
  • Robert Copcutt, Enlinca, Cambridge
  • Alan Heeks, The Threshold Centre, Dorset
  • John Goodman, head of policy and the regions, Co-operatives UK

*Co-opted members:
Martin Field and Dan Olner

Aims of the Network

The aims of the Network are:

  • Develop as a resource point for new and forming cohousing groups
  • Provide an advice point for planners, registered social landlords, and other professionals
  • Seek ways of making cohousing as financially accessible as possible
  • Develop and maintain the cohousing website
  • Promote & signpost workshops for individuals and forming cohousing groups
  • Promote cohousing via the media
  • Raise awareness of cohousing
  • Undertake further lobbying & policy development including the contact with Baroness Kay Andrews, Minister for Sustainable Communities.

UK Cohousing Network - contact details

Company Limited by Guarantee. No 6313462.
Registered address: 15 Laughton Lodge, Laughton, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6BY
Project Manager: Sarah Berger
Contact Sarah via her contact form. Tel: 01323 815727

Scandinavian Cohousing - report on conference and visits to communities - May 2010

Wed, 08/18/2010 - 15:46 — admin

International Collaborative Housing Conference, May 2010, Stockholm and Cohousing Tour of Sweden and Denmark

Cohousing Internships in US for Architects

Tue, 08/10/2010 - 11:38 — admin

Following the successful visit and sharing of expert cohousing knowledge by US architects Katie McCamant and Chuck Durrett in April 2010, interest was expressed in the possibility of internships for UK architects.

Call to forming cohousing groups to provide information for HCA

Mon, 07/26/2010 - 17:38 — admin

If your group seeks or has sought funds from the HCA for your cohousing proposal please complete the attached form. The HCA wishes to track emerging groups and understand what support might be needed. This information is important for the development of the cohousing sector.

UK cohousing conference 2010: perspectives - plus, give us your feedback

Sat, 05/08/2010 - 12:11 — admin

See below for two perspectives on the recent UK cohousing events. Were you there? If so, it would great to hear your comments - you can add them by clicking 'add new comment' at the bottom of the page, or clicking here. What worked, what didn't, what did you gain from the events?

Maria Brenton, Older Women's cohousing, London:

Creating Cohousing Together and other events - a shot in the arm for cohousing in the UK!

The series of conferences, workshops and seminars organised by the UK Cohousing Network in conjunction with Hanover Housing Group in the last week of April were a resounding success. Warm thanks go out to all who contributed to making it happen and all those who participated. Thanks are particularly due to Hanover and the Tudor Trust, whose financial backing was key to all the events.

Prospect Co-housing, New Vision Statement:- Mission and Principles defined

Thu, 02/04/2010 - 15:27 — richardJ

Our vision is of a caring society in which people cooperate with each other and with nature to create a sustainable world, recognising that all are interconnected.

Prospect intends to establish a thriving co-housing eco community based on permaculture principles as an example of truly sustainable rural development.
* Our community will be one of vitality, beauty and abundance.
* Our land will be cared for to enhance biodiversity as well as lead to increased and sustainable yields.

Info for media

Cohousing groups get many enquiries from the media and the UK Cohousing Network is keen to provide the media with information and case material to raise awareness of this alternative form of living.

Although some established projects, such as the Threshold Centre, and Springhill may be happy to be interviewed, a number of established cohousing schemes are reluctant to have media exposure as the residents want to protect the privacy of their private homes.

For media enquiries please use our contact form, choosing 'press queries' from the menu.

Or if you would like to contact someone by phone or post, please use one of these contacts:

  1. Sarah Berger, UK Cohousing Network, The Community Project, 15 Laughton Lodge, East Sussex, BN8 6BY.
    • 01323 815727 ; 07754 596424
  2. Alan Heeks, The Threshold Centre, Cole Street Farm, Cole Street Lane, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5JQ.
    • 01747 835835
  3. Maria Brenton, Older Women's Cohousing (OWCH), 74 Inglethorpe St, London, SW6 6NX.
    • 020 7385 6239 , 07974952419
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