There's plenty going on at Carbon Co-op, a new low carbon social enterprise developed by OpenSpace tenant Jonathan Atkinson working alongside URBED Co-op and Kindling Trust.

The Greater Manchester social enterprise sector came together in November for Together Works 2010, a business networking event held at MadLab, Manchester. Organised by OpenSpace member, lowwintersun, for Together Works, the social enterprise network for Greater Manchester, it was attended by social enterprises, support agencies and funders. Social businesses and co-operatives present include FC United, Victoria Baths and Co-op Group. The lively event included a panel discussion on the threats and opportunities for social enterprise in 2011.

Journalist Helen Clifton, has recently published an article in the Big Issue in the North, looking at the growth of co-operatives in the region. Helen was a member at OpenSpace and though new to the co-operative sector was won over by her experiences here. As well as featuring OpenSpace, Helen has talked to the Busy Bee toy co-operative from Chorlton, Manchester and the Nenthead Community Shop from Cumbria.

Today's Sunday Times features an article on co-operative consortia, people or businesses who come together to form mutual trading units. Consortia are particularly common in the agricultural sector but the benefits of sharing costs and overheads have seen the model growing in popularity.

Click here to view the article.

While setting up OpenSpace we received loads of help and support from the Co-operative Group. They provided advice and a grant which helped us establish ourselves, do some marketing and build our mezzanine.

If you are setting up a co-operative enterprise they offer a range of free services. You can find out more information here.

And of course we're always happy to provide hints and tips on setting up a co-working project like OpenSpace.

OpenSpace Co-op have launched a best practice guide - a set of documentaries charting the set up and establishments of our co-operative co-working project.

Created by film maker Damien Mahoney the videos can be found on OpenSpace's YouTube channel.

They look at the co-operative's set up, how it works, the reasons for choosing a co-operative model, information about OpenSpace's members, background on Hulme and hopes and reflections.

OpenSpace is a co-operative for small organisations and freelancers working in the creative, environmental or social enterprise sectors.

At 6pm on Wednesday 9th September 2009, OpenSpace and film maker Damien Mahoney are launching a series of short films documenting how we set up and established our co-working space.

Come along after work to help us celebrate and make some links and contacts with other people working in social enterprise and co-operatives.

We now have new desk space available at OpenSpace. Depending on interest it is available for full time or part time rent.

If you are interested in taking it please let me know and we can arrange a visit if appropriate.

OpenSpace, based in Hulme, Manchester, is a co-working co-operative for freelancers and small creative and social enterprise businesses.

You can rent desk space full time or part time basis, if you become a member you receive a 30% discount.

Check out the new OpenSpace advert, designed to appear in the next edition of Manchester social enterprise magazine, Enterprising - http://openspace.coop/sites/default/files/os_quarterpageadvert.pdf