We Care | We Support | We Empower!
Explore who we are, what we do and why.
We’re a not-for-profit co-operative owned by our workers, delivering a range of services and programmes for the local community.
Name: Voluntary Action Harrow C.I.C
Acronym: VAH
Logo: .png or .jpeg
Slogan: We Care | We Support | We Empower!
Established: 2011
As a co-operative, we operate under a non-hierarchical structure; everyone matters. When it comes to decision making, governance and salary structures, everyone’s skills are valued equally which creates a more unified approach to running our organisation. Having a more unified organisation means greater support to and for each other as well as higher levels of engagement and productivity. We are able to sustain our method of running Voluntary Action Harrow by a strict adherence to policy, openness and accountability.
What’s a non-profit?
Non-Profit organisations are businessed with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.
Why did we choose a co-operative?
We wanted our workers to be part of the everyday running of the organisation, and to have a say in its strategic objectives. This workers-based approach was at the heart of our decision to become a co-operative.
How does a worker co-operative differ from a charity?
Both a co-operative and a charity are dedicated to doing good work and working hard for the benefit of the community. However, a worker co-operative is solely worker-owned and run; unlike a charity, there is no board of trustees. We’ve found that this unified approach in running the organisation has greatly increased our productivity, our levels of engagement and support – not only for the community, but also for one another.
Values: Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
Principles:
Seven International Co-operative Principles
