On International Volunteers Day (5 December), we celebrate the army of people who freely give their time and skills to support community businesses across the UK. Andrew Dubock, Plunkett UK’s Communications Manager, shines a light on the important part that volunteers play in raising the funds to get a community ownership project off the ground.
Volunteers are the bedrock of community-owned businesses.
Within Plunkett’s network of 800 trading community businesses, which are equally and democratically owned, it is estimated that over 11,500 volunteers regularly support community shops and 3,500 are at community pubs. That averages 28 volunteers in a shop and 19 per pub. People are willing to invest their time because they know the benefits such a business brings for individuals, communities, the local economy, and the environment.
There is a literal investment too: community shares. These are a withdrawable, non-transferrable equity investment into a Cooperative or Community Benefit Society. Since 2012, over £200m has been raised by more than 126,000 people in community shares across the UK. In the 190 community pubs known to Plunkett, over 41,000 people have become shareholders, raising over £38 million between them through community shares.
To understand volunteers' roles in raising money through community shares, let’s visit Nympsfield and Peterstone, two villages aiming to reopen their local pubs under community ownership.
Volunteers assemble! – The Rose and Crown Inn, Nympsfield
Nympsfield is a small village in Gloucestershire, located within the Cotswold AONB, and with a population of about 450 people. The last remaining pub in the village, the Rose and Crown Inn, closed in March 2023 due to chronic underinvestment.
Nympsfield Community Pub Limited was registered as a Community Benefit Society in April 2024 with an objective to purchase, renovate and reopen the Rose and Crown Inn. It negotiated an exclusivity deal with the owner prior to publishing the business plan and launching a £400,000 community share offer in September 2024. The share offer closes on 31 January 2025, which coincides with the end of the exclusivity period, and to date it has raised £199,000.
Matthew Burke, Chairperson, says, “We were able to rapidly assemble an army of volunteers organised into various different working groups, each with its own terms of reference but sharing one common purpose – to save the pub. Buying, renovating and reopening the pub is going to be a long process with twists and turns along the way and our challenge is to maintain this momentum through regular communication and celebrating wins along the way.”
The groups are responsible for writing the business plan and share offer prospectus; securing targeted funding that de-risks the plan and achieves the community share standard mark; organising and delivering three events; and publicising the campaign effectively.
Three fundraising events have been incredibly successful with over 300 people attending a pop-up pub in the car park in May 2024, nearly 200 people at an Open Gardens event in August 2024, and 90 people packing out the village hall in November for a Promises Auction. Combined, these events raised £13,500.
Matthew says, “As the project evolves from purchase to renovation, we will engage with volunteers who have building experience – surveyors, architects, trades and DIY – and then to gain advice and guidance from a number of landlords as we move towards appointing a tenant and opening the pub. When the pub is trading again, we will need members to stand for and be elected to our management committee. For a community-owned pub, the motto is ‘once a volunteer, always a volunteer’!”
A strong sense of ownership – The Six Bells, Peterstone
Peterstone is a village on the coast road linking Newport and Cardiff in South Wales. The Peterstone Wentlooge Community Benefit Society is looking to purchase and renovate The Six Bells, which has been a landmark of the Gwent Levels dating back to the 16th Century. The pub has been closed since 2018 and the group is looking to rejuvenate it as a Community Hub to also include a café, shop and visitor information centre.
A community share offer consultation in March 2024 established the appetite for a community-led funding model. It started with a community engagement event, also livestreamed on Facebook for those unable to attend. Thousands of leaflets were distributed to neighbouring villages and local establishments, each featuring a QR code to online community share pledge form, project details and updates. An expanded printed newsletter with a physical form was also created to ensure inclusivity.
A community shares offer will be launched in early 2025. The group has also recently launched a GoFundMe page after securing agreement with the owner of the Six Bells to sell – but with him requiring a £10,000 deposit. The group managed to raise this money via an event and the GoFundMe page within a matter of weeks.
From surveys, community events and regular coffee mornings to volunteer workshops, local voices have shaped every stage of the project. Social media and newsletters have kept everyone informed and engaged. Local businesses, partnership organisations and residents have also contributed ideas, time, and resources to keep the momentum going.
Amanda Reynolds from the group says, “Volunteer roles have ranged from organising events and baking cakes to distributing leaflets and engaging the wider community. Their dedication has not only raised funds but also fostered a strong sense of ownership and pride in the project.
Amanda adds, “Volunteers will remain vital throughout the project. At this stage we are still looking for people with specific skills including project management and finance. During renovations, they’ll assist with practical tasks alongside professionals. Once operational, they’ll help staff the shop and Discovery Centre, support events, and lead environmental efforts. This will create opportunities for skill-building and deeper community engagement.”
As the only UK-wide organisation supporting community businesses at every stage of their development, Plunkett UK provides universal access to specialist advice and support, and advocates for a ‘Community Rights to Buy’ assets, improved funding and policies to help these businesses get set up.
Further reading / resources on volunteering
Volunteer recruitment – an alternative look
https://plunkett.co.uk/volunteer-recruitment-an-alternative-look/
Volunteering Guide
https://plunkett.co.uk/volunteering-guide/
Recruiting, retaining and training volunteers – webinars
https://plunkett.co.uk/recruiting-retaining-and-training-volunteers/
Funding a Community Business with Community Shares
https://plunkett.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Plunkett_CommBus_Comm-Shares_…
To find out more, visit plunkett.co.uk.