Membership
How the membership works
Oxford Wellbeing Coop is building a cooperative home for wellbeing practitioners who want to work collaboratively, ethically, and in service of community care.
Membership is voluntary and open to practitioners who align with our values. We’re opening membership in stages, taking care to grow in ways that are sustainable, democratic, and responsive to real community needs.
To support shared infrastructure and fair development of the co-op, membership includes a tiered fee structure designed to remain accessible while contributing to the collective sustainability of the organisation.
Membership is a balance of contribution and benefit: financially, practically, and relationally. Members contribute not only through fees, but also through participation, collaboration, and shared responsibility for the life of the co-op.
Membership pathways
We currently offer two ways to engage, depending on how you’d like to be part of the co-op.
For practitioners who want to be part of the co-op’s network, shared learning, and collaborative opportunities.Core Membership includes:Access to the member network and peer supportQuarterly member meetingsSocial and networking eventsCPD workshops and training opportunitiesWebsite profile and social media promotionAccess to policies, safeguarding and governance supportOpportunities to engage in funded work and partnerships
❋ Core MembershipFor practitioners who want all the benefits of Core Membership, plus access to physical space for practice and delivery.Core + Space Membership includes:All Core Membership benefitsAccess to physical space at reduced or included ratesDiscounted or limited free access to event spaceOpportunities to run sessions, workshops or events through the co-op
❋ Core + Space MembershipWhat to expect
Membership is for practitioners who want to be part of a cooperative, not just a listing or platform.
You may be a good fit if you:
Offer wellbeing, therapeutic, or community-based support
Value shared decision-making and mutual responsibility
Are committed to inclusive, ethical practice
Want to contribute to a collective approach to wellbeing
We welcome a diversity of practices, identities, and lived experiences.
❋ Who's it for?
As the Coop develops, membership is intended to offer:
A supportive network of aligned practitioners
Opportunities to contribute to shared programmes and initiatives
Peer connection, learning, and reflection
Collective visibility through Coop communications and activities
Access to space, where relevant, through the appropriate pathway
Members contribute to, and benefit from, the shared resources and reputation of the Coop, with decisions shaped collectively rather than top-down.
❋ What the membership offers
Being part of Oxford Wellbeing Coop means practicing in alignment with shared values.
These include:
Commitment to accessibility and inclusion
Awareness of structural inequalities and lived experience
Care for practitioner wellbeing and sustainability
Willingness to engage in reflection, dialogue, and collective decision-making
A commitment to community care as well as individual practice
We’re building a coop where collaboration strengthens both practitioners and the communities they are rooted in.
❋ Shared Values and Practice
As a cooperative, we aim to work in ways that are transparent, participatory, and accountable.
This includes:
Shared decision-making where possible
Clear communication about finances and priorities
Collaboration with other cooperatives and community organisations
Opportunities to contribute through time, skills, outreach, events or shared development,
We believe cooperation strengthens both practitioners and the communities they serve.
❋ Working Cooperatively
Where are we now?
The Oxford Wellbeing Coop is now moving into its next phase of development.
We’re currently:
Finalising our secondary rules and membership framework
Opening membership gradually to a first cohort of practitioners
Introducing two membership pathways: Core Membership and Core + Space Membership
Developing clear application and review processes
Strengthening the co-op’s governance, shared ways of working, and member support structures
We’re committed to growing at a pace that protects both members and community, and to shaping the co-op in a way that is values-led, sustainable, and responsive to real need.
Applying for membership
We’re opening membership gradually and reviewing applications on a rolling basis.
Our process includes:
Completing an application form
An initial review focused on values alignment, collaboration, and fit
An informal conversation or opportunity to connect
A prospective membership period before full membership is confirmed
This process is designed to be supportive, relational, and clear — for you and for the co-op.