What is cohousing?
Cohousing is a way of living which brings individuals and families together in groups to share common aims and activities while also enjoying their own self-contained accommodation and personal space.
Cohousing communities are a means of compensating for the alienating effects of modern life where neighbours don't recognise each other and where day-to-day collaboration is minimal. They offer particular benefits for children in terms of secure play-space and shared activities with their peers. Older people can also find companionship and mutual support in such communities.
The main features of cohousing communities are:
- They are set up and run by their members for mutual benefit
- Members are consciously committed to living as a community
- Developments are designed to encourage social contact and a sense of neighbourhood among members.
- Common space facilitates shared activities like community meals and other amenities like laundries, heating systems, guest rooms, transport, etc may be shared
Cohousing in the UK
There is a rapidly-growing UK interest in cohousing - take a look at our map of UK projects. There are an increasing number of groups seeking sites and many individuals seeking a group to join. There are ten fully-established cohousing communities in the UK, some having started up in the late 60s and established by 1970 before the word 'cohousing' was in use: Postlip in the Cotswolds, the Community Project, in Laughton near Lewes, Thundercliffe Grange near Rotherham, Trelay Farm in Cornwall, Canon Frome in Wiltshire, Springhill in Stroud, and the Threshold Centre in Dorset. Smaller cohousing schemes include Stroud Co-flats, Frankleigh co-flats and The Courtyards near Bradford upon Avon. All are based on owner-occupation, although the Stroud community has three shared ownership units. It is difficult to pin down the exact number of groups as they are constantly in flux. We estimate there are 25 - 30 forming groups currently functioning, with another tier of up to 60 loose coalitions interested in cohousing.
To find out more:- click here for more information on cohousing
- click here for a full list of our news stories - or take a look at the 'latest' news column on the right.
The UK Cohousing Network website is a repository of information from many people. When reading an article, note whether it has an author beneath the title. If it does, that piece is the author's own views. This site hopes to encourage the sharing of as many viewpoints as possible so we can support each other in developing cohousing. But note that only un-named articles can be attributed to the UK Cohousing Network.
Springhill photo © Alexander Caminada.
Expressions of Interest Sought
Fri, 12/14/2001 - 20:11 — adminThe UK Cohousing Network are interested in receiving expressions of interest from organisations or individuals to provide external supervision and support to the co-ordinator.
The contract would be for an initial 12 months; an all inclusive fee of up to £4000 is available.
For further information, please see the attached brief.
Interested parties should submit a short proposal giving details of their qualifications and how they might fulfil the brief by 22 January to recr...@cohousing.org.uk putting “expression of interest” in the subject line.
Building starts very soon on Britian's first ever affordable and ecological cohousing
Thu, 12/29/2011 - 19:21 — AlanArticle in this week's Yorkshire Post:
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/country-view/environment/dreamers_ma...
DREAMERS MAKE OWN VERSION OF GOOD LIFE COME TRUE
Estate agents are fond of describing the houses they’re trying to sell as “dream homes”.
However for two properties currently on the market in West Yorkshire, the description seems particularly apt – although thankfully, there is not an estate agent in sight.
Expressions of Interest Sought
Fri, 12/23/2011 - 20:18 — adminThe UK Cohousing Network is interested in receiving expressions of interest from organisations or individuals to provide external supervision and support to the co-ordinator.
The contract would be for an initial 12 months; an all inclusive fee of up to £4000 is available.
For further information, please see brief
Interested parties should submit a short proposal giving details of their qualifications and how they might fulfil the brief by 22 January to recr...@cohousing.org.uk putting “expression of interest” in the subject line.
The UK Cohousing Network seeks a Coordinator
Fri, 12/23/2011 - 19:00 — adminThe UK Cohousing Network was set up in 2004 to promote and develop cohousing in the UK.
We wish to appoint our first Coordinator to take the Network to its next stage of development. We are looking for an energetic and self motivated person who will work from home and will be supported by a part time project worker.
The postholder will:
NEW BOOK: Cohousing in Britain: Diggers & Dreamers Review
Fri, 12/23/2011 - 14:44 — adminThis new publication from the Diggers & Dreamers collective is focused upon a look at how Cohousing is faring in the UK and is a follow up to the previous release of 'Thinking about Cohousing' in 2004. A wide range of Cohousing practitioners and projects have contributed to the book, and it gives an engaging picture of how Cohousing communities are progressing in modern Britain, and what they are doing to generate success.
£12.00, paperback, 164 pages, numerous black and white photographs and plans
Cohousing course in Dorset, February 2012
Tue, 12/20/2011 - 19:27 — TinaCohousing course at the Threshold Centre 17th - 19th February, Dorset
The workshop provides an opportunity for individuals or groups to experience life in a cohousing community for a weekend, at the same time learning how to go about setting up a project. They are very popular, so book early to secure a place.
International conference, 12-13 March 2012, Tours
Tue, 12/13/2011 - 09:13 — adminSelf-Managed co-Housing : born out of need or new ways of life?
International conference organised by Studium, CITERES and MSH Tours, 12-13 March 2012, Tours (France)
December 2011 Newsletter
Mon, 12/12/2011 - 15:32 — adminPlease link to December Newsletter
Happy New Year
Frome Cohousing - Winter Newsletter & October AGM
Sun, 12/11/2011 - 19:00 — adminFROME COHOUSING GROUP
Winter Newsletter
December 6th, 2011
SUMMARY OF THE AGM OF FROME COHOUSING CIC
30TH OCTOBER 2011
Greetings co-housers!
Twenty-three people attended the first AGM of the Frome Cohousing CIC and a very positive gathering it was to.
The CIC is a Community Interest Company, not for profit, where each member has a vote. Attendees included CIC members, as well as non-members who have shown an interest in Frome cohousing. The meeting was chaired by Tim Cutting, one of the three CIC directors.
