CooperativesA cooperative is a form of enterprise in which everybody agrees to work together (cooperate) for the good of all, and to share the benefits. It requires a strong belief in the ideal. Setting up a cooperative is very like becoming a self-employed partner. For some people, the attraction lies in the security of working with other people in a joint enterprise, while for others it lies in being able to influence the direction of the venture. Cooperatives range from community transport services and housing associations to agricultural land and purchasing groups. A cooperative may offer a more flexible way of working as it will often accommodate members who need to vary their normal working hours because of other commitments.
Communes and intentional communitiesA commune, or intentional community, is an alternative lifestyle and style of work that may appeal to graduates who feel alienated by the ethos of large corporations. The basic definition of a commune is a group of people, not all of one family, sharing accommodation and goods. Different communities have different reasons for existing and the philosophy behind each one may also determine the activities pursued. For example, some see themselves as having a mission to campaign for a particular cause or to provide an example of how to set up a viable and effective alternative lifestyle with beliefs and values different from the social norm. Living in an intentional community is usually a departure from conventional work and lifestyle, and some find it a rewarding and fulfilling experience. See Diggers and Dreamers for suggestions.
LETS - local exchange trading schemesLETS are local community-based schemes based on exchange and bartering systems without any exchange of money. Community credits earned by providing a service, e.g. IT or accountancy, can be used to ‘purchase’ services you need. For information see LETSlink UK.
Self-employmentIf you are ‘your own boss’, so to speak, it is up to you to determine when and where you work. However, this freedom is likely to be constrained by when your clients or customers work and/or deadlines dictated by them or the market you’re producing for. The experience of most new businesses is that, in order to succeed and get the business off the ground, you have to work far more in the first year or so than the average employee. See self employment for further information.
Self-employed business opportunitiesBe cautious of these opportunities, advertised in terms such as ’Be your own boss’ or ‘Earn lots of money working from home in your own time’. They may require initial outlay and long hours with little reward. There is usually a requirement to register with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as self-employed for tax purposes.
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