Cultural Social Enterprise
Wave Graphic Design Co-operative - the art of working together
Wave Graphic Design Co-operative.......
- A creative co-operative helping to regenerate Hastings
- Providing progression for local graduates
- Contributing to the development of the creative industry
Around 21 years ago a trio of idealistic graduates straight out of college had the bright idea of setting up their very own graphic design business. It was 1987 and entering the cut-throat world of the workplace seemed a rather scary prospect. Instead they decided to pool their collective talents and passion for fair work practice and positive change. And so Hastings-based Wave Graphic Design Co-operative was born. 
Part of Wave's mission is to provide communications and a professional creative service to the charity and not-for-profit sector. Identifying such a gap in the market all those years ago has seen it go from strength to strength – there are now 11 members. Wave was a shining example of a successful social enterprise before the term was even coined!
Founder member Felix Lozano explains that when Wave was first set up, many not-for-profit organisations didn't really have access to good design, in fact they didn't put effective communication high on their agenda at all: “There was more a culture of 'anti-design'. People were self-conscious about being seen to spend money on such things”. Wave's commitment is about changing that concept. As Felix says”, It is possible to communicate without opulence; be attractive without being flashy”.
Wave is set up as a Worker's Co-operative and is a Limited Company. This means its constitution obliges it to follow certain work practices, providing fair working conditions and a livelihood for its members. Its longevity is a testament to its success and the fact that it has grown from three to 11 members means that something is obviously working! As a co-operative, Wave prides itself on maintaining its equitable and democratic status. In practice this is achieved by monthly collective meetings, used to discuss everything from finance to the washing-up rota, and as the organisation has grown there are sub-groups within the collective to ensure that overall collective principles are adhered to.
While undoubtedly being successful its own right, Wave's positive effects as a social enterprise are far more wide-reaching. The fact that its clients are themselves part of the not-for-profit sector, means that they in turn are able to communicate their goals and purposes all the more effectively. Clients include University Centre Hastings, Seascape (a local regeneration agency) and COPES (a support service for children and their families in local rural areas).
Being based in Hastings and trying to source new members locally obviously has a beneficial effect on the economic regeneration of the immediate area. Part of the ethos of any co-operative is to give back to the community and to contribute to local regeneration in other ways. As one of the leading creative organisations in the region, Wave regards helping with the arts as just as important as physical regeneration. With this in mind, Wave members have taken up posts on steering groups for the South East Enterprise Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Enterprise Hub. Wave's Sally Lampitt feels raising local morale and awareness of a sense of community as a core value: “It is a case of we are worth it and we want it!”
Wave also feels that business should establish links with education. In 2005, it established an apprenticeship scheme in conjunction with Hastings College of Art and Design. Its first 'graduate' is now pursuing a successful career for a socially aware company in London and Wave is hoping to secure funding for another such apprentice in the near future.
Wave has forged strong links with local government over the years. Right from the start they were offered valuable encouragement and advice from the Co-operative Development Officer at Hastings Borough Council (sadly a post that no longer exists), and pointed in the right direction for funding. Wave received a substantial grant/loan from the Prince's Youth Business Trust. It also borrowed from Industrial Common Ownership Finance, now known as Cooperative and Community Finance, as well as from specialist lending organisation Triodos Bank.
Felix Lozano is boundlessly enthusiastic about the benefits of setting up as a co-operative social enterprise. “It means that you can lead by example. You can adhere to your social objectives both internally and externally. Your core values and principles are constantly reviewed, unlike other organisations who may jump on the ethical bandwagon but when looked at more closely don't necessarily stand up to scrutiny. The difference in a co-op is that everyone involved is able to control their own destiny”. Sally Lampitt, another Wave member, agrees, “It is very empowering, team-work is inherent and motivation is never a problem. Everybody cares!”
From the ongoing success of Wave it would seem that the co-operative model is an ideal route to take when thinking about setting up a social enterprise – long may they surf the sea of positive change.
More information
http://www.cooperatives-uk.coop - The national representative body for Co-operatives
http://www.ica.coop - The international representative body for Co-operatives
http://www.global300.coop - Statistics for the top 300 global co-operatives
http://www.co-opandcommunityfinance.coop - Specialist co-operative and social enterprise loan organisation.
copyright © 2008 Cultural Social Enterprise