We are a self-managed project, meaning that each and every single one of us is expected to contribute working hours to maintaining and running the coop by taking on some responsibility in the form of a role. With 106 members, the co-operative is a great place to learn new skills! There are chances for business training, practical skills training, the chance to lead workshops and learn organisational skills and about processes like consensus decision-making.
We organise our work horizontally (i.e. we strive to eliminate hierarchies) in Working Groups (WGs) with various roles. Each WG meets once a week; proposals from WGs are brought to a bi-weekly General Meeting (GM) for wider co-op discussion and approval. The Working Groups are:
Places
Putting the ‘operation’ in ‘co-operation’. Find out in this WG why the building looks as good as it does and how all the appliances are still working. If you’re good with your hands or keen to learn, this is for you.
Places WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings (key duties include organizing, minuting, and facilitating meetings, as well as supporting all of the WG members in their roles and keeping on top of all the projects in the WG)
28 Basement Coordinator: Oversee the use of the 28 basement workshop, keeping it tidy and ensuring that all the tools are used safely and correctly.
Flat and Communal Cleanliness Coordinator: Perform flat cleanliness checks and pest control education and organise the cleaning of communal spaces
Courtyard Manager: Maintain the courtyard and garden (this role mainly involves keeping the courtyard tidy and clear of clutter, as well as organising bike audits and making sure the bike shelter is properly maintained. there is some opportunity to garden and keep up the planters in the courtyard, but most of the work revolves around courtyard maintenance).
Places and Maintenance Budgeteer: Manage the Maintenance and Places WG budget and reimbursements
Supplies Stock Liaison: Manage stock of communal supplies (keeping track of when communal supplies run out and ordering new stock from our supplier, Greencity Wholefoods)
Librarian: Build and care for the ESHC Library (this is an ongoing project, main duties will include building library shelves and sorting the collection of books)
Fire Warden, Security, and HMO Coordinator: Ensure fire safety and HMO standards are met, and ensure security of coop buildings. Main duties include checking the fire alarms and running fire alarm tests, as well as liaising with the HMO people to ensure that we are meeting their standards.
Maintentance
Maintenance WG keeps the buildings safe and efficient, responding to any maintenance issues in the coop, either helping to fix them or put flats in contact with contractors for more serious issues.
Maintenance Co-convenors: Convene the weekly working group meetings (key duties include organizing, minuting, and facilitating meetings, as well as supporting all of the WG members in their roles and keeping on top of all the projects in the WG).
Maintenance Request Responder: Respond to maintenance requests from flats. This is a good role for anyone with experience in or interested in learning DIY and basic repair skills.
Washing Machines Coordinator: Oversee the communal washing machines, including repairs and replacements.
Membership
Membership WG oversees all the administrative tasks relating to the processes of moving in and out of the coop – applications, leases, subletting, etc.
Membership WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings (key duties include organizing, minuting, and facilitating meetings, as well as supporting all of the WG members in their roles and keeping on top of all the projects in the WG)
ESHC & Membership Emailer: Manage the coop’s general email inbox, send emails out to applicants and respond to general queries (or direct them to the appropriate role holder)
Website Manager: Manage the ESHC website, including general website updates but especially updating when applications open and close
Applications Coordinator: Oversee the application process of new members and communicate relevant information to other members of Membership WG. Main duties include: sending out the application forms, and coordinate the vetting and selection of new members, coordinate the waiting list, and keep a clear list of incoming members to communicate to other relevant roles within Membership
Moving Coordinator: Coordinate members moving in and out. This role works closely with the Welcome Coordinators. The main duties of this role include: sending leases to new members, getting them signed up to all the coop’s systems, doing inventory checks of members’ rooms before they move out, sending out the right paperwork to end leases to members who are moving out, and dealing with landlord reference requests from alumni. This is a good role for anyone who enjoys admin tasks.
Flat Allocator: Assist the process of flats choosing new flatmates, help people move flats within the coop if they want to, and coordinating with other roles in Membership once decisions are made
Subletting Coordinator: Oversee the process of subletting in the coop (providing members with the necessary info about subletting, liaise with finance about active sublets, and maintain a form where people can register interest about subletting and letting out their room for short periods of time)
Welcome Coordinator: Ensure that new members have a smooth transition into the co-op by organising welcome events and coordinating the buddy system
Finance
Money money money! The Finance WG makes sure we’ve got the bucks to continue existing and flourishing, and that bills are paid on time. Artfully balancing budget sheets and dealing with invoices is your thing? You’ll fit right in here.
Finance Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings (key duties include organizing, minuting, and facilitating meetings, as well as supporting all of the WG members in their roles and keeping on top of all the projects in the WG)
Rent Manager: This role deals with keeping track of rent payments, invoicing members monthly, matching incoming payments with invoices, and communicating with members who have outstanding rent payments. This is a good role for anyone interested in gaining experience with financial stuff and accounting software such as Quickbooks
Deposits and Shares Manager: Make sure people pay their deposits and shares, and track people who have not paid them. Make sure people are being re-paid properly when they move out.
ESHC Budgeteer: Plan and keep track of the overall ESHC budget
FCA and HMRC liason: Submit mandatory filings such as Annual Returns to FCA on behalf of ESHC as a mutual society. This is a good role for anyone with experience in or interest in gaining experience in a financial role
Rent Reductions Manager: Manage the rent reductions process, liaising with rent managers, rent reductions taskforce, and members applying for rent reductions.
Energy Manager: Keep track of the coop’s energy usage, and ensure energy bills are taken care of. This role can also involve finding solutions for keeping our energy usage as efficient and low as possible
Bank Signatory: Manage ESHC’s bank account & do reimbursements
Participation
The participation working group is responsible for all the internal, democratic structures of the co-op, working to ensure that people are able to get involved and make their voices heard. This working group handles things like organising the General Meetings, overseeing the division of labour in the co-op through the Work Share Plan system, and also running social events to facilitate connection within the co-op
Participation WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings (key duties include organizing, minuting, and facilitating meetings, as well as supporting all of the WG members in their roles and keeping on top of all the projects in the WG)
General Meeting Co-convenor: Organise bi-weekly general meetings
Policy Manager and Archivist: Document and keep track of all active policies passed at GMs, provide assistance in finding past GM policies as needed
Work Share Plan Coordinators: Coordinate the Work Share Plan, assigning members to roles based on their interests and skills, and making changes to the role system as needed. Work with the Training and Handover Coordinators to ensure that new role-holders get handovers
Training Coordinator: Find and organize trainings when needed (e.g., anti-racism training, de-escalation training, maintenance and repair trainings). Work with the Work Share Plan Coordinators to ensure that new role-holders get handovers
Internet Specialist: Maintain the coop’s internet and intranet. This is a role suited for people with experience and skills in IT, and/or an interest to learn
Communications and Outreach (C&O)
This group deals with all things related to external communication and outreach. The roles within this WG include managing our website and socials, working with external groups, applying for funding opportunities, campaigning for fairer, alternative models of housing at Scottish Parliament, and liaising with our landlord.
C&O WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings (key duties include organizing, minuting, and facilitating meetings, as well as supporting all of the WG members in their roles and keeping on top of all the projects in the WG)
Communal Space Coordinator: Oversee use of the 34 basement, handling all booking enquiries and use of the space by both members and external groups
Website Manager: Manage the ESHC website from an outreach standpoint
C&O Emailer: the C+O emailer is responsible for reaching out to other organizations and staying in touch with them over email
Partner Organisation Liaison: Liaise with organisations the coop engages with and would like to stay in touch with
Cooperative Outreach Coordinator: Coordinate outreach efforts to other co-ops
Property Developer: Search for new opportunities and properties for future coops. This role has also involved campaigning for further support for housing coops at Scottish Parliament, etc.
PfP and Advisory group Coordinator: Handle communications with PfP (our landlord), and liaise with our Advisory Group to see what help they can give us
Social Media Manager: Maintain ESHC’s social media accounts
Alumni Member Networker: Develop and maintain a network of coop alumni, helping keep alumni connected to the coop and informing them of any events, etc. at the coop that they are welcome at
Grants Application Coordinator and Taskforce: Research and apply to grant opportunities, and manage the funds and projects of successful applications. We received a 20k community fund for 2 years (2024-2026), and so this role will involve a lot of coordinating the projects involved (the monthly community meals being one of them!), managing and tracking budgets, and creating the reports to send back to the National Lottery Fund when required
Welfare
Conflict resolution, upholding the Safer Spaces Policy and supporting members is their realm. So if you’re concerned for the welfare of others and have a knack for mediation and peer-counselling, Welfare WG might be your place.